How much will your wedding and event photography cost?
Columbus, OH 43215
Photographers on Thumbtack charge$265 - $483
National average fixed price
- Lowest price:$
- Most common low price:$265
- Most common high price:$483
- Highest price:$
How much do photographers charge?
By Thumbtack Staff
Last updated Wed, Jan 22
Nationwide, photographers charge an average of $358 for their services, according to Thumbtack data. On the low end, pros generally charge an average of $265; the high-end cost is $483. However, some professional photography services (especially wedding photography) can cost more than $1,000.
Average photography prices
| National average cost | $358 |
|---|---|
| Low-end average cost | $265 |
| High-end average cost | $483 |
A key factor in pricing is the type of photography services you need. Do you need a photographer to take photos at an event like a wedding? Or, do you want to go into a studio and take photos?
From wedding photos to headshots, here’s everything you need to know about the cost of hiring a photographer and how to get cost estimates from pros near you.
What's in this cost guide?
- Average photography prices
- Professional photography price list
- How much does a photographer charge per hour?
- How much does a wedding photographer cost?
- How much does portrait photography cost?
- How much are headshots?
- How much do real estate photographers charge?
- How much are commercial photographers?
- How much do engagement photos cost?
- How much do pet photographers charge?
- How much do sports photographers charge?
- How much do nature photographers charge?
- How much is a boudoir photo shoot?
- How much does aerial photography cost?
- How to save money on professional photography services
- Tips for hiring the best photographer
- Find an affordable photographer near you
Professional photography price list
| Service | Average total cost | Average total cost range | Average hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerial photography | $333 | $233-$475 | $125 per hour |
| Boudoir photography | $338 | $245-$467 | $200 per hour |
| Commercial photography | $440 | $299-$645 | $198 per hour |
| Engagement photography | $319 | $256-$398 | $200 per hour |
| Headshot photography | $304 | $216-$427 | Data not available |
| Nature photography | $268 | $202-$356 | $150 per hour |
| Pet photography | $262 | $197-$347 | $150 per hour |
| Portrait photography | $277 | $212-$362 | Data not available |
| Real estate and architectural photography | $305 | $236-$394 | $150 per hour |
| Sports photography | $333 | $251-$441 | $150 per hour |
| Wedding and event photography | $756 | $569-$1,005 | $150 per hour |
All prices in the table above reflect national average pricing.
How much does a photographer charge per hour?
While some photographers charge their clients a flat rate, others will charge by the hour. The national average hourly rate for professional photography services is $164 per hour. The average low-end rate is $122 per hour, and the average high-end rate is $364 per hour.
Photographer hourly rate
| National average cost | $164 per hour |
|---|---|
| Low-end cost range | $122 per hour |
| High-end cost range | $364 per hour |
Ultimately, this fee will depend on several variables. For example, the type of event (wedding photography, real estate photography, portraits, private shoots, etc.) and the time of year can impact costs. A studio, special camera or equipment, and the need for an assistant can drive prices up as well.
A professional photographer may be willing to negotiate to come up with a pricing strategy, flat rate or package that works for both of you.
Compare prices from Photographers near you.
How much does a wedding photographer cost?
The average cost of wedding photography is $872 total. Wedding and event photographers have either a flat or hourly fee, but many offer their clients wedding photo packages as well.
| Flat rate cost range | Average flat rate | Hourly rate cost range | Average hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| $656-$1,158 | $872 | $125-$450/hr | $150/hr |
Your wedding photos can get expensive, however, depending on the time of the year, how many photos you need and how many hours the photographer needs to work.
Rates may also depend on the type of delivery — if you want your wedding album in print instead of in an online gallery, for example — if the photographer needs to travel far to your wedding and their experience level.
How much does portrait photography cost?
