How Photographers Can Quote Shoots and Packages

A photography quote is about more than the time you press the shutter. Editing, delivery and how the pictures can be used often make up most of the value, so they need clear wording.

Decide what you're pricing

Include these in your costs:

• Shooting hours and second photographers
• Travel, permits and equipment hire
• Culling and editing time
• Albums, prints and storage

As a rule of thumb, for many shoots, editing takes longer than shooting. Price accordingly.

Offer packages

Three simple packages make it easier to choose. For instance: 4 hours with 100 edited photos, 8 hours with 300 photos, and a full-day package with a second shooter and an album. State whether all images, or only selected edits, are delivered.

Define delivery

State the format and timing: "Edited photos delivered by online gallery within 21 days." Say how many revisions are included, and how long you'll keep the files. Raw files often aren't included, so say so.

Be clear about usage rights

This matters particularly for commercial work. A business might pay more depending on how and where images are used. Write something like:

"Includes usage on the client's website and social media for 2 years. Advertising use requires a separate licence."

Also say whether you may use the photos in your portfolio.

Booking and cancellation

Your date is your stock: once it's booked, you can't sell it to another client. Take a non-refundable booking fee where permitted, with the balance due before the shoot or before final delivery. Explain what happens if the event runs over time, and state your overtime rate.

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