Photographer Rates Per Job

Rather than a fixed salary, photographers often charge per session or per hour. Common rates in the UK include:

• Portrait sessions: £100 – £300
• Event photography: £50 – £150 per hour
• Corporate headshots: £50 – £150 per person (team discounts common)
• Commercial photography: £300 – £1,000 per day
• Property photography: £100 – £250 per property
• Product photography: £20 – £100 per image

Rates vary depending on:

• Location (London vs. smaller towns)
• Photographer’s portfolio and reputation
• Complexity of the shoot (studio vs. on-location)
• Post-production time (editing can often double the workload)

Wedding Photography: A Lucrative Niche

Weddings are one of the most profitable areas in photography. Couples consider wedding photos irreplaceable and are often willing to invest heavily.

In the UK, wedding photographers typically charge £1,000–£1,500 for full-day coverage. Examples include:

• Budget photographers: £500 – £800
• Mid-range: £1,200 – £2,000
• Luxury or destination photographers: £3,000 – £5,000+

Annual earnings from weddings:

• 20 weddings at £1,500 each = £30,000
• 30 weddings at £3,000 each = £90,000 (potentially higher with upsells like albums or engagement shoots)

Weddings are seasonal, so income peaks between May and September. Many photographers balance the quieter months with portrait, commercial, or teaching work.

Tip: Protect your gear and liability with photographer insurance—especially important on high-stakes wedding days.

Property Photography

Property photography is in demand due to online estate listings and platforms like Airbnb. Typical fees include:

• Per property: £100 – £250
• Per image: £5 – £15 (often bundled in packages, e.g., 20 images for £150)

Add-ons may include:

• Drone photography: +£50 – £150
• Video tours: +£100 – £300
• Twilight/exterior shoots: +£50 – £200

Professional photos help properties sell faster, often at higher prices, and increase Airbnb bookings. While property photography may pay less per job than weddings, it often provides steady work year-round.

Charging Per Photo

Some clients prefer paying per image rather than per session. Common examples include:

• Stock photography: £0.20 – £2 per download, sometimes £10+ for extended licenses
• Commercial product images: £20 – £100 per edited image
• Property photography: £5 – £15 per photo, often sold in packages

Per-image pricing can be profitable in commercial settings, but time-consuming editing can make project-based pricing more advantageous.

Highest-Paid Photography Niches

While weddings are profitable, the highest earnings often come from specialised fields:

• Advertising/commercial photography: £1,000 – £5,000 per day
• Fashion photography: High-profile magazine and brand work can lead to six-figure incomes
• Scientific/medical photography: Salaries often exceed general photography roles, with strong benefits
• Luxury wedding photography: International or celebrity clients can pay £10,000+ per wedding

The common factor for high earnings is reputation. Successful photographers invest in branding, marketing, and specialise in a niche rather than general photography.

Is Photography a Good Career in 2025?

Photography can be rewarding but comes with challenges.

Pros:

• Creative freedom and diverse work
• High earning potential in weddings and commercial niches
• Flexibility in client selection
• Opportunities to teach, offer workshops, or sell stock photos

Cons:

• Income instability, especially for freelancers
• High upfront costs for equipment, software, and insurance
• Fierce competition in popular niches
• Time-intensive editing and business management

For those with both creative talent and business savvy, photography can be a sustainable and fulfilling career. Treat it as a business, set strategic pricing, market effectively, and protect yourself with insurance.