I love what I do—capturing moments, building emotion, telling stories. But sometimes, pricing can seem confusing or even steep. I want to pull back the curtain on what goes into the cost of hiring a professional photographer, so you can see exactly which pieces add up.
The Hidden Work Behind the Shoot
When you book me, the shoot itself (say 3-5 hours for an event) is only one part of the process. Here's what else typically happens before, during, and after:
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Planning and communication with you
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Travel time, possibly scouting locations
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Set-up of gear, lighting, etc.
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The photoshoot itself (your 3-5 hours)
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Post-production, which includes:
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Downloading and backing up all files to multiple storage locations
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Culling (choosing) the best shots
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Editing: removing blemishes, softening skin, color correction, special artistic edits
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Retouching, resizing, formatting for print/web
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Uploading to online galleries or making USBs/disks
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Any client revisions or requests
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It’s common that for a 5-hour shoot, I’ll spend an additional 30 hours or more doing all of the above. That means the “real” time invested is closer to 35-40 hours, not just the time we spend together.
What It Costs Me To Do the Job Right
Here are the kinds of expenses that go into running the business—many of which you don’t see, but you benefit from:
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High-end camera bodies and multiple lenses (wide angles, telephoto, fast primes, etc.) so I can adapt to any condition
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Lighting gear: flashes, strobes, modifiers, lighting stands, backups
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Software subscriptions: Lightroom, Photoshop, plug-ins, and sometimes special retouching tools
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Computer hardware & storage: fast processors, color‐accurate monitors, multiple backup drives or cloud storage
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Website, galleries, branding, marketing, and keeping up with trends (both in style & technology)
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Insurance: equipment insurance, liability insurance (for events, liability if gear damages property or people)
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Upgrades & maintenance: equipment ages, tech evolves, gear wears out
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Off-season: when fewer shoots happen, but overhead (software, insurance, storage, etc.) doesn’t stop
Cost of Living in Colorado — Why That Matters
To understand why my rates start where they do, here are a few relevant numbers for Colorado (so you can see what I’m balancing):
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The average cost of living per person in Colorado is estimated at about $53,374/year.
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The state's cost of living is about 13% higher than the U.S. average, largely driven by housing.
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Average housing costs are often the largest expense: median home values are well over $450,000 in many parts, and monthly home costs or rent are high.
So, when I'm investing in living and doing business in Colorado, many base costs are significantly higher than what someone might face elsewhere.
My Pricing & What It Really Means
My event coverage rate starts at $350/hour. But here’s how that plays out in real life:
| Item | Approx. Time | Rate / Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Shoot day | 5 hours | $350 × 5 = $1,750 total |
| Post-production (culling, color correction, retouching, exporting) | ~30 hours | Included in total |
| Misc costs (storage, software, galleries, backups) | ongoing overhead | Included in total |
So while the up-front cost is $1,750, that fee actually covers around 35 hours of work (shooting + editing + delivery).
That means my “true” hourly rate isn’t $350. It’s closer to $50/hour once everything is factored in.
And keep in mind—part of that $50/hour still goes right back into covering overhead costs like insurance, website hosting, editing software, storage, and gear maintenance. Once those expenses are paid, my actual take-home rate is much lower than $50/hour.
What You’re Paying For — The Value
When you hire me, here’s what you get beyond the time:
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Professional quality, consistently
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Photos that tell a story, with emotion, usable in many formats (print, web, social)
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Peace of mind: back-ups, reliability, expertise
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The experience: comfort, creativity, someone there who handles lighting, posing, problem-solving
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Warranty & professionalism: I carry insurance; I meet standards; I deliver on time
Summary
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My base event coverage rate starts at $350/hour
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Behind every hour you see is many more hours of prep + post-production
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Once you factor in everything, my true hourly rate averages closer to $50/hour
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After covering business overhead, my real take-home is even lower than that
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The overall cost of living here in Colorado is significantly above the national average, especially for housing, so rates must be set accordingly to ensure quality and sustainability
Photography isn’t just about taking pictures—it’s about preserving memories, creating art, and making sure you have something lasting to cherish. When you invest in a photographer, you’re investing in much more than a few hours on shoot day.
Excited to collaborate with you—let’s make some magic. 🚀
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