You’re in the middle of drafting the budget for your upcoming event when you realize you have no idea how much to allocate for event photography. You’re still in the planning stages, so you’re not ready to search for a specific photographer yet, but you need a general idea for your budget.
Don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place—Sickening Events’s event photography pricing guide.
With nearly 20 years of experience in the events industry, we’ve collaborated with countless photographers and event organizers. We’re here to help you find the perfect photographer for your event without having to make endless phone calls.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- How much does an event photographer cost?
- What factors affect event photographer pricing?
- How to find the perfect event photographer
- Tips for negotiating a fair event photography price
How much does an event photographer cost?
Event photographers typically charge between $150 and $400+ per hour, influenced by several factors (which we’ll explore in the next section).
For instance, Miami-based Fortune 500 photographer Gustavo Fernandez charges $400+ per hour, with the following add-ons:
- $350 for live images
- $400 for an additional photographer
- $175 for same-day social edits
- $300 for next-day delivery
On the lower end, Dora Photography offers a $150 business package that includes:
- Up to 20 minutes of shooting time
- One retouched photo of your choice, downloadable in high-resolution JPEG format
When you hire an event photographer, you’re paying for their specialized equipment and skills, their time and labor during the event, and post-production editing time.
What factors affect event photographer pricing?
Comparing photography price lists on websites is helpful, but it doesn’t account for the specifics of your event. Here are some major factors that influence event photography costs:
Your event’s location and travel
Location significantly impacts pricing. The cost of living varies across different cities and states, which affects hourly rates and wages.
For example, the cost of a two-hour photoshoot can vary widely across different cities in Florida. Additionally, if your event is in a remote location, you’ll need to pay a premium to cover the photographer’s transportation costs.
The kind of event you run
The type of event you’re hosting also greatly affects rates. Here are some average prices for different event types:
- Birthday party: $300–$500
- Corporate event: $350–$2,500 per day
- Wedding: $1,150–$3,000
- Concert: $300–$1,000
The price difference between a $300 birthday party and a $3,000 wedding reflects the photographer’s professional experience, location, and other factors.
The photographer’s experience
Experience greatly impacts pricing. Expert Photography notes that top professional photographers can charge up to five times more than a student photographer for the same event.
The question is: How much experience do you want your photographer to have? For weddings or high-profile events, you might prefer someone experienced in capturing special moments, but this will come at a higher cost. For smaller gatherings, people are less likely to spend hundreds of dollars on photography, so ensure the rates align with your ticket prices.
You’re in the middle of drafting the budget for your upcoming event when you realize you have no idea how much to allocate for event photography. You’re still in the planning stages, so you’re not ready to search for a specific photographer yet, but you need a general idea of your budget.
Don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place—Sickening Events’ event photography pricing guide.
With nearly 20 years of experience in the events industry, we’ve collaborated with countless photographers and event organizers. We’re here to help you find the perfect photographer for your event without having to make endless phone calls.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- How much does an event photographer cost?
- What factors affect event photographer pricing?
- How to find the perfect event photographer
- Tips for negotiating a fair event photography price
How much does an event photographer cost?
Event photographers typically charge between $150 and $400+ per hour, influenced by several factors (which we’ll explore in the next section).
For instance, Miami-based Fortune 500 photographer Gustavo Fernandez charges $400+ per hour, with the following add-ons:
- $350 for live images
- $400 for an additional photographer
- $175 for same-day social edits
- $300 for next-day delivery
On the lower end, Dora Photography offers a $150 business package that includes:
- Up to 20 minutes of shooting time
- One retouched photo of your choice, downloadable in high-resolution JPEG format
When you hire an event photographer, you’re paying for their specialized equipment and skills, their time and labor during the event, and post-production editing time.
What factors affect event photographer pricing?
Comparing photography price lists on websites is helpful, but it doesn’t account for the specifics of your event. Here are some major factors that influence event photography costs:
Your event’s location and travel
Location significantly impacts pricing. The cost of living varies across different cities and states, which affects hourly rates and wages.
