Feb 8, 2025

Product Photography Pricing (Cost Breakdown For Businesses)

woman working - Product Photography Pricing

Imagine scrolling through an eCommerce site, intrigued by a product. As you read the description, you start to picture how it would look in your home. You click on the product, but the image loads as a blurry, poorly lit photo with no detail—frustrating, right? Poor product photography can seriously hurt sales. Customers want crisp, clear images showing every angle and detail. The more, the better. So, how do you get those high-quality photos? That’s where product photography pricing comes in. This article breaks down product photography costs, helping your business set clear expectations for your next shoot.

Caspa’s AI product photography platform helps you achieve your objectives by streamlining your eCommerce photography process, allowing you to produce high-quality images at a fraction of the cost of traditional product photography.

Table of Content

Product Photography Pricing: How Much Does It Cost?

man working - Product Photography Pricing

High-quality product photography is an investment in the success of your online business. Product photographs can differentiate between converting potential customers and losing them to your competitors. And like any investment, conventional product photography comes with significant costs.

These include fees for professional photographers and rates for specialized photography studios. Post-production adds another layer of expense, not to mention the time and effort it takes for your internal teams to coordinate with independent photographers and conduct quality assurance.

Factors & Cost Ranges

Product photography pricing has too many variables to give a direct cost estimate for a shoot, but it is possible to narrow the range. Every company’s photography needs are unique and closely tied to its e-commerce strategy. Some businesses may only need simple product shots on blank backgrounds, while others require high-end, magazine-worthy productions.

Most companies fall somewhere between these two extremes, with varying levels of complexity depending on the product and branding. For example, when launching a new product line, a photoshoot isn’t just about capturing images, it’s about setting the visual tone for how those products, and future ones, will be presented to the public.

Estimates From Around The Industry

While no general estimate can encompass your company’s unique needs, you must request a quote. There are some industry averages to compare and contrast. These figures can help you start your journey into professional product photography services.

Typical Per-Image Pricing

Photography professional network Fash suggested that a shoot can range from $35 to $170 an image. The difference between those poles is explained by extra features such as necessary setup time, lighting requirements, photo editing, and post-production.

Impact of Experience

One of the most critical factors determining where a photoshoot’s price falls on the scale is the experience level of the product photographer.

Fash’s industry data indicates that amateurs typically charge $25-100 per hour or $25-50 per finished image, while professionals charge $100-300 per hour or $75 to $350 an image.

Alternative, Creative Photoshoots

Picsera noted the difference between per-photo shoots and those based on custom, creative requirements. For the latter, the project is billed by the day rather than by the image and can cost between $500 and $3,000 for a day of photography.

Additionally, there will be additional cost factors on top of the photographer’s fees, such as spending to reserve the location or buy the backdrop.

Costs for Different Shoot Types

Especially if your brand goes beyond product photography to arrange other types of photoshoots, you’ll see a wide range of price quotes. Regarding logistics and complexity, there is a vast difference between taking corporate headshots, capturing carefully art-directed lifestyle photos of products, and photographing utility infrastructure from a drone.

Factors That Affect Product Photography Pricing

two man discussing - Product Photography Pricing

When determining product photography pricing, the complexity of the products plays a pivotal role. Products with intricate details, unique shapes, or challenging textures may require:

Specialized equipment
Lighting setups
Additional time and effort from the photographer

Such complexity can contribute to higher pricing as it demands extra expertise and resources to capture the desired images effectively.

Quantity of Products: The More, the Merrier?

The quantity of products to be photographed can impact the overall pricing. Larger quantities may require more time and resources to set up and photograph each item individually, which can influence the cost. Photographers may offer bulk discounts for larger product volumes.

Location: Does Where You Live Matter?

The geographic location of the photographer can affect pricing due to variations in operating costs, market demand, and the overall cost of living. Photographers in metropolitan areas or regions with a higher cost of living may charge more than those in less expensive areas.

Expertise and Experience: Why You Want to Work With a Pro

The level of expertise and experience of the photographer can also influence pricing. Photographers with a proven track record, extensive portfolio, and industry recognition often command higher rates due to their expertise, skillset, and reputation.

Additional Services: What Else Could You Need?

