As a car dealer, professional car photography prices can often catch you off guard. And why not? Professional car photographers can charge as much as $200 to $500 per hour. For more experienced ones, the number can go up from $300 to $2,000 per image. If the prospect of getting professional images of your inventory scares you, it is justified. Every car seller trying to build the presence of dealerships online probably knows how important professional-looking images are. From the background, exposure, and placement to window tinting and number plate masking, every element matters to create high-impact visuals for VDP.
Therefore, it is not really unfair for car photographers to quote ridiculous photography prices. However, this article is not intended to help photographers. By the time you finish reading this article, you will have found a perfect, more feasible solution to reduce the cost of inventory cataloging.
But first, let us understand why car photoshoot prices are on fire and what challenges they pose for dealerships.
What are Car Photography Prices?
Car photography pricing varies depending on the region due to various factors. In the US, for one hour, you can expect to pay around $300 for a professional Car Photographer. This one-hour car photography package is not enough to meet the requirements of car dealers.
Here’s how much you’d have to pay professional photographers for car photography:
- Average $300 Car photography prices per hour
- Average $800 for a 4-hour photoshoot
Automotive photography pricing for a 4-hour car photography package will take up $800 of your budget. These car photography prices can differ based on where you live in the United States. For example, in Los Angeles, automotive photography prices are on the higher side, around $200 more than average, because, in LA, car photographers charge around $1000 for a 4-hour package. The average cost of a 4-hour shoot is $840 in Princeton and $670 in Atlanta.
Understanding the Components of Car Photography Prices
Automotive photography is a growing field with new members joining in every day. The niche has seen so much growth that it is estimated to grow by 11.1% by 2032. This proves that there is a need for car photographers.
The consistent growth in demand has also given rise to an increase in rates. Earlier one could get a good enough photoshoot done for 50$ – 100$. Now, $200 is the beginning rate for a complete project. But many reasons behind this pricing go unseen. Let’s have a look at those:
Experience
The experience level of a photographer is a key factor in deciding their rates. This means a beginner photographer with a limited portfolio and recognition may not cost as much. However, an experienced professional with an extensive portfolio, refined skills, and industry recognition can cost anywhere from $500 to $1000. In turn, they also deliver top-quality results.
Tim Wallace best describes this in his quotes:
“Experience in this field is crucial, not just in terms of capturing beautiful shots but also in managing client expectations and handling complex lighting situations effortlessly.”
A skilled photographer is efficient in these. Ensuring 100% satisfaction for clients.
Expertise
Many photographers may not have much experience but are distinguished in a certain field. For instance, some photographers are better at motion shots than others, while others have exceptional themed photography skills.
These photographers may charge a nominal cost for normal packages. But astronomically for the skills they’re good at.
Time Required
Time is another crucial component when deciding pricing for photography gigs. Some gigs are complex but require less time. However, others may be easy and require more time. The price of the gigs is altered accordingly.
Travel Costs
Many photographers also charge for traveling when taking up projects. In this case, you don’t just pay for their logistics but also stay and other expenses. This is mostly applicable in the case of special gigs which take place in specific locations.
While the charges may seem high in this case. It is completely justified when you look at the final results.
Services Added
All the services availed have a certain cost for them. For instance, if you’re only opting for photography, your total is lesser. However, if you ask for editing and post-processing as well, charges are increased accordingly.
These components play a major role in deciding the final price of a gig. Thus, by understanding these, you can make an informed choice and ensure the best value for money.
What are the Usual Car Photo Specifications?
Car photography specifications can vary depending on the intended use of the final image. However, there are some general guidelines to follow for capturing high-quality photos. It is advised to keep the high resolution to 8688 x 5792 pixel .jpg image. Additionally, the standard angle should be 3/4 front and 3/4 rear, side, rear, front, + details. Allocating more time enables one to capture the subject from various perspectives and highlight intricate details.
Additionally, product prep includes a spot-cleaning car. Therefore one should have a vehicle washed before any photoshoot. As well, as for instant delivery via private link. One should download a single or all images at once with a .zip file. OC Product Photos offers a one-time purchase with unlimited use rights for their photos, which makes it a potential car photography cost-effective option compared to studios with per-use fees or limited licenses.
Budget of Automotive Photography
In the competitive landscape of physical photo studios, we acknowledge the diversity in pricing structures that studios often employ. Here, we present a generic pricing structure commonly observed in the industry, reflecting the standards many studios adhere to. However, we’d like to highlight that we stand out in this arena by offering a virtual studio, which boasts an effective and user-friendly interface, adding a new dimension to the photography experience.
Basic Pricing
When it comes to professional photography services, understanding the pricing structure is essential for both photographers and clients. Here’s a breakdown of basic pricing options commonly offered by photographers:
1) One Hour Session
Typically, a 1-hour session starts at a base price of $125, with a minimum booking duration of 1 hour. This option is popular for capturing essential moments or subjects.
2) Half-Day Session (4 Hours)
Studios commonly offer a half-day session at a standard rate of $500. This package allows for extended coverage, enabling photographers to explore different angles and creative possibilities.
