How to Price Your Photography as a Beginner

February 2, 2026

How Much Should I Charge for Photography?

Beginners usually charge $100 to $200 for portrait sessions, $25 to $75 per hour for events, and $300 to $1,000 for full-day weddings. Your exact price depends on your location, experience level, and what you’re shooting.

The formula is simple: calculate all your yearly costs (gear, software, insurance, marketing, studio rentals), add your desired income, then divide by how many sessions you can shoot per year. That’s your minimum rate. If your area’s market won’t support that number, you need to lower expenses or shoot more.

How Much for a Photographer per session?

According to industry pricing data for 2024–2025, a two-hour portrait session costs between $100 and $300 for beginners. This typically includes 15 to 30 digital photos that have been edited.

But remember: two hours of shooting means six to eight hours of total work. You’ll spend time on client communication, travel, setup, shooting, editing, and file delivery. If you charge $200 for the session but work eight hours total, you’re making $25 per hour before expenses.

Quick 30-minute sessions (like headshots or mini-sessions) typically run $75 to $150 for beginners. You give fewer images – usually 5 to 10 edited photos.

Short sessions still require editing time, client communication, and setup. Even though you’re only shooting for 30 minutes, you’ll spend another hour or two on the full workflow. Price accordingly.

Understanding Your Real Costs

Before setting any prices, know what you’re actually spending. Add up everything: camera gear, lenses, memory cards, editing software subscriptions, computer upgrades, insurance, website hosting, marketing, gas for travel, and studio rentals.

A camera doesn’t last forever. Lenses get damaged. Software needs monthly payments. These costs must be built into your pricing or you’ll lose money on every shoot.

Then add your time. That “simple” portrait session isn’t two hours. It’s client emails, driving to the location, setting up lights, shooting, culling hundreds of photos, editing the keepers, and sending files. Six to eight hours is normal.

Your break-even formula: yearly expenses ÷ number of sessions you can shoot = minimum price per session.

Example: $30,000 in expenses and desired income ÷ 100 sessions = $300 minimum per session.

How Do I Price Myself as a Photographer?

Investigate your local market first. Use Google to find local photographers. To find out the cost of a session, visit their websites. Become a member of local photography groups and inquire about average prices.

Industry pricing ranges for beginners:

Portrait sessions: $100-300 (1-2 hours)
Event photography: $50-200 per hour
Wedding photography: $500-1,500 (full day)
Real estate: $100-300 per listing
Commercial work: $800-2,000 day rate

Pick where you fit based on your experience level. If you’re rand new, start at the lower end. If you already have a decent portfolio, aim for mid-range.

Calculate your minimum rate using the formula above. If the market won’t support your minimum, either you have to cut costs or find ways to shoot more sessions.

You also need to test pricing with real clients. If they book every session immediately, you’re probably too cheap. Getting zero inquiries? You might be too high. Adjust based on response.

Pricing Models That Work

Hourly rates: Good for events where timing varies. Charge $30-100 per hour as a beginner. Include editing time in your calculation.

Session packages: Flat rate for the shoot plus a set number of images. Example: $250 for two hours with 20 edited photos. Clients know exactly what they’re paying.

Per-image pricing: Commercial work often uses this. Charge $25-150 per image depending on usage rights.

Day rates: Flat fee for a full day of shooting. Commercial photographers charge $800-2,000+ per day.

Pick the model that fits your photography type and makes pricing clear to clients.

Cutting Costs With Studio Rentals

Monthly studio rent costs $1,500 to $3,000. That’s $18,000 to $36,000 per year – a huge expense when you’re starting out.

Rent by the hour instead. You only pay when you actually need space.

FD Photo Studio has 62+ budget-friendly studios in Los Angeles and New York starting at $29.99 per hour.

All lighting and grip equipment is included at the studio: three strobe lights, wireless triggers, c-stands, light modifiers, and sandbags. Every studio also has free WiFi, makeup station, clothing rack, changing area, and full-body mirror.

Additional equipment like continuous lighting, LED panels, and fog machines are available for rent when you need them. Paper backdrops are available for an additional price.

Check out all available equipment, both on-site and rental here.

The package system saves more money. Buy 4-hour, 8-hour, or 12-hour packages and get up to 40% off. A 12-hour package can get you studio time for as low as $29.99 per hour. Hours never expire and can be split across multiple shoots.

Need a blackout studio? You have 1,200 square feet of controlled lighting in the Los Angeles Hill 2 blackout photo studio with RGB walls and spotlights.

Want natural light? Daylight photo studio with rose wall and southwest-facing windows in Los Angeles Art 3. The windows provide steady light throughout the day, and the rose wall adds a decorated backdrop option.

Looking for decorated sets? The French loft photo studio with bedroom and living room sets in Los Angeles Loft 1 works for lifestyle shoots with ready-made environments.

Common Pricing Mistakes

Charging too little: Feeling guilty about your prices won’t pay your bills. If you calculated your costs correctly, charge what you need.

Forgetting editing time: A $100 two-hour shoot that takes four hours to edit pays $17 per hour before expenses. Count all your time.

Too many free shoots: Build your portfolio with a few free sessions, then start charging. You can discount for friends, but make it clear these aren’t your normal rates.

Competing solely on price: Someone will always offer a lower price. Being the least expensive option won’t help you build a business.

Scope creep: The client schedules an hour but requests five outfit changes and three locations? It’s not a one-hour session. Clearly define the boundaries of the package.

Increasing Your Prices

You can raise prices after the first year or two. A waiting list of clients, consistent referrals, a stronger portfolio, and additional skills are signs that you are ready.

Increase gradually. Rather than doubling overnight, try increasing by 20–30% at a time. Maintain the previous rates a bit for current customers while charging new ones.

Your pricing should grow with your skills and costs. What works in year one won’t work in year three.

Ready to Rent Your Studio?

1. Browse Available Studios: Visit our studio rental page to explore all 62+ locations

2. Check Equipment Lists: Review our completed equipment list

3. Rent Your Studio: Use our 24/7 online booking system to secure your preferred date and time

4. Receive Your Check-In Code: Get your self-check-in code to access your studio seamlessly

Call us at +1 (323) 454-2323, or email us at info@fdphotostudio.com. We also have a live support chat on our website where you can get directions, request help, or ask questions.

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How to Price Your Photography as a Beginner

How Much Should I Charge for Photography?

How Much for a Photographer per session?

Understanding Your Real Costs

How Do I Price Myself as a Photographer?

Pricing Models That Work

Cutting Costs With Studio Rentals

Common Pricing Mistakes

Increasing Your Prices

Find a Photo Studio near you

L.A. Studios

N.Y.C Studios

Rent Studio

Clients Review

Events

Have Any Questions?