The national average cost of portrait photography is $277, and prices range from $212-$362. Senior, graduation and family portrait pricing may vary depending on the shoot's location (shooting indoors vs. outdoors, or in your home vs. the studio). The pro may charge less to shoot at their studio because they won’t have to bring their equipment to a remote site.
| National average cost | $277 |
|---|---|
| Low-end average cost | $212 |
| High-end average cost | $362 |
The number of photos you need and your desired format may also impact portrait pricing. For example, larger photos that are 8-by-10 generally cost more than 4-by-6 photos. Digital downloads or digital images, a CD or DVD, a flash drive or an album, and physical proofs and prints are common delivery options.
And, finally, the type of portrait will impact pricing. The following are examples of average portrait costs:
| Portrait type | National average cost |
|---|---|
| Solo | $219 |
| Graduation | $232 |
| Couples | $251 |
| Maternity | $263 |
| Newborn | $266 |
| Family and children | $269 |
| Wedding | $334 |
How much are headshots?
Headshots for marketing, glamour, acting, corporate and professional purposes are an important part of the photography business. On average, professional headshots cost $304 in the U.S., and prices typically range from $216-$427.
| National average cost | $304 |
|---|---|
| Low-end average cost | $216 |
| High-end average cost | $427 |
The number of wardrobe changes, duration of the shoot, number of downloads and extras like a make-up artist (or a stylist) can all impact headshot pricing. For corporate headshots, the number of employees who need photos will also determine how much you end up paying. The type of headshot also impacts pricing:
| Type of headshot | National average cost |
|---|---|
| Passport | $175 |
| Acting | $203 |
| Social media | $206 |
| Professional | $207 |
| Modeling | $220 |
| Glamour | $236 |
Find a top-rated Photographer near you.
How much do real estate photographers charge?
In the U.S., hiring a real estate photographer will cost you $305 (or $150/hr), on average The amount of time the pro will be at the site, the quality of the photography (advanced editing, lighting, etc.), the size of the property and the need for aerial photographs can impact the price.
| Flat rate cost range | Average flat rate | Hourly rate cost range | Average hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| $236-$394 | $305 | $123-$272/hr | $150/hr |
For example, a real estate photographer near you may charge around $500 to $600 for a residential shoot that lasts around five hours, while another may charge over $2,000 for a commercial job that involves multiple structures.
How much are commercial photographers?
On average, commercial photography rates range from $299-$645 (or $125-$370/hr) in the U.S. Whether it’s product photography, commercial real estate or trying to capture a company’s atmosphere, the cost generally varies by the type of photo shoot, the time needed to complete the job, equipment, traveling, licensing and post-production retouching fees.
Commercial photography pricing:
| Flat rate cost range | Average flat rate | Hourly rate cost range | Average hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| $299-$645 | $440 | $125-$370/hr | $198/hr |
Some commercial photographers will negotiate flat-rate packages, while others will simply charge by the hour and may have a per-image charge.
How much do engagement photos cost?
Engagement photos cost a national average of $319, with prices ranging from $256-$398 (or $150-$499/hr). How much you’ll pay depends on the location, the number of locations, the length of the photo session, and the number and type of photographs you want. For example, you may want traditional posed photos, outdoor photos, candid photos or artful composition and lighting photos.
| Flat rate cost range | Average flat rate | Hourly rate cost range | Average hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| $256-$398 | $319 | $150-$499/hr | $200/hr |
Depending on the pro, they may charge an hourly, flat or day rate.
How much do pet photographers charge?
The national average cost of pet photography ranges from $197-$347. A pro will generally base their pricing on the number of pets, the location of the photo session (home, outdoors, photo booth or studio) and whether the family will also be in the photo.
| Flat rate cost range | Average flat rate |
|---|---|
| $197-$347 | $262 |
Any a la carte items the professional photographer may be offering — such as wall art, watercolor portraits or albums — may have additional costs.
How much do sports photographers charge?
