What Actually Determines the Cost of a Production.
There's no flat per-photo rate here. Every project is scoped around what it actually takes to produce, so you're paying for the right production, not a generic photo count.
What Shapes the Scope
Deliverable count & type
Stills, motion, GIFs, and how many of each.
Location & permitting
A rented studio or space is handled directly at no extra coordination cost. A real-world location that needs city permits and insurance brings in a hired location scout, which adds cost.
Expenses
Each package includes an expense allowance for props, ingredients, and small production costs. Spending beyond that requires approval before it's incurred.
SKU capacity & complexity
Detailed work with focus stacking or a custom set moves slower, 3-5 SKUs a day. Simpler, consistent-scene shots move faster, up to 20-25 SKUs a day.
Talent & casting
Sourcing your own talent keeps cost down. A casting agency for a larger or more specific group adds cost.
Usage & licensing
The standard 5-year license covering most channels is included. Expanded usage, packaging, broadcast, or a buy-out is quoted separately.
Styling
In-house styling is included in every project. A dedicated food or drink stylist adds cost, along with efficiency and polish, for larger productions.
Vendor coordination
Hiring and managing third-party vendors, like a location scout or additional crew, adds a coordination fee, typically 5-15% of those costs.
Two Very Different Productions
Same photographer, very different scopes. Here's what separates a lean shoot from a full campaign build.
A focused shoot
Single SKU or a small product line
In-house styling
Studio setup, consistent-scene pace
Standard digital licensing
A full campaign build
Multi-SKU line with lifestyle and motion
A dedicated stylist
Possibly a location scout or casting agency
Storyboard-planned video, extended usage across paid and retail channels
Need Content Every Month Instead?
If you're producing content on an ongoing basis, a Monthly Content Partnership is usually a better fit than pricing out individual shoots one at a time.
Get a Recommendation for Your Project.
Tell us what you're producing and we'll recommend the right scope and a real estimate.