Event Photography Pricing: Hourly Rates and Packages
Set hourly rates and packages for parties, conferences and launches, including minimums, overtime and same day delivery.
In this article
For event photography, quote an hourly rate with a minimum booking for short or uncertain jobs, and a package for events with a clear scope. Add overtime and rush delivery as stated extras. The figures below are examples in a generic currency; calculate your own.
Hourly versus package
Hourly rate. Simple and transparent. The client pays for the time you are there. Best for corporate mixers, parties and short launches.
Package. A single price for a set number of hours and edited images. Best for conferences, long events or clients who want to approve a fixed budget.
Day rate. For multi-session events like conferences. Covers up to 8 or 10 hours with breaks.
Consider how clients buy. A corporate events team often needs a single quote for approval. A private party host often asks for an hourly rate. Offer both and explain the difference. For the broader method, see how to price photography packages.
Minimum bookings
A one-hour event still needs travel, setup, culling, editing and delivery. A minimum protects your time.
Example (illustrative): minimum 2 hours. A one-hour event is billed at 2 hours. This also discourages tiny bookings that cost more than they earn.
Work out your minimum by adding fixed time:
- Inquiry and planning: 1 hour
- Travel: 1 hour
- Setup and arrival: 0.5 hour
- Editing and delivery: roughly 1 to 1.5 hours of editing per hour shot
- Admin: 0.5 hour
Even a short event takes several hours. Set a minimum that covers it and say it plainly in your rate card. Our post on discount policy can help you respond if a client asks to reduce it.
Overtime
Events run late. Plan for it.
Common approaches:
- Overtime at the standard hourly rate, in 30 minute blocks.
- Overtime at a higher rate, such as 1.25 times, after the contracted time.
- A cap: "We will stay up to 30 minutes longer without charge; after that, overtime applies."
Put it in the contract and mention it at booking. Also ask who can authorise overtime on the day, since the person who hired you may not be there at the end. Add a line for late-night travel if the event ends past a certain hour.
If you hire a helper or work with a team, overtime affects them too; see raising your prices for how pricing and costs interact over time.
Rush delivery
Event clients often want images fast: social media posts the same night, a press update the next morning.
Offer clear levels:
- Standard: 5 to 7 days
- Fast: within 48 hours
- Same day: a small selection during or right after the event
Same day delivery needs a laptop, a stable connection and a plan. Limit the number of images, say 10 to 20, and charge for it. Example: same day extra, 100; within 48 hours, 50.
Be honest about quality. Rush editing means lighter retouching. Explain that a fuller gallery follows later.
Example rate card
These figures are illustrative.
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Hourly rate, 2 hour minimum | 120 per hour |
| 3 hour package, up to 150 edited images | 330 |
| 6 hour package, up to 300 edited images | 600 |
| Full day, up to 10 hours | 950 |
| Overtime | 130 per hour, in 30 minute blocks |
| Same day selection, 15 images | 100 |
| Delivery within 48 hours | 50 |
| Second photographer | 80 per hour |
| Travel beyond 25 km | 0.60 per km |
Check each against your costs and target hourly rate. For a 3 hour event: 3 hours on site, 1 hour travel, 4 hours editing, 1.5 hours planning and admin. That is 9.5 hours for 330, or about 35 an hour before costs. If that is below your target, raise the package price or reduce the image count.
Taxes such as GST or VAT may apply to event invoices; ask a local accountant. Take a deposit to hold the date, and have the contract state cancellation and rescheduling terms. Rules differ by region.
When promoting event work, you may use ads; see Google Ads for photographers for what to consider.
How ClickBook helps
ClickBook lets you build event packages and send a proposal that includes overtime and add-ons in one quote. The client chooses a payment plan and signs on their phone from one private link. See a demo.
Keep it simple
Publish a short rate card, state your minimum and overtime clearly and quote each event in writing. Review after ten events and adjust your numbers.
Questions to ask before quoting
A few answers change an event quote more than anything else. How many guests are expected, and is the venue indoors or outdoors? Are there speeches, awards or a moving schedule that need a second photographer? Does the client need group shots, candid coverage or both? Who will approve the images, and do they need a contact sheet before the full gallery? Ask these before giving a number. A quote built on real answers rarely needs reworking, and the client sees that you have thought about their day rather than reciting a rate.
Frequently asked questions
Should I charge hourly or by package for events?
Hourly is simple for short or uncertain events. Packages work better when the scope is clear and the client wants a single price. Many photographers offer both with a minimum.
What is a normal minimum booking?
Often two to three hours, because setup, travel and editing take the same time regardless of length. Set yours based on your fixed time per event.
How should I charge overtime?
Many charge the hourly rate or a higher rate after the booked time, billed in 30 or 60 minute blocks. Put it in the contract.
Can I offer same day delivery?
Yes, as a priced extra. Same day work means editing during or right after the event, so charge for the extra effort and limit the image count.