“How much does product photography cost?” is a tricky one to answer without seeing your products, because forty identical bottles on white and four styled gift sets are completely different days of work. Both are “product photography”, but one is fast and repeatable and the other is built shot by shot.
As a rough guide, published UK price guides such as Welpix’s UK pricing guide put simple white background packshots at around £10 to £30 per image at volume, and styled lifestyle images from around £30 to £100 each or more. I shoot product photography in Liverpool and quote every shoot individually, so here is what actually moves the figure and how to plan a shoot that fits your budget.
The short version
- Packshots are faster once the set is lit, so they cost less per image.
- Lifestyle and styled sets are built one by one, so they cost more per image.
- Tricky products like jewellery, glass and gloss take longer to light.
- Video on the same day is far cheaper than a separate shoot later.
- Where the images run matters: paid advertising is licensed on top.
1. Per image or day rate?
Product photographers usually price one of two ways. A per image price suits simple, repeatable shots where every product is photographed the same way. A day rate suits styled work, mixed ranges and anything where the set changes between shots. Neither is better. What matters is that the price matches the kind of images you need.
| Type of shot | Speed | Where it works |
|---|---|---|
| White background packshot | Fast once the set is lit, many products a day | Listings, marketplaces, Amazon main images, wholesale sheets |
| Flat lay | Medium, one set can give several crops | Gift sets, beauty ranges, food, social feeds |
| Lifestyle | Slower, each set is built and styled | Social, paid ads, homepage banners, email |
| Creative campaign | Slowest, concept led and crafted | Launches, seasonal pushes, rebrands |
2. What changes the quote
Number of products
How many products, how many angles of each, and how many need detail shots.
Style of shot
Packshots at volume, or styled sets built individually with props and surfaces.
The product itself
Reflective, tiny or perishable products take longer to light and shoot well.
Retouching and files
Cut outs, transparent PNGs, colour matching and crops for every platform.
Also in the mix: models, studio or on location, video alongside the stills, and how you plan to use the images. Your website, store, listings, organic social and email are covered as standard. Paid advertising is agreed up front and licensed on top.
3. The products that take longer
Some products are simply harder to photograph well, and a fair quote reflects that:
- Jewellery needs macro work, focus stacking and careful control of sparkle.
- Glass, acrylic and gloss reflect the whole room back at the camera.
- Foils and metallic packaging blow out easily without the right light.
- Fresh food has a short window before it stops looking its best.
- Clothing needs consistent framing and accurate fabric colour to keep returns down.
My guide to packshot, flat lay or lifestyle photos explains which images do which job.
4. Ways to book a product shoot
Product launch shoot
One focused shoot around a new product or range: packshots, details, a lifestyle set and vertical clips.
Content day
A full day covering as much of your range as can be shot properly, for weeks of content.
Monthly content partner
A recurring shoot on a set schedule, planned around your launches and marketing calendar.
Video on the same day
Vertical clips, spins and stop motion from the set that is already lit.
5. How to get more from your budget
- Send a product list first. Knowing the range lets the shoot be planned in the right order.
- Group similar products. Everything on white in one run, styled sets together.
- Shoot the library once. Packshots last for years until the product changes.
- Add video on the day. The set is built and lit, so clips cost far less now than later.
- Prepare the products. Clean, spotless samples save retouching time.
My guide on how to prepare your products for a photoshoot covers samples, labels and getting everything to the studio.
6. How to compare product photography quotes
Ask every photographer
- How many final images, and of which kind?
- Is retouching and colour matching included?
- Which file sizes and crops will I get?
- Are revisions included?
- What usage is included, and what costs extra?
Watch for
- A low per image price with cut outs charged extra
- No colour reference, so products ship a different shade
- Files named by camera number, not product
- Paid ad usage not mentioned until later
- No plan agreed before the shoot
What to send for a product quote
Your products
- A product list with rough sizes
- Your website or store link
- Any tricky items: glass, jewellery, food
What you need
- Packshots, lifestyle or both
- Where the images will be used
- Any video or social clips
- Your launch date and a rough budget
Questions brands ask
How much does product photography cost in the UK?
It depends on the kind of image. Published UK price guides put white background packshots at around £10 to £30 per image at volume and styled lifestyle images from around £30 to £100 each or more. Tricky products and creative campaigns cost more.
How much does product photography cost in Liverpool with you?
Every shoot is quoted individually, because the number of products, the style of shot and the amount of styling change the day completely. Send a product list and where the images will be used, and you will get an itemised quote.
Is it cheaper to pay per image or per day?
Per image usually suits simple, repeatable packshots. A day rate usually suits styled sets, mixed ranges and shoots with video. The right one depends on the images you need.
Can I get video from the same product shoot?
Yes, and it is almost always cheaper that way. The set is already built and lit, so vertical clips, spins and stop motion add far less than a separate shoot later.
Can we use the product photos in paid ads?
Your website, store, listings, organic social, email and packaging are covered as standard. Paid advertising is licensed on top and agreed up front, based on the channels and how long the campaign runs.
More guides for product brands: Amazon and Shopify product photo requirements · 12 product video ideas that sell.
Got products to shoot?
Send the list and let’s plan the shoot together
Tell me what you sell and where the images need to work, and you will get a clear recommendation and an itemised quote.