There’s an old adage that says, “A picture is worth a thousand words,” and this is most certainly true for a
This is why product photography is such a critical part of any ecommerce business.
Some business owners may try to take the pictures themselves, but others may opt for professional product photography.
Of course, the first question that comes up in this case is how much product photography costs. There is no one answer to this question, as it can have a huge range based on several factors.
That’s precisely why we put together the below guide to product photography pricing.
Commercial Product Photography Pricing
As mentioned above, commercial product photography pricing can vary based on several factors. At a very general level, a business can expect to pay around
However, some options will be more expensive, and a business typically needs more product images than just this one.
Let’s take a look at what factors play a role in pricing and the general ranges.
Photographer experience
The first factor that contributes to that wide range is the photographer’s experience. After all, a professional studio or product photographer will likely be significantly more expensive than hiring an amateur freelancer.
This isn’t to say there is anything wrong with choosing a freelancer, other than that it may be of lower quality than the work of an experienced professional. Not only will an amateur have less skill and experience, but they may not have the excellent equipment that a professional will likely have either.
Pricing models
The other factor is that every photographer has different pricing options. Some may charge per image, others may charge hourly, and some may charge per day or project.
The right choice can depend on how many images a business needs, what kind of images, and how many iterations will be needed to achieve the ideal photos. These are all points that should be kept in mind when searching for product photographers.
Pricing ranges
Based on the above factors, here are some general pricing ranges that a business may encounter.
- Hobbist/Beginner photographer —
$10-25/image or $50/hr: This will be the cheapest option, as beginner photographers want more exposure. This can be great for a limited budget, but it may not result in the highest quality photos. - Amateur photographer — $50/image or $100/hr: An amateur photographer may have some experience in product photography but not extensive, likely no formal education. This is another budget option, but quality will be a step up from beginner.
Semi-professionals — $100+/image or $150/hr: Asemi-professional photographer has much experience but does itpart-time. They will be a bit more of an investment but are a good balance between budget and quality.- Professional photographers/Studio — $500/hr: Hiring a professional photographer or studio will be the most expensive option, but also the highest quality. This is the most ideal option if the budget permits, as it will result in
top-tier images.
The above are far from precise pricing, as every photographer and their model can vary. However, they serve as a good range for businesses to determine what level they should look at based on their budget.
360 Product Photography Pricing
Ecommerce product photography pricing can also differ if the business wants specialized types of shoots, such as 360 product photography. 360 product photography is the type seen on websites where the product can be moved around to see all the angles of it.
360 product photography pricing can vary quite widely between companies, and it also depends on the number of images and how many frames are within the spin. Typically speaking, a business can expect to pay anywhere from $150 for basic 360 photography to upwards of $1,200 for a
However, this is one of the most appealing photo styles for an ecommerce business to have on its site.
Amazon Product Photography Pricing
Amazon is the largest
Before working with a photographer, be sure that they have experience photographing Amazon products, as the platform does have its own requirements for acceptable images.
Additional Expenses to Consider
The above gives a general range of what ecommerce owners can expect to pay for product photography. However, there can be additional expenses to consider for certain types of shoots, such as talent and props for any lifestyle photography sessions.
Moreover, some photographers or studios may have editing costs. Ideally, these are included in the overall product photography price, but this is not always the case. Store owners should also ask about the standard turnaround time, as they will likely need to pay a rush fee if they need to expedite the images.
The bottom line is that business owners should be sure to discuss these kinds of details with the photographer before deciding on anything. This helps to prevent any surprise fees or misunderstandings.
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