Find a Photographer near you
The average rating for Bark Photographers is 4.94, based on 301,420 reviews
5/5
based on 301,420 reviews
Thinking of hiring a photographer but not sure what it costs? Set your budget with our comprehensive guide to photography prices and more.
The world is expected to take 1.81 trillion photos this year, with the majority of these images—93%—captured by smartphones. Yet there’s no shortage of demand for professional photographers who really know how to deliver an outstanding end result. When you hire an outstanding photographer, they can:
Bring your event to life
Give you unforgettable memories
Ensure that your photos work in all formats
Take higher-quality photos than a ‘regular’ person can
Get perfect lighting and angles
Money is temporary – but memories can last forever! And that’s why having a visual copy of your event, product, or family photos is almost impossible to put a price tag on. You’re in the right place to see an in-depth summary of photography prices in the UK. Keep in mind that all figures listed on this page are based on our data and research. If you want a personalised quotation, get in touch with a photographer near you.
Every photographer prices for their services in a unique way. You should thus ask each professional about their method of billing, before jumping into a contract. The most common methods include:
Fixed project rate
Day rate
Hourly rate
Number of pictures
These aren’t the only ways of calculating a photography price. For example, post-editing and travel to the location can push your price up as well. Hourly rates for simple projects usually sit around £100. But if it’s wedding photography, expect this to go up to £300 or higher.
Equally, the price per picture can go down once the size of your project goes up. The same applies to a day rate – because if you hire a photographer for five days, their price per day may go down. Make sure you discuss all these details with your photographer. It can have an enormous impact.
You have several different types of photography to choose from. Most photographers are experienced and skilled in all these areas. But others may specialise in just one part. Your needs will thus affect what your budget should be.
Corporate photography is typically used by businesses. This covers items such as annual reports, website stock images, or pictures for marketing materials. This may be using models in a studio, or it could involve photographing the company’s team members themselves. The medium will also change the size and format of the pictures.
Lots of people want their event to live long in the memory. Bringing in a photographer can achieve that. You’ll find some experts that specialise in sports event photography, or concerts. But other photographers may provide a package for all these things. The more complex the event is, the higher the price will be for photography. A common example is sports photography, where the athletes are moving at an incredibly fast pace.
Although this is a type of event, wedding photography is an entire category of its own! It’s the most important day of many peoples’ lives – and the importance of the photography being spot-on can thus not be overstated. Some weddings are more elaborate than others, and this can impact wedding prices. But this tends to be a premium part of the photography industry, which has prices at the higher end.
Portrait photography ranks at the lower end of the price range in this industry. The main examples include individual, family and senior photos, along with actor headshots. This is often done at the photographer’s studio, where they can ensure that all the lighting is completely perfect.
Many photographers specialise in property pictures. This is usually done for estate agencies, or for people who are selling their own house privately. The photos appear on platforms such as Rightmove and Zoopla, along with printed brochures. The goal is to show your house in the best possible light, and to show off as much of the space as possible.
Food photography is an art unlike any other. Getting the lighting, angles, and juices spot-on for your pictures is extremely difficult. It needs to look like the plate is directly in front of your viewer, ready to be bitten into – and this isn’t easy to achieve!
Fashion photographs need to be stylish with careful lighting and angles. You can’t do this job properly without an in-depth understanding of these things. It’s also about developing rapport with the model, to ensure they look their best in clothes. These prices go above the industry average.
Pet photographers are animal lovers who know how to connect to pets. In many cases, this involves carefully placed treats to make the animal look in a certain direction, with a specific expression. But it also requires patience and a gentle touch.
| Type of photography | Average hourly rate |
| Corporate | £125 |
| Event | £150 |
| Wedding | £250 |
| Portrait | £100 |
| Property | £150 |
| Food | £175 |
| Fashion | £200 |
| Pet | £130 |
The price you’re quoted by a professional photographer will depend on several factors. The main ones include:
Experience and expertise
Location
Type of photography
Scale of the project
Post-production work and editing
Extra labour, accessories and equipment
Make sure you get clarity on these areas with your photographer. This helps to avoid any hidden costs.
