Photography Pricing: How To Compare Photographer Costs
Edmonton is significantly saturated with hundreds of photographers that offer an endless amount of services at varying costs. It can be overwhelming to look at different portfolios and price ranges and wonder — how do I compare photographers and choose the right one for me?
While the cost of a shoot is certainly not the only consideration you should make when choosing a photographer, it can definitely tell you a lot about how the experience will be.
This article will break down the different price ranges and what to expect from each. Not only will it help you have a better understanding of what to expect from certain photographers but you will also know what questions to ask so you can make an informed decision when it comes time to choose the right one for you.
Free Photography Sessions
Free photography is obviously self-explanatory but there are still important things to consider when booking a photo session at no charge to you.
#1 Quality of Images
The first thing to know about free photography is it is often offered by people who are still learning. That means there is no guarantee that the images will be of good quality or that you will receive any at all.
If you are mostly interested in getting a feel for the experience of being photographed and not as concerned about the images themselves, this can be a fun way to step out of your comfort zone and give posing a try. It is also a great opportunity for a photographer who is eager to learn and grow their portfolio.
#2 Safety of the Experience
Although rare, I have heard some unsettling stories from my own clients about free photography experiences they have had in the past. One thing to watch for is if a photographer tells you to come to your session alone and insists that no one is allowed to wait for you either in another area in their studio or at a nearby location.
While it is perfectly normal for photographers to deny plus ones or not allow other people in their studio during the session, you should always be allowed to either receive a ride to the shoot location or have someone you trust wait nearby i.e. a neighbourhood coffee shop, etc.
Another thing to watch for is if a photographer makes any suggestive or inappropriate comments that give you a bad feeling before your scheduled shoot. If something feels off before you even step in front of the camera then it is probably best to follow your gut and look elsewhere.
#3 Security of Your Consent
Photographers who are just learning are more prone to making mistakes. One of the most common of these mistakes is sharing your photos without your consent. This can include all your photos or even the ones they took that you find unflattering.
Many starting photographers that lack experience will often choose the photos they deem best to share and they can be different from the ones you might choose. Seeing photos you didn’t want shared is one thing, but when you walk away feeling good about a session only to see a photo you hate of yourself being shared publicly, when there were many you did like, can also change how you might feel about the experience.
While it is usually understood that free photo shoots mean the photographer has full rights to your images, you should always discuss consent beforehand. Take the time to understand their policies and make sure the photographer has proper model release forms. Realizing your photos have been posted online without your knowledge is never a good feeling.
Questions To Ask Before Booking a Free Photography Shoot
Where is the photoshoot location?
Is it private or public?
Can I bring someone?
Can someone wait in the lobby/neighbourhood for me?
Do you have a page, social profile or website to confirm your identity?
Will my photos be shared publicly?
Can I choose the photos being shared?
Can I retract my consent if anything changes?
Photography Sessions Under $400
This is often referred to as the ‘Shoot and Burn Photographer’ — a phrase that comes from doing a photo shoot and then burning the photos onto a disc. This is the type of photography most clients are familiar with and is the most saturated category of photography in Edmonton… leaving a lot of room for quality variation. Here are a few things you should consider before booking this type of photography session.
#1 Quantity Over Quality
In these types of sessions, you will often see photographers promising either an uncertain amount of photos (i.e. 10 - 30 images) or a large number of photos (i.e. all images included or 100+). Although not always the case, it can be a sign of an inexperienced photographer who is unsure how many good photos they can take in a session. That being said, there are many people who would rather receive a bunch of imperfect photos than a few perfect ones. It all depends on what you want.
#2 Lower Quality of Editing
When you are offered a bunch of photos in a gallery for a flat price this usually means photos will also be edited in batches instead of getting individual love and attention. Aside from a few small touches, each photo gets a quick copy-pasted edit to accommodate the number of photos being offered at a faster turnaround. This type of photography usually doesn’t include individual edits to each photo for things like removing hairs from the face, swapping a frown for a smile, skin retouching, lint removal, etc.
#3 Little Flexibility
Photographers in this price range usually have another job. Photography will more than likely be their passion project while their other job pays the bills. This means their other job is their primary focus which leaves less time to plan details around individual photoshoots, answer questions, and edit photos. This also means you can usually expect longer turnaround times when it comes to receiving your final images.
#4 Little Experience Posing
Photographers in this category are often still slightly inexperienced and are still growing their businesses. One of the common shortcomings that come with a lack of experience is the confidence to pose clients. They might direct a pose based on something they saw online, something better suited for a different body type, repetitive poses, or not help you pose at all. Good posing takes a lot of experience and looks different for each person. This might not be an issue for clients who are looking to get a lot of photos or are confident posing themselves.
