Are you a small or huge business owner? Professional product photography is a must for all to boost your brand image and drive more sales. Do you have any idea about e-commerce photography pricing? How much should you invest in e-commerce product photography? Will it be profitable? Understanding the overall cost is a part of your business strategy. This article covered everything about e-commerce photoshoot costs and how you should manage them.
Why Is Understanding E-commerce Photography Pricing Important For A Business?
Remember, a well-defined budget plan is a must for every online business. You need to understand the pricing structure of e-commerce product photoshoots. It helps you manage the budget more effectively.
The company can determine whether setting up an in-house studio will be better than outsourcing the photo shooting service. Plus, it enables them to understand how much they should invest in photoshoots based on their needs and goals. They won’t have to worry about overpaying or unexpected costs. The key is getting quality photos at a fair price.
Costs of E-commerce Photography
People new to e-commerce photography often wonder why it costs so much. Let me help you understand what contributes to setting up the pricing structure.
Camera and Lens Costs
A DSLR or mirrorless camera can cost anywhere from $250 to over $5,000. It varies depending on their specifications, quality components, sensor size, and other attributes.
A camera lens can cost anywhere from $100 to over $10,000. Professional-grade lenses have a high price tag due to better image clarity, low-light performance, and durability.
Lighting Equipment
A professional photo editing studio uses various types of lighting equipment to capture the item images. They provide a consistent color and attractive look. The following are the primary lighting equipment and their average pricing range.
Editing Software Licenses
A photographer has to use different professional-grade software to edit and retouch the image perfectly. The following are the top photo editing applications and their monthly and yearly cost.
Studio Rental Fees
The studio’s cost varies depending on the location, size, and amenities. A standard studio for an e-commerce photoshoot can cost around $500 to $3000+ per month. Larger studios (1,500+ sq ft) may charge $3,000–$10,000+ monthly. Most brands can’t afford them. However, a mid-range studio (500–1,000 sq ft) is enough for product photo shooting.
You may also like to read… E-commerce Photo Studio: Key to Pro Product Shots
Utilities and Maintenance
There are different types of utilities and maintenance costs that a professional company has to bear in e-commerce photoshoots. The following are the most common ones:
- Storage and backup solutions
- Cleaning and upkeep of the workspace
- Utility bills (electricity, internet)
- Equipment maintenance
Staffing Expenses
In e-commerce photo shooting projects, professionals from various fields collaborate seamlessly to create visually compelling item imagery.
Their fees vary based on experience level, expertise, and project complexity. The following are the common people involved in goods photoshoots.
- Photographers
- Assistant/second shooters
- Stylist and makeup artists
- Creative directors or coordinators
- Post-production editors
Props and Styling Materials
Photographers use various types of props and styling materials to create visual interest and showcase in-depth context. The better-quality items you use, the higher the overall cost. Professionals generally use the following props and styling materials:
- Fabrics
- Backdrops
- Decorative Objects
- Flowers
- Books
- Frames
- Textures
- Seasonal Elements
Model Fees
When it comes to showing lifestyle context in product photography, you need to hire professional models. The fees for hiring private contractors or freelance models can be anywhere from $35 to $250 per hour.
Well-known models may charge a bit higher than typical models due to their popularity. However, their experience, project complexity, shoot duration, usage rights, etc., also affect their asking fees.
Location Fees and Permits
The location rental fee will vary based on the specific location. You also have to pay location permit fees, especially for public places. It is usually per hour or per day.
There might be additional studio insurance costs. Other than these, you may have to pay:
- Travel expenses to locations
- Parking fees
- Location scouting costs
- Additional insurance for off-site shoots
Photography Costs for Product Images Across eCommerce Platforms
Not all ecommerce platforms don’t have the same pricing structure for product photoshoots. Professional photographers charge different prices based on the platform guidelines and unique requirements.
Amazon
- Amazon has strict image guidelines. The photos must have a high resolution and a white background. Professional photographers charge a higher price to fulfill Amazon’s complex policies.
- Shooting Amazon items can be anywhere from $30 to $100 per image. It will vary depending on the clarity, zoom capability, and different angles.
- Infographic visuals will add extra cost. If you need any special setup for photography, the overall pricing will increase, too.
You may also like to read… Everything You Should Know about Amazon Product Photography
eBay
- eBay has versatile image guidelines. You can upload goods images in different styles. This keeps the overall cost moderate.
- The average cost of eBay e-commerce photos is around $10 to $50 per image. If casual sellers prefer auction-style listings, the overall cost will be lower.
- But it has a risk of inconsistent quality. The pricing structure is slightly higher if you prefer premium listings due to clearer visuals.
Alibaba
- Alibaba offers bulk item listings. They have a trade assurance program that prefers simple and clear visuals. This reduces the overall per-image photography costs.
- Alibaba e-commerce photoshoot can cost anywhere from $5 to $20 per image.
- However, the pricing structure will be slightly higher if you need Tmall’s premium B2C listings.
Etsy
- Etsy prefers creative, lifestyle-oriented photography. The photos must be vibrant and contextual. This increases the total pricing.
- The average cost of Etsy items’ photos is around $10 to $50 per image. For a unique setup, freelance photographers may charge $25 to $75 per hour.