Additional services such as advanced editing, retouching, image licensing, or specialized setups may incur further costs. These services go beyond the introductory photography session and require extra time, skills, and resources, leading to adjustments in pricing.

Reshoots: What If You Don’t Like the Photos?

A reshoot is possible if you don’t love the content captured at your first shoot! Most agencies, services, and freelancers can execute reshoots if an error occurs. But, depending on the situation, you’ll likely be charged another fee to capture additional shots.

Models: A Model Can Increase Your Sales

Adding a model to your photo shoot is proven to increase conversions. They can show how a product works and its use cases and give your customers a better perspective on how it could fit into their lifestyle.

There are several models to consider:

Hand
Full-body
Even pet models

When hiring outside talent for your photo shoots, expect to pay several different fees, including a licensing fee, on top of a model’s fee (typically hourly).

Project Timeline and Turnaround: What If You Need It Fast?

Urgent projects or tight deadlines may incur additional fees, as photographers must prioritize and allocate resources accordingly.

Rushed projects often require faster turnarounds, which may require photographers to adjust their schedules or work extra hours, impacting the overall pricing.

Caspa: AI-Powered Product Photography for eCommerce

Caspa helps eCommerce brands create stunning product photography with AI, eliminating the need for multiple tools, photographers, and models that traditionally eat up to 20% of revenue. From creating ultrarealistic product shots with human models to editing existing photos, Caspa's all-in-one AI product photography platform handles everything from background removal to upscaling, letting brands produce professional marketing visuals in seconds.

Whether you need custom stock photos or complete studio editing capabilities, Caspa streamlines the entire product visualization workflow into a single, cost-effective solution.

What to Look for in Product Photography Services

Quality matters. Businesses need high-resolution images that remain sharp even when zoomed in. A great product photographer ensures:

Crisp details that showcase textures, patterns, and materials
True-to-life colors to avoid misleading customers
Consistent lighting so all images match brand aesthetics

These details are crucial in gaining customer trust for jewelry, fashion, and electronics industries.

Multiple Angles and Perspectives

Shoppers can’t physically touch or inspect an item when shopping online, so multiple images help bridge the gap. A single image won’t cut it—businesses look for services that provide:

Front, back, and side views for a complete picture
Close-ups that highlight unique features
360-degree product photography to offer an interactive experience

A study found that 53% of online shoppers rely on images to understand a product’s function, making multiple views essential for e-commerce success.

Lifestyle and Contextual Shots

Beyond standard product shots, businesses want lifestyle images that help customers visualize how a product fits into their lives. Examples include:

A laptop on a stylish desk rather than just a white background
A pair of running shoes on an athlete instead of just a static display
A tent set up in the woods, showing real-world usage

These images boost engagement and sales, especially for fashion, home goods, electronics, and outdoor gear.

Professional Lighting and Backgrounds

Lighting can make or break an image. Businesses look for photographers who:

Use soft, even lighting to prevent harsh shadows
Ensure color accuracy so products don’t look different in person
Offer clean white backgrounds (required for marketplaces like Amazon)

For brands that focus on storytelling, creative backgrounds may also be necessary for lifestyle photography.

Editing and Post-Production Quality

Even the best photographers rely on post-production editing to refine their shots. Businesses expect services that include:

Retouching to remove dust, smudges, or slight imperfections
Color correction for uniformity across all images
Background removal to meet marketplace requirements

Well-edited images reduce return rates by ensuring customers receive precisely what they expect.

Consultations and Collaboration

Businesses don’t want a one-size-fits-all approach. They look for photographers who:

Offer pre-shoot consultations to align with their brand vision
Guide styling to enhance the product’s appeal
Are open to feedback and reshoots if needed

A collaborative process ensures the final images align with marketing goals and brand identity.

Cost-Effective and Scalable Solutions

For small businesses or startups, budget matters. While large brands may afford custom shoots, others look for cost-effective alternatives, such as:

AI-powered product photography tools like Caspa generate studio-quality images without the need for a physical shoot
Subscription-based services offering bulk discounts for high-volume sellers
DIY-friendly photography services that provide lighting and backdrop setups for in-house teams.