As with all professions, some photographers are better than others. And there tends to be a correlation between experience and expertise. If you’re working with a photographer who’s been working in this area for decades, it tends to cost more. They can anticipate potential difficulties and ensure that there’s a contingency in place for every possible scenario. Meanwhile, a newcomer usually has to drop their prices to compensate.
Your whereabouts in the United Kingdom impacts the price of a photographer. Professionals typically charge less in rural Wales and Scotland, when compared to the urban south-east of England.
Your proximity to the photographer is also important. If they must travel to you, that’ll cost more – especially if you’re far away. And if you’re renting a studio for the day, this comes at an extra cost. Some professionals have their own studio, which you can use at no extra charge. But you’ll have to go to them instead.
You can see a clear overview of all the variations further above on this page. Some types of photography, such as weddings or fashion, are highly complex and there’s a lot at stake. Meanwhile, sitting headshots or pet photos tend to be on the lower end of the spectrum.
Some photographers charge hourly, while others have a day rate or project rate. The amount of time your photographer must put in thus correlates to the price. The number of photos you’re looking for is crucial too. If these are being transferred to you, it’s a much larger mission for thousands of photos, compared to a couple of dozen. Expect your photographer to price this accordingly.
Once your day of photos comes to an end, that doesn’t mean that your photographer has nothing less to do. In some cases – especially when capturing products such as fashion or food – the post-production work is as important as the initial day itself. It can involve several rounds of revisions and complex technology that your photographer pays for.
Any extra add-ons as part of your photography project will push your price up. For example, if they need extra help with them on the day, these people’s times must be covered as well. The same applies to additional equipment being brought along. And if you want accessories such as jewellery, special lights, or a white background to be provided by the photographer, this’ll be included in the quote.
| Location | Average photographer hourly rate |
| London | £190 |
| South-East England | £170 |
| South-West England | £170 |
| East of England | £150 |
| West Midlands | £150 |
| North-West England | £150 |
| Yorkshire and Humberside | £140 |
| Scotland | £140 |
| Wales | £130 |
| Northern Ireland | £130 |
| North-East England | £130 |
While high-quality photography is an investment, there are ways to reduce costs without cutting corners. You can see a few suggestions below.
Many photographers are flexible with their packages and are generally open to negotiation, especially if you're willing to cut certain inclusions in favour of a lower price. You may be allowed to pay in installments with some professionals, too.
If you don’t need prints or other products, many photographers will sell digital images at a significant discount. You can then convert these into printed versions on your own, if you wish.
Weekday or off-peak season bookings can net substantial savings, sometimes in the region of 10% to 20%. Make sure you give the photographer plenty of notice as well. Last-minute requests can cost more.
Travel fees are incorporated into the price of a photographer. When you pick someone nearby, these extra costs are lower. This can enable you to avoid expensive add-ons.
Even with a world of photographers at your fingertips, not all will be the right fit for what you need at a price that suits you. Use online review platforms, social media, and professional photography directories to find a selection of photographers in your area with strong portfolios and good reputations.
Reach out to each photographer with a clear brief and schedule a meeting or call. This will allow you to gauge their professionalism, creativity, and whether they understand and can deliver your vision. When you receive quotes, look beyond the bottom line. Take note of what’s included, the quality of the work presented, and the overall feel of the interaction with the photographer.
Before making a decision, ask for references from previous clients and check that the photographer’s contracts and terms align with your expectations. And lastly, it may sound cliché, but sometimes your instincts are your best guide. Choose the photographer who gives you confidence in their abilities to deliver on your needs within your budget.
The average rating for Bark Photographers is 4.94, based on 301,420 reviews
5/5
based on 301,420 reviews