For example, the cost of a two-hour photoshoot can vary widely across different cities in Florida. Additionally, if your event is in a remote location, you’ll need to pay a premium to cover the photographer’s transportation costs.
The kind of event you run
The type of event you’re hosting also greatly affects rates. Here are some average prices for different event types:
- Birthday party: $300–$500
- Corporate event: $350–$2,500 per day
- Wedding: $1,150–$3,000
- Concert: $300–$1,000
The price difference between a $300 birthday party and a $3,000 wedding reflects the photographer’s professional experience, location, and other factors.
The photographer’s experience
Experience greatly impacts pricing. Expert Photography notes that top professional photographers can charge up to five times more than a student photographer for the same event.
The question is: How much experience do you want your photographer to have? For weddings or high-profile events, you might prefer someone experienced in capturing special moments, but this will come at a higher cost. For smaller gatherings, people are less likely to spend hundreds of dollars on photography, so ensure the rates align with your ticket prices.
The degree of photo editing required
Finally, consider how much post-production work you want or if you’ll handle the editing yourself.
Are you looking for a quick turnaround with minimal editing, or do you want your photographer to invest time to make your images pop?
For example, Casey Brodley, a Michigan wedding photographer, shows a significant difference between before and after edits. For a wedding, you’d likely prefer edited photos, while for a corporate event, raw files might suffice.
How to find the perfect event photographer
Ready to start looking for a photographer for your event? Follow these five tips to capture the day with the perfect event photographer:
Get clear on your expectations
What you pay depends on the details of your event. Provide your photographer with detailed information about your expectations so they can factor it into their quote. Consider how many photos you need, what they should capture, the amount of editing required, on-site time, additional equipment, and your total budget.
Reach out to your network
Ask friends, colleagues, and fellow organizers for recommendations. They can provide insights into typical photography rates in your area. Join Facebook groups for event planners to expand your network, such as EventProfs Mastermind and Event Planners Gather.
Take your search to the web
Use social media to ask for recommendations and explore relevant groups on Facebook and Reddit. Platforms like Snappr can help you find local photographers and manage photo editing and delivery. Check other event websites for photo credits to find photographers whose work you admire.
Use portfolios to find your perfect photography partner
Review each photographer’s portfolio to see if they’ve shot similar events and have the right experience. Look for photos that match your desired style or feel. For example, Tamara Knight’s portfolio categorizes different event types for easy browsing.
Search for reviews
Read reviews from previous clients, especially those who hosted similar events. Public reviews on platforms like Trustpilot offer more objective insights compared to testimonials on the photographer’s own site.
Tips for negotiating a fair event photography price
Event organizers often negotiate pricing with photographers to stay within their budget. Here are some tips:
Negotiate on the package price, not the hourly rate
Ask for a discount on a package rather than the hourly rate. For instance, request a six-hour package for $2,000 instead of the standard $2,400.
Only negotiate with photographers close to your price range
Negotiate within a reasonable range, such as 5–10%, or up to 20% for larger packages. Avoid drastic reductions that could be seen as disrespectful.
Think about other benefits you could provide
Consider offering non-monetary benefits, like featuring the photos on a high-traffic website or Instagram account. Ensure any “extras” are part of a paid package, not a substitute for payment.
Be as detailed as possible in your vendor contract
Contracts are crucial for detailing the scope of work and avoiding future issues. Include specifics like on-site time, number of photos, delivery timeframe, post-production work, charges, payment terms, and any additional requirements.
Frequently asked questions
What should be included in an event photography package?
Packages typically include photography time, editing and retouching, a specified number of photos, equipment, pre-event consultation, and travel costs.
How much is a photoshoot for a concert?
Concert photography generally costs between $300 and $1,000, either as a package deal or a fixed hourly rate.
How many photos should an event photographer take?
Expect around 50–80 photos per hour. A two-hour event might yield 80–160 photos, depending on the event’s length and specifics.
How much to pay a photographer?
Many factors influence photography rates, including location, event type, duration, and the photographer’s experience. Ensure you research and pay a fair price for your area.
With your photographer locked in, you can move on to the next item on your event planning checklist: choosing an event theme.
