Ask anyone with experience in the e-commerce industry, and they’ll tell you that professional product photography is an investment you simply can’t do without. Put simply, an accurate representation of your products is absolutely vital when it comes to selling online.

So let’s talk numbers. How much does a professional photo shoot cost? Here in the Philippines, the TL:DR version is in the neighborhood of Php4500 minimum—a little under US$100—depending who you ask. However, the long answer is far more nuanced and will depend on the kind of products you’re selling, and even the studio or photographer you choose.

This post will give you an idea of how a product photography studio works so you can better understand where your money is going. Note that prices and fees mentioned below are within a given range and will vary on the studio you choose.

Engagement Fee

The engagement fee is the minimum a studio will charge for any project in order for it to be cost-effective. Anything less than that is just not worth the trouble. So, it’s no coincidence that the fee roughly falls around the Php4500 mark.

So what does that get you? Let’s break it down!

Standard Items

Keep in mind that certain items are much easier to set up and shoot, while others have more technical requirements. For example, watches and jewelry will need special lighting, while small, regular items like small electronics are more straightforward.

Standard, non-reflective products can include toys, electronics, packaged food, and even furniture. Items in this category cost between Php200 to Php 440 per SKU for small to large items. Fees for extra-large items (49” and above) will need to be negotiated. Expect to pay an additional Php20 to Php50 if they need to be assembled.

So if a studio’s engagement fee is Php4500, that lets you shoot about 20 small standard SKUs. This would include up to 3 angles per SKU with minor color and contrast adjustments done in post-production. Some studios will also include archiving into the cost, which means your photos are ready for upload as soon as they’re turned over.

If you need to shoot in large volumes, you can negotiate for a 5% to 7.5% discount for orders with over 100 items.

Group Shots

Opting for group shots can display your items’ styles, sizes, shapes, and colors in a number of creative ways. You’ll pay a base price of P200 to P440, and then P50 to P75 per additional item depending on the size, shot in 2 angles.

For example, if you have a group shot of three small items, that’s Php300 (Php200 + Php50 + Php50), and so on.

Accessories

Spectacles, footwear, watches, and bags are more complicated to shoot than standard items. Shooting timepieces require a delicate balance between using the right lenses and a mastery of lighting. Watch enthusiasts are particular about detail and color, and a lot goes into the set up to get the best possible shot from a variety of angles.

You can see fees start around Php280 for spectacles, Php350 for footwear, and Php400 for watches and bags. Try to get 4 angles for spectacles and watches, and 5 angles for bags and shoes. The advantage of these products is that once you have the set up ready, it’s easy enough to shoot in volume.

This category is where you’ll likely see the biggest savings when shooting in bulk, with around 15% off per SKU if shooting in volume.

Jewelry

Jewelry product photography is highly specialized due to the reflective nature of the items. They require special lighting and more technical know-how, which means they take longer to shoot than all the other items on mentioned here.

This product category is by far the most expensive, starting at Php450 per SKU. And you need make sure you’re hiring an established and reputable studio—one you can trust with precious stones.

Get up to 4 angles for earrings and bracelets, while necklaces and rings get 2 angles.

Apparel

Great fashion product photography lets your customers visualize how your items will look on them in terms of fit, size, and color. Whether you’re using models or mannequins, you need to showcase your fashion products in the best possible light to make them stand out online. Using a ghost mannequin is also an effective and cost-efficient way to display clothes without a live model.

This is where you see the most variation in price since you have plenty of options to choose from. Flatlays or ghost mannequins will set you back at least Php350 per SKU, while a studio can book a model for you for about Php450 per SKU. Fitness, swimsuit, and lingerie models demand a premium, raising the fee to around Php650.

If you prefer to book the model yourself, the studio will usually charge a shooting fee in the range of Php250 to Php275. Whichever option you choose, expect up to 3 angles per item.

Lifestyle Photography

Things change when you opt for lifestyle photography. Rather than paying per SKU, you’re now spending on the number of layouts you want.

Lifestyle product photography, or in-context photography, involves a styled or curated scene that promotes a specific lifestyle. The aim is to create a connection with your customers by allowing them to imagine what their life would look like using it. This typically presents your products in an environment where it’s expected to be used, or displayed in a creative manner, just like you see in magazines, websites, or social media.

Flat lay product photography gives your customers a different perspective of your products and allows more room for creativity. A curated used of props can also add personality to your items that is on brand, which would a certain degree of styling and capturing multiple angles.

Prices per layout would come out to around Php1500, which includes some simple styling. If you wish to style it yourself, then it’s considered a studio rental, which comes out to around Php2500 per hour or Php15,000 per day.

Video Services

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Making the jump from photography to video isn’t too much of a stretch for many studios. The gear and technical knowledge are roughly the same. Video is only gaining more popularity, and vendors are doing what they can to stand out in a very crowded market. Stop animation, 360 degree photography, or even just short lifestyle product shoots can offer a welcome change to standard product shots.

Having 30-60 second videos produced can cost around Php15,000 to Php25,000. Expect additional fees for scriptwriting, voice overs, talent, musical score, and location shoot rentals.

Final Thoughts

When choosing the right studio, always consider the number of items you need shot, how many angles are included, and if post production is bundled into the fee. Although studios may charge similar rates, the services they offer might vary. This will greatly affect how much you end up spending in the end.

Some photographers and studios only offer shooting services and will just hand over the unedited raw files. That means you’ll have to do the editing, color correcting, and archiving yourself, or pass it on to someone else. There are plenty of photo editing services out there, but that means dealing with at least two suppliers instead of just one. Try to find a studio that has the whole end to end process baked into their costs. Even though they might seem pricier, it’ll still be worth paying a little extra for the convenience.

Second, determine your needs and wants before hiring a studio. Some specialize in lifestyle photography while others are geared toward shooting in volume against a white background.

Lastly, clarify the usage. The contract you enter with the studio will classify how you use the photographs you commission. Current standard practice is you can only use photographs produced within the scope of a given project for channels that you own, such as your website, social media, and online store. There’s an added cost—up to 20%—if you wish to use the product shots for something outside the initial licensing agreement, like advertising. Barring that, you can use the photos for however long you want to.

Got questions? We’d be happy to answer them for you! Send us a message or leave a comment below.

PRODUCT PHOTOGRAPHY RATES: YOUR DEFINITIVE GUIDE