3) Full-Day Session (8 Hours)
For clients seeking comprehensive and extended coverage, a full-day session is often priced around $1000. This provides ample time for creativity and a dynamic range of photography.
Additional Services
Image Editing: Many studios provide skilled image editing services, typically billed at a rate of $125 per hour. This service ensures that your photographs are refined and polished to perfection.
While physical photo studios adhere to common pricing structures, we pride ourselves on introducing a virtual studio with a user-friendly interface that revolutionizes the photography experience. As you consider your photography needs, our virtual studio stands as a testament to our commitment to innovation and providing you with the tools to capture your vision with ease and precision. Choose us for a photography experience that combines the best of technology and creativity.
Pricing Models in Car Photography
Pricing models are various techniques that photographers use to charge clients. These vary greatly depending on the photographer’s scope of work, desired outcome, and experience.
Let’s have a look at all the pricing models commonly used:
Hourly Rates
As the name suggests, these projects have a fixed charge per hour. They are often suitable for simple, smaller projects or when you need more flexibility. However, if not monitored properly, the charges can end up being higher than expected.
Thus in this model, it is important to log in the working hours and keep track. A good automotive photographer can charge anywhere between $50 to $200 per hour.
Flat rates or Packages
These are the simplest forms of pricing. In this, the photographer provides a package with a fixed price for a specific set of services. It is the best choice when you just need a quick, cost-effective solution.
A standard product shoot package often consists of a specific number of photos, set shooting time, and basic editing. For example, a photographer can provide a starting package of 15 high-resolution pictures, a 3-hour shoot, and 4 close-up detailed shots.
Since everything is aforementioned, you just need to pick a package that suits you. You can also get in touch and create a personalized package if needed.
Day Charges
Day rates also known as per-day charges are ideal for extensive projects. This means if your project requires an elaborate setup or multiple locations, this model is suitable.
Photographer offers 2 kinds of day rates – half day which covers 4 hours and full day with 8 hours. Basic editing and post-processing are also included in these packages. You can always ask for extensive edits or retouching by paying an additional charge.
Project Wise Pricing
If you have a very specific project in mind with certain needs and deliverables, project-wise pricing is opted for. It is the most flexible form of pricing. In this, the photographer notes down all the requirements and then chalks out a package.
These packages include all the elements from equipment to post-processing needs. Let’s understand this better with an example. If you need a commercial shoot with dynamic shots, extensive editing, and drone photography, project-wise pricing is for you. It covers all the scope of work and specialized equipment charges, to give a final rate.
Licensing Fees
Licensing fees are a separate charge taken by photographers for using images, especially for commercial purposes. It is different from shooting fees and is often fixed.
This ensures fair compensation of photographer for their intellectual property. However, it adds an element of complexity to the pricing structure and can be negotiated.
As a car dealer, understanding these and choosing one may seem haphazard. But, it’s not so difficult. You must start by understanding your needs and requirements. Once that is known, here are other factors to consider:
- Scope of Project and Complexity: Larger more complex projects take more time. In turn, project-based pricing or day rates work best.
- Budget: If you have a low budget, you must discuss that with the photographer. Package deals or hourly charges work best in this case while ensuring flexibility.
- Photographer’s Expertise: Experienced photographers always charge more compared to beginners. A good way to go around this is to ask for hourly or day rates.
- Needed Level of Service: If you need high-end creative services, charges tend to be higher. Thus, you can also ask for project-based pricing.
Factors Affecting Car Photography Costs
Now that you understand how pricing models work, let’s look at the factors that influence pricing:
Type of Shoot
Different shoot requirements have different costs depending on their complexity. Here are the common categories:
- Commercial: These shoots are performed for advertisements and product brochures. They require high-quality visuals specifically tailored for marketing and selling the automobile. In turn, it needs a larger team with extensive planning and additional licensing costs for ad usage. Thus, these shoots often end up costing higher rates.
- Editorial: Shoots for magazine spreads and automobile journals come under this category. While they do require high-quality results, the stakes aren’t too high here. Mainly because these focus more on storytelling and artistic representation of automobiles. Thus, you require a creative photographer with expertise. The rates are charged accordingly depending on the creative requirements and publication reach.
- Personal: These involve shoots done for private clients or enthusiasts. The stakes are low here and so are the charges. Compared to commercial shoots, they are way easier to perform. However, the final rates still vary depending on customization and additional services.
Equipment and Gear in Use
Every shoot has varied equipment requirements. Some require a basic setup with cameras and flashes. However, others may need high-end cameras, specialized lighting, and stabilizers for dynamic images. Thus, the prices vary accordingly.
For instance, a basic shoot with minimal lighting costs around $300. However, premium shoots with advanced gear and professional lighting can easily cost beyond $1500.
Location and Logistics
The location of a shoot also influences its cost. Usually, if you go for a studio shoot, it’s less expensive but may require more equipment. However, on-location shoots are more expensive. That is because they involve coordination with other parties, travel costs, and permits.