Walmart
- Walmart allows versatile e-commerce photo shooting styles. The cost is significantly reduced as they have mostly grocery and household items. However, dynamic visuals with high complexity will increase the pricing.
- Walmart photoshoots can cost around $20 to $80 per image.
- However, freelance photographers may charge around $25 to $200 per hour if you need consistent, multi-use photography.
Social Media
- Social media sites like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest are excellent choices for e-commerce businesses. The price of creative, lifestyle, and styled shots is a bit higher than simple shots.
- Social media product photography can cost around $25 to $100 per image.
- Freelance photographers may charge around $50 to $200 per hour based on experience and image complexity. FAT64.NET
| E-commerce Platform | Pricing Structure |
| Amazon | $30 to $100 per image |
| eBay | $10 to $50 per image |
| Alibaba | $5 to $20 per image |
| Etsy | $10 to $50 per image |
| Walmart | $20 to $80 per image |
| Social Media | $25 to $100 per image |
You may also like to read… A Complete Guide to Fashion eCommerce Photography
Tips for Managing E-commerce Photography Pricing
A business owner thrives in practical ways to cut down costs as much as possible. The following are the key techniques to manage e-commerce photo shooting costs effectively.
Define Your Needs
- Clarify the number of images needed per item. Specify what kind of photography style you prefer. It can be a white background, lifestyle, in-action, etc.
- In addition, determine the additional angles or zoom needed for your e-commerce photography. Also, consider seasonal or promotional shoot needs.
Create Budget Planning for E-commerce Photography
- How much of your budget did you set for e-commerce photography? Estimate how many goods’ images you need and create a budgetary plan. Also, consider editing and retouching expenses.
- Set up a clear budget to allocate funds correctly. It enables you to prepare for seasonal shoots and unexpected expenses. You won’t have to worry about overspending.
Request Detailed Quotes
- Ask for a detailed quote from the photoshoot company to understand all costs, like shooting, editing, and studio fees. This creates transparency regarding their photography style, turnaround time, communication methods, etc.
- You can compare the value they provide against the pricing. It allows you to select a specific company or look for competitors who offer similar, better value at lower prices.
Transparent Communication with the Photography Company
- Clear communication with the photo shooting company aligns your vision with the final image. The photography entity will follow your preferred image styles.
- You can have clear expectations with a defined deadline. There will be minimal errors. You won’t have to worry about any misunderstandings or photo quality.
Consider Bundled Services
- Want to save money? Isn’t hiring several companies to capture goods’ images in different photo shooting styles a hassle? Will you employ another agency that provides only image editing services?
- The best solution is hiring a photo shooting studio that offers different photographing services in a bundle, along with post-production. This will help you save time and effort.
- Most importantly, they will maintain a cohesive visual theme across all item photos. Also, various photo shooting styles will have a consistent look that aligns with the brand image.
Plan for Post-production
- It doesn’t matter whether you hire a separate photo editing company or a photography agency that provides post-production services. You have to create a plan for the type of touch-up your items’ images need.
- Photo editing can help you maintain consistent, high-quality images across all images. A proper plan lets you determine whether items photos need color correction, background removal, retouching, shadow creation, or other services like ghost mannequin or clipping path. You won’t have to bear additional costs later.
Consider In-house vs. Outsourced Photography
You can create an in-house studio for an e-commerce photoshoot. Or outsource e-commerce image-capturing services from a third party.
But what is the best option for your business? Do you only sell seasonal goods or all year-round items? Hiring a professional studio company to reduce the overall cost is best for seasonal items.
But if you sell various items that need regular photographing throughout the year, setting up an in-house production is a better choice. The initial investment might be higher. But you will save a lot in the long run.
FAQs
- How much should I pay per product photo in ecommerce photography?
It can be anywhere from $10 to $120, depending on the photographing style, complexity of the shoot, and other factors.
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Why is e-commerce photography pricing so expensive?
E-commerce photoshoot is expensive due to advanced technical expertise, high-end equipment, and studio costs.
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How much does 360 product photography cost?
The cost can be anywhere from $25 to $150 or more based on the image complexity, resolution, and specific requirements.
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What’s the cost difference between in-house and outsourced photography?
In-house photoshooting involves upfront costs for equipment and staff, around $500-$5,000 initially, while outsourcing typically costs $20-$150 per image but saves on setup and expertise expenses.
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Is it worth investing in professional photography for e-commerce?
High-quality product images increase conversion rates by engaging viewers. They also improve brand image and help businesses to earn customers’ trust.
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How can I reduce e-commerce photography costs without compromising quality?
You can reduce e-commerce photographing costs by choosing bulk shooting, negotiating a package deal, and minimizing extra props or complex setups.
Wrapping UP
Whether you create an in-house production setup or hire a professional photo shooting company, high-resolution images are a must. Consider what photographing style aligns best with your brand image. Communicate with the photographer clearly to help them understand your vision. They must portray the item images the way your customers want. Take enough time to create a sophisticated plan for managing the cost of product photo shooting. Hopefully, our above discussion has given you a clear idea about e-commerce photography pricing.
