Guides · Product photography
Product photography pricing
in Chicago, explained.
Two day rates, one price per extra image, and a short list of things that change the quote. Nothing hidden behind a form.
The two rates
| Item | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Half day, 4 hours | $1,200 | About 20 edited images |
| Full day, 8 hours | $2,500 | About 35 edited images |
| Extra edited image | $40 each | Beyond the included count |
| Styling and art direction | $150 to $300 | Depends on complexity. For food and drink we strongly recommend it. |
| Rush delivery | +20% | When the standard turnaround is too slow |
The image counts are what a shoot of that length usually produces once the duds are gone and the keepers are retouched. A simple product on white goes faster than a styled drink with ice, so a half day of cans can run higher than twenty and a half day of cocktails can run lower.
Why the per-image price matters more than the day rate
A day rate tells you what the day costs. The per-image price tells you what each photo on your product page costs, and that is the number to compare between studios. At $1,200 for about 20 images, ours works out to roughly $60 an image, and extras beyond the plan are $40. Studios that quote a lower day rate and a higher per-image rate are not cheaper once you need a full catalog.
What changes the quote
- Styling. Props, surfaces, hands, ice, garnish and the person who makes them look right. This is the single biggest difference between a product photo and a product photo people stop on.
- Sets. We have four built sets standing in the studio at all times, so a lifestyle look does not mean a location fee. The Hennessy Lunar New Year campaign on our case studies page was built and shot entirely in those rooms.
- Volume. Over about 60 products we quote by the catalog, not the day, and the per-image price comes down.
- Video on the same day. Once the lighting and the product prep are done, adding a half day of video is the most efficient money you can spend. Ask for it when you brief.
What is included
The studio, the lighting, a photographer who shoots product every week, basic retouching on every delivered image, and files sized for your website, Amazon and social. You own the images outright. Full details and the brief form are on the product photography page.
Questions people ask.
How much does product photography cost per image in Chicago?
Do I need to pay for styling?
How fast do I get the images?
Can you shoot video at the same time?
Price a shoot.
Tell us what you are making and when you need it. We reply within one business day.