How to Reduce the Cost of Product Photography for Your Business

man thinking sitting on a chair - Product Photography Pricing

Traditional product photography impacts more than just your budget—it affects your entire go-to-market strategy. The costs add up quickly when you factor in studio fees, equipment costs, revision cycles, and hidden expenses.

Traditional photography costs:

$50–$150 per image
Weeks of production time
Limited creative exploration
Complex scaling costs
Hidden fees for rush jobs and reshoots

How virtual/AI photography changes the game:

Less than $1 per image on average
Production in days (or even hours), not weeks
Unlimited creative iterations
Scale without additional shoots
No surprise costs

The beauty of AI photography? What once took months now happens in days. What once cost thousands now costs hundreds. And those impossible deadlines? It's not so impossible anymore.

Plan Your Product Photography Shots in Advance

Walking into a photo shoot without a plan is like going grocery shopping without a list— You’ll waste time, and time is money. Create a shot list outlining the following:

What products need to be photographed?
What angles and styles do you prefer
Whether you need lifestyle shots, plain backgrounds, or close-ups

If you’re working with a photographer, send this list beforehand. The more prepared you are, the faster the shoot will go, meaning fewer billable hours.

Know Where Your Product Photos Will Be Used

Are these images for your website, social media, print ads, or an e-commerce platform like Amazon? The specifications matter, and knowing them upfront will save you from needing costly reshoots.

For example, if I use my images on multiple platforms, I may need variations in orientation (square, landscape, or portrait) and background (white for e-commerce, lifestyle for social media). Communicating this before the shoot ensures I get everything I need in one go.

Prepare a Clean, Clutter-Free Space

If you’re shooting in-house, set up your space ahead of time. The location should be clean and ready to go, whether it’s a boardroom, warehouse, or even an outdoor area.

A messy, unorganized setup leads to delays—every minute wasted is money spent. Photographers often bring bulky lighting and equipment, so the bigger the space, the better. Make sure there’s enough room to work efficiently.

Have Your Products Ready to Shoot

One of the biggest time-wasters during a shoot? Searching for products. If your photographer waits while someone runs to grab an item from storage, you’re paying for that downtime.

To keep things moving:

Unbox and clean products before the shoot
Organize them in the shooting area so they’re ready to go

Have backups in case one item gets damaged or looks terrible on camera.

Make Sure the Right People Are Available

If your shoot requires staff, whether for headshots or to provide input on product angles, ensure they’re present and ready.

If a decision-maker isn’t available, it can lead to delays, indecision, and extra costs for additional sessions.

For food photography: Have the chef or kitchen staff on hand to prepare dishes quickly.
For product shots: A team member who understands the brand’s visual identity should be present to approve images in real-time.

Return On Investment (ROI) For Using Generative AI In eCommerce

Investing in generative AI for product photography has many benefits in addition to lower production costs. It’s a smart strategic move that can yield an excellent return on investment.

According to one study, 66% of marketers using generative AI reported a positive ROI, with many reporting up to 3X.

What Goes Into Assessing the Impact of AI in Product Photography?

There are three main areas to examine when assessing the impact of AI on product photography. They are:

Cost savings from reduced photoshoots, retouching, and editing expenses
Increased efficiency due to streamlined image creation and one-click seasonal updates
Enhanced customer experience, leading to higher conversion rates and customer loyalty

By empowering eCommerce brands with these benefits, sophisticated AI product photo generators like Caspa are leveling the playing field. It’s now possible for smaller businesses to compete with much larger ones, even if they can’t match their product photography budgets.

Get AI Product Photos that Increase Your Sales for Free Today

What you need - Best Lens for Product Photography

AI is changing how we do almost everything, including product photography. Caspa helps brands create stunning product photography with AI. Gone are when you needed multiple tools, photographers, and models to achieve quality product visuals. This traditional approach to product photography is tedious and eats up to 20% of revenue.

Caspa changes all that by streamlining the entire product visualization workflow into a single, cost-effective solution. The AI product photography platform handles everything from background removal to upscaling, letting brands produce professional marketing visuals in seconds.

Whether you need custom stock photos or complete studio editing capabilities, Caspa eliminates the need for multiple tools, helping you create beautiful product images that increase your sales for free.

Start creating for free