What does an architectural photographer cost?
Pricing Models in Architectural Photography
In architectural photography, there are basically two methods for calculating the cost of a photo shoot.
The first method is the traditional approach: Costs are calculated based on a fixed photographer’s fee or daily rate, image editing costs based on the number of images delivered, and the individual usage rights for those images.
The second method is billing as a project flat rate. Here, all cost items are bundled into a fixed price, so the client can see immediately what they are paying for and which services are included. The quote is therefore not an estimated calculation, but a reliable price.
Services such as extensive retouching, drone footage, additional or extended usage rights, etc., are optional and can be added at the client’s request.
In addition, there is also the option of cost-sharing if multiple project participants join forces to commission the work. More details on this topic will follow in section Cost Sharing.
Our Philosophy: Transparent project flat rates for easy order handling
We have decided to offer our clients project packages that clearly and transparently communicate the price and the services included. Our packages include the entire production time, basic image editing, and basic usage rights for your own direct corporate communications (website, social media, brochures, etc.). This means you’ll receive photos from us that you can use right away without having to worry about whether their use on a particular platform requires prior approval. The only exception is sharing the photos with third parties, which is not included and requires a separate license.
How is a project flat fee calculated?
Obviously, there isn’t a single flat rate that applies to all types of projects. Flat rates depend on the scope and requirements of a project. The most important factor is the desired number of photos. In most cases, we offer photo packages of 10–15, 25–30, or 30–40 shots. Accordingly, the price of a package can range from approximately €950 to €3,500. Additional requests, such as extra video footage, can also affect the price, as they require more time to production.
Example: 25–30 architectural photos of a project
To conclude this post, we’d like to provide you with a concrete example of the costs involved in commissioning a project.
In this case, an architectural studio commissioned us to document a new building, including some office spaces as part of the interior design. They requested a total of approximately 20–30 photos, including all usage rights.
We’ll need one day to complete the shoot, as well as a photo assistant for additional support. The project flat rate is €1,900 plus €200 for the photo assistant.
As a result, the architecture firm will receive 25–30 architectural photos, which they can embed directly on their website and publish in a LinkedIn post about the project.
How does cost sharing work?
Sharing production costs is a common and efficient way to keep the financial load on all project partners as low as possible. In this approach, an amount is added to the project flat rate for each partner, and the total amount is then divided equally among all participants. Here is a short calculation example:
€1,900 project flat fee + €1,000 Partner 1 + €1,000 Partner 2 = €3,900 / 3 project partners = €1,300
Through cost sharing, all project participants receive the entire image selection at a reduced price of €1,300 instead of €1,900, including all usage rights.
For more information about order processing, please visit the Services & FAQ section.