Post-processing and Editing Needs
The editing needs of a project play a major role in deciding the final cost. Basic editing needs like color correction or cropping charge minimally or may even be free. However, extensive editions like compositing, retouching, and adding special effects are more expensive. As it requires more time, and effort and is often performed by expert photographers.
Licensing and Usage Rights
As mentioned earlier, licensing pictures charges an additional cost. This makes personal use of pictures less expensive as there isn’t any licensing cost involved. While commercial images, used in advertising or marketing typically cost more for licensing needs.
Additional Services (if any)
If you opt for any services other than your packages, an additional cost is added. Thus, you may ask for printing, digital files, or videos as needed. But remember, it will increase the cost depending on the scope of work.
How Much do Car Photographers Charge?
Photographers can charge by the day or session, including travel and editing costs. Based on their experience, knowledge, and skill level, the car photo price list can range from $227 per hour to $636 for a four-hour shoot. When looking to hire a car photographer, you need to look at the skill level that fulfills your requirements as well as your budget.
Here is a car photography price list, ranging from beginner to pro.
| Photographer Level | Per Day | Per Hour |
| Beginner Photographers | Up to $1080 | Up to $50 |
| Amateur Photographers | $540 – $2160 | $25 – $100 |
| Intern Photographers | $1080 – $2160+ | $50 – $100+ |
| Semi-Professional Photographers | $1620 – $3240+ | $75 – $150+ |
| Professional Photographers | $2160 – $6480+ | $100 – $300+ |
| Top-Class Professional Photographers | $5400 – $10800+ | $250 – $500+ |
Why is Car Photography so Pricey?
Looking at the car images, it is easy to say that a professional car picture is just the result of a DSLR camera and the right exposure. However, the job is much more tricky than it looks.
- One of the major reasons why car photography prices are high is that the challenges are more, and mistakes can cost a lot. So, it almost becomes a necessity to hire photographers with more experience and better equipment.
- Cars are expensive and large products to shoot. Therefore, the challenges are higher, and the equipment is quite expensive. To maintain the profit margins, the photographers have to cover the cost involved in the production.
This ultimately increases the final car photography prices.
How AI Car Photography Can Help You to Reduce Cost?
Ever since the rise of AI, it has become a transformative force. It has reshaped many industries including photography. In turn, streamlining processes and boosting workflow.
So much so, that 95% of photographers believe AI will cause a significant change in the next 5 years. This proves that using AI in car photography might just be the secret to success for car dealers. Here’s how:
Quick and Accurate Editing
Traditional image editing is a long process that needs a considerable amount of time investment. Sometimes, it even takes days to get to the perfect edit for a single picture. AI can help simplify this process.
The various algorithms can detect and remove distracting background elements. It adjusts the color balance and lighting with efficiency. Enhancing details such as interior and paint is also made easy. This ensures dealers can quickly list their images without sacrificing quality.
Consistency of Pictures
Spotting and editing every image with consistency is not always manually possible. Simply because humans aren’t designed for 100% accuracy. They get tired and are not able to pay the same amount of attention to detail. But AI doesn’t have this problem.
These tools use the same algorithm and parameters to edit images. This ensures each image has consistent processing and professional outcome. Thus, dealers can build trust with potential customers and create a recognizable brand.
Time and Cost Effective
Getting post-processing services from the best photographers can cost you a fortune. Especially because they charge according to their expertise which can sum up to a hefty amount. It also required specialized software and a considerable amount of time.
However, AI tools can streamline this process with minimal investment. They provide virtual showrooms to capture images without the need for any complicated background or photographers. It is also trained to edit and enhance the images thereafter, saving dealers time and money.
How can Dealerships Reduce Photography Costs?
If a dealership’s new and used car photography prices images are sub-par, it can lead to fewer clicks and high costs. Now that we know how high car dealership photography prices are and the reasons behind them, it is time for a solution.
Deep-tech companies like Spyne.ai are helping car sellers in automotive marketing and businesses generate high-impact catalog visuals with just a few clicks and at a 75% lesser cost. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are changing the traditional way of doing car photography while saving money spent on high prices.
The solution to your expensive photoshoot is Spyne’s auto dealership photography, editing, and publishing software.
| Shoot Duration | Average cost in the US (Atlanta) | Spyne’s Price |
| 1 Hour | $240 | $50 |
| 2 Hours | $384 | $100 |
| 3 Hours | $527 | $150 |
| 4 Hours | $671 | $200 |
With Spyne, you don’t need to book a studio, hire a photographer, or transport your vehicles.
Here’s how Spyne does it:
Professional-looking car images with a smartphone
Spyne’s in-app AI camera helps dealers and sellers shoot car images with a smartphone. The AI tech guides the photoshoot to suggest the best angles, lighting, exposure, car placement, and much more.
This not only reduces the cost of hiring a photographer but also saves on getting an expensive camera for clicking excellent shots.
With this AI technology, your smartphone will do the deed!
AI editor for studio-like output
Once your raw images are ready, it’s time for Spyne’s AI image editor to do the magic.
Since you take hundreds of clicks, shouldn’t it take forever to edit these images? Ideally, yes, but not with