How much do Photographers cost?

Photographers are artists – they capture specific moments in time, in the best light, with the best angle. That photograph means the moment lasts forever and can tell a special story to others. Whether it’s your wedding day, 50th birthday or you want to capture a special relationship you have with a loved one, photographers can assure genuine emotions can translate into a still image. Australian photographers can charge an estimated $150 to $5,000 and more to capture these memories.

Popular types of photoshoots for Oneflare customers are portrait and group photography, wedding shoots and event photography. Here are the ranges Oneflare customers have received as quotes for these different photoshoots (please remember that these are just estimates. 

Photoshoot of baby laying in Autumn leaves. | Source: Brooke Amy Photography

The type of photography required is usually the main determinant of the cost of the job. There are many different service types and usually, a photographer will specialise in one.

Wedding – $600 – $3,500 average reported cost
For most of us, our wedding day is one of the happiest days of our lives that we want to remember for as long as possible. A wedding photographer can capture the most special and intimate moments between loved ones, giving you the opportunity to reflect many years later. Your pricing for wedding photography can heavily increase if you’re also looking for a videographer. Pricing for a videographer can start from $3,000 and reach up to $10,000 if you’re hiring a team and looking for a same-day edit.

Baby / children – $100 – $550 average reported cost
Having a child is considered one of the biggest joys of your life. Your child growing up can seem to pass you by quicker than you imagined, so some opt for their child to be photographed at the early stages of their life. This type of photography usually takes place in a photography studio.

Birthday / event – $100 – $600 average reported cost
A birthday or events photographer will roam around the event, taking photographs of guests – friends, family or colleagues. This is a more relaxed and casual way to photograph people, as opposed to photographing in a studio for a child.

Engagement – $150 – $600 average reported cost

Many engagement based photographers will attend an engagement party and roam and take photos of the couple and those in attendance. Some couples may also request an engagement photoshoot. These professional photographs can accompany the engagement announcement.

Commercial / Real Estate – $150 – $500 average reported cost

The cost of real estate photography can vary greatly depending on the type and amount of photos needed. The real estate photography pricing list can differ between $150 for basic shots to over $1,000 for more professional shots.

Pet photography – $100 – $300 average reported cost

Many pet owners are looking to professional photographers to capture the precious moments of their beloved pets. A pet photographer cost will vary depending on the animal and the types of photoshoot required.

Photograph of a girl dancing at a party. | Source: Maximiliano Perez de Villa

While the style, occasion or context in which the photography job occurs is a major determinant in the price of your photographer, there are other factors that will affect the price. This may include how you want to receive the photos in the end, or simply how the business prices its services.

How long do you need a hire a photographer for?

How long you hire a photographer for can drastically change your final quote. The more hours you need photography services for, the more your photographer will charge. The outcome of your final fee can also be influenced by how many photographers are needed. For example, capturing a wedding may require a team of photographers, which is why wedding photography is often the most expensive even to capture.

How do you want to receive the photos?
According to Oneflare data, receiving photos digitally via a CD, DVD or USB is the most popular way. All photographers will have a different method of pricing their services. Some may produce a final price based on the quality of the photos they provide, the amount of experience they have or even the cost of their equipment and materials used for the session. Some photography businesses may even price their services in comparison to competitors and undercut them to win more work. However it’s important to note that hiring the cheapest photographer may not always be the best choice – you have to make sure the photographer will get the job done brilliantly the first time.

The pricing model of the business
All photographers will have a different method of pricing their services. Some may produce a final price based on the quality of the photos they provide, the amount of experience they have or even the cost of their equipment and materials used for the session. Some photography businesses may even price their services in comparison to competitors and undercut them to win more work. However it’s important to note that hiring the cheapest photographer may not always be the best choice – you have to make sure the photographer will get the job done brilliantly the first time.

Do you wish to get a quote for a package?

For an event such as a wedding, you may require multiple different services from a videographer to a makeup artist to a DJ. You may be able to get a total quote for all the services you need in a combined quote. This is why the quote you receive for your, for example, wedding photography may be much higher than the photography estimates outlined in this guide. You can expect to pay within the thousands for a wedding photographer service that includes hair and makeup applications.

The format of your final images

Your final quote will inevitably cost more if you’re wishing to have your images printed physically. Some customers prefer to opt for a digital copy of their photographs or videos and print them at their own leisure.

Happily married couple walking down the aisle. | Source: Tamara Little Photography

Past work
Different photographers embody different personal styles and preferences for the work they produce. In order to hire the right photographer for your job, it’s a good idea to look at the business’s past work to determine whether their style suits the photography you desire. Most Oneflare business profiles upload a portfolio of their work, which makes it even easier to make your hiring decision.

Specialty
Knowing the photography business’s speciality can help you make the right decision when hiring. Perhaps the business specialises in weddings or mainly do product photography for commercial purposes. Whatever they have experience in, the more likely they are to do a good job in that photography type. You want to find a photographer that is not only experienced but also one that you feel comfortable with.

Reviews
Reviews from past clients is another indicator of whether the business will be suited to your needs. Customer testimonials on the business’s Oneflare profile can let you know whether the business listened to the customer’s needs and was easy to work with, and more importantly if they produced work that met the client’s expectations.

* The cost data is based on Oneflare and third-party sources