#5 Lack of Print Options
Photographers within this price range are less likely to offer print products. If a client does want prints but the photographer has little to no experience printing, it can also lead to prints from low-quality labs. Sometimes, photographers may not offer print services at all which means you will have to do it yourself. However, many professional labs only work with photographers so it ultimately leaves you with fewer options overall.
Questions To Ask Before Booking a Shoot and Burn Photography Shoot
Can I see your portfolio?
What is your turnaround time?
Do you have client reviews?
Do you offer print options?
Should I come prepared to pose myself?
What is your availability?
Photography Sessions $400-$900
In the $400 - $900 price range, we often find more professional photographers with experience in their field of work. Here are some things to consider when booking a photography session at this rate.
#1 Photo Selection
Photographers in this category might only offer a limited number of images from a session (5 - 7 pictures) but send you a giant gallery of 100 to choose from. While some people have no problem narrowing it down to their favourite images, many clients can find this process overwhelming. In some scenarios, the photographer may not even give you the option to choose your final images and instead choose for you.
#2 Editing Style
When you begin to gain experience as a professional photographer, you start to look into developing a style specific to your work. This may lead to inconsistent editing between photos or sessions.
#3 Problem Solving
Typically, photographers in this price range charge a lower rate with little wiggle room for expenses. Much of their rate goes into paying for hair and makeup, studio rental fees, and products. This means very little of the final cost goes directly into their pocket. So when something goes wrong i.e. you don’t love your makeup or you aren’t happy with the photos themselves, there is a lower chance they have the ability to fix things or offer any sort of refund or reshoot.
Questions To Ask Before Booking a Lower-Price Professional Photographer
Will I get the chance to view and select my own images?
Can I see your portfolio to understand your style of photography?
What are your policies for refunds, reshoots, and reprints?
Photography Sessions $1,000 And Up
There are a lot of photographers in this price range and their services can vary in cost dramatically — with some even charging up to $10,000 for a photo session. So what sets these photographers apart and what makes the experience worth the price?
#1 A Lot of Experience
Photographers in this price category usually do photography full-time. That means they have a lot of experience anticipating challenges and needs, and some can even answer questions before they are even asked. Many of these photographers also provide different style guides to help you prepare for your session with ease.
#2 Best Photo Selection
You will more than likely be required to meet a minimum purchase of 10 or 20 images - but you will likely want to buy more when you see them! Photographers in this price range are much more confident in the number of high-quality images they can provide.
Most of the photographers in this category also offer in-person sales sessions with their clients so that they can help you narrow down your selection of photos to your absolute favourites. Having their opinion and input can lead to easier decision-making. Even print products can be designed and finalized together with their expert advice. For example, my clients love the system I use to quickly narrow down their photos to the best of the best.
#3 Big Expense Budget
One of the best perks of working with photographers in this tier is their expense budgets. These types of photographers are focused on making sure they do their job well and leave the rest to other professionals. This means more budget for professional hair and makeup, professional printers, photo editors for the things they can’t fix, a client closet full of clothing options, a private studio experience, wiggle room for reshoots, and reprinting with no concerns.
#4 Years of Posing Experience
When you are an experienced photographer, it is much easier to anticipate common problems and pay attention to the details. For clients who struggle with posing or find themselves feeling awkward in front of the camera, choosing a photographer with a lot of experience will make your experience far more enjoyable. They will take control and direct you in the right poses so that you walk away from your shoot feeling like a supermodel. Professional posing truly is what takes this experience to the next level.
Questions To Ask Before Booking a High-End Photography Session
Will I get the chance to view and select my own images?
Can I see your portfolio to understand your style of photography?
What print products do you offer?
What are your policies for refunds, reshoots, and reprints?
How Do You Know Which Photography Session is Right For You?
Now that you have a general idea of what to expect from each photography session price range, how do you choose which one is right for you?
I recommend making a list of your priorities. If you feel shy in front of the camera, maybe having a photographer with a lot of experience posing their models will be a top priority for you. Perhaps having a lot of photos to choose from is more important to you than having perfect edits to a limited number of final images. Or, maybe you are prone to changing your mind and want a photographer that offers a lot of wiggle room in terms of editing and reshooting. Your top priorities will help you choose which photography session is right for you.
At the end of the day, it might just come down to what you can afford. If you feel like you want to deal with a more high-end professional photographer, perhaps saving for a few more months will be worth it. Or, if you are eager to book now with your current budget, it is always best to go in with the right expectations. Many high-end photographers like myself offer payment plans for clients. That way you can book a professional photographer and get the best photos while making monthly payment plans.
If you have more questions about photography pricing or what to expect from different photoshoots, feel free to contact me directly. I have been a professional full-time photographer here in Edmonton for over ten years and can answer almost any question you have when it comes to photography and price points.
Please remember that the information I provided above is a generalization to help you find the right photographer for you and may not reflect each individual photographer's offerings or experience.
