Event Photographer
Hiring an event photographer is one of the most important choices you’ll make in planning your event. While event photography pricing can be a big investment, it’s well worth it on many levels. Event photos make wonderful souvenirs for attendees to remember the experience and provide marketing materials to advertise future events. An experienced photographer can mean the difference between having a few blurry selfies at the end of the day and having a spread of professional photographs of all your speakers and VIPs enjoying themselves at a gala.
But how do you go about hiring a photographer? How do you know if the rate they quote you is reasonable? Will they include photo retouching, or will you have to do that yourself? Let’s look at a few of the most important things you need to know about event photography pricing and how to negotiate a fair price with a photographer.
What makes event photography unique?
First, what sets event photography apart from regular photography? Can’t you just hire the guy who takes photos of your family for the holidays?
Probably not. Typically, event photography refers to photographers who specialize in corporate events. They have experience working in high-pressure environments with a lot of moving parts. It’s very different from, say, landscape or wildlife photography, which requires a whole different set of skills and equipment. Event photographers know how to navigate large crowds and deal professionally with executives and corporate employees.
When you hire an event photographer, you’re getting a whole package of things, including:
- Time and labor during your event
- Specialized knowledge and equipment
- Post-production (photo editing) time
All of these factors must be taken into account when negotiating event photography pricing. If the hourly rate that your photographer quotes sounds high to you, remember all of the additional work that goes on behind the scenes. In addition to renting office space, they may also be on the hook for travel expenses, self-employment taxes, and potentially hiring an assistant.
How much does event photography cost?
Event photography pricing depends on the scale of your event and the experience level of your photographer.
Here are some standard photography rates based on experience, as designated by Fash’s 2021 industry assessment:
- Student $50-100/hr
- Amateur/entry-level $50-150
- Professional $75-250
- Expert $200-500+
As you can see, the amount you can expect to pay will vary widely. And, if you need someone on hand for several hours or the entire day, their fee can reach upwards of $2,000-5,000.
However, a few factors can influence the rate. If budget is an issue, you can change the number of pictures you want, how quickly you want them, and how much you want them retouched.
Agree to event photography pricing terms with your photographer before the event …
Most people who are booking a photographer for their event are not themselves professional photographers. It’s completely understandable that you wouldn’t understand the ins and outs of an event photographer’s work naturally. So it’s crucial you agree on all aspects of the work you commission from the event photographer well before the event.
Since retouching adds a significant amount of time to the project, a photographer may charge less if you only want a handful of photos or if you agree to do the retouching yourself. Some photographers, however, will never give a client the unfinished images, so make sure you’re both in agreement on this before your shoot.
Always sign a contract before making a payment, and be clear on what that contract includes. According to U.S. copyright law, the photographer retains the rights to the images unless you explicitly purchase them. This means that, while you can use them for personal use, you can’t sell them or use them commercially without purchasing a license. If you want to own the photos outright, your photographer may agree to per-image pricing rather than an hourly rate.
Most professional photographers will have their rates listed on their website, along with what services that rate includes. But be sure to request a quote for any custom services that might entail extra responsibilities. Do you want a photo booth? Behind-the-scenes shots? Someone to live-tweet pictures from your event in real-time? In that case, you may want to hire a second photographer or ask your photographer to bring an assistant.
It’s standard for photographers to ask for a 50% deposit when you make a booking, which is non-refundable if you cancel too close to the event.