Hiring a sports photographer will an average of $333 (or $150/hr) in the U.S. The location, the number of games to photograph, the size of the prints, retouching, the photographer’s reputation and experience, and any add-ons will impact how much you pay.
| Flat rate cost range | Average flat rate | Hourly rate cost range | Average hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| $251-$441 | $333 | $96-$420/hr | $150/hr |
Two key factors to keep in mind are the type of sport and the access the pro has to it, as they may need to bring a specific camera and lens for certain sports. Sports photographers will charge an agreed-upon fixed rate, or they may charge by the hour.
How much do nature photographers charge?
Expect to pay an average cost of $202-$356 (or $111-$200/hr) for a nature photographer. Professionals charge by the number of shots needed, how much traveling they need to do and the formats you request.
| Flat rate cost range | Average flat rate | Hourly rate cost range | Average hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| $202-$356 | $268 | $111-$200/hr | $150/hr |
A nature photography business may also vary its price based on the subject. Landscapes, people, plants, animals and wildlife may incur different costs based on the location and time needed to complete the shoot.
How much is a boudoir photo shoot?
Boudoir photography costs an average of $338 (or $200/hr) in the U.S. This type of photography is a sensual exploration of beauty, and the cost of a photo shoot depends on several things.
Boudoir photography pricing:
| Flat rate cost range | Average flat rate | Hourly rate cost range | Average hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| $245-$467 | $338 | $150-$499/hr | $200/hr |
The first factor is the location of the session. Some people prefer to shoot at their homes, in the outdoors, in a studio or in a hotel. The length of the photo shoot, number of photos and any outfit changes will also affect boudoir pricing.
Get free estimates from top-rated Photographers.
How much does aerial photography cost?
National average aerial photography rates range from $233-$475 (or $102-$367/hr). Aerial photography is often used for marketing, real estate and other needs.
| Flat rate cost range | Average flat rate | Hourly rate cost range | Average hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| $233-$475 | $333 | $102-$367/hr | $125/hr |
A major factor that affects the price is the number and type of buildings that need to be photographed. This can include houses, office buildings, retail spaces or a housing community. The platform type — drone, plane, helicopter, etc. — is another major cost factor.
Lastly, similar to all photography rates and pricing, the desired format and number of photos needed affect the cost.
How to save money on professional photography services
Hiring a photographer doesn’t have to cost a fortune. If you're on a tight budget, use the following tips to save money:
Book far in advance. Book months in advance, if possible. And find out what the peak and off seasons are for the photographers you're considering. For example, if you need a wedding photographer, avoid booking one during the spring or summer (which is peak wedding season). Booking during a peak season for local photographers will almost always incur higher costs.
Review their packages. Many pros offer packages where the price per photo decreases as you order more photos.
Ask about mini-sessions. Instead of having a photo shoot that spans multiple hours across several locations, ask if they offer mini-sessions that last 15 to 30 minutes. You could still get the photo(s) you need — but save yourself time and money.
See what discounts they offer. It doesn’t hurt to ask, and there might be a promotion available.
Hire an up-and-coming photographer. Seek out new or semi-professional photographers who show a lot of talent and are looking to grow their portfolios. They may be willing to offer you lower-than-average prices for their services.
Request free estimates from several pros. Gather quotes from three to five different photographers near you to find the best deal. You might even be able to leverage your cost estimates to negotiate a lower cost with the No. 1 pro on your list who might be a little over your budget.
Tips for hiring the best photographer
To find the best photographer in your area, search for pros online and look for those who have consistently high ratings and customer reviews. Read their profiles to get an idea of their style and personality, and pay attention to all the photos they’ve posted.
Also, ask them if they can work within your budget, whether they’re willing to travel, what equipment you’d need to provide and if they have any packages or discounts.
Find an affordable photographer near you
Talented photographers are everywhere, and knowing what the average costs are and what questions to ask will help you track down the perfect match for your needs. Start looking for affordable photographers near you on Thumbtack.
*A note about project costs featured in this article: Figures represent national average cost estimates using data provided by Thumbtack pros and additional research. These figures are provided for educational purposes only and are subject to change at any time due to various factors. Details about your specific project and local rates can impact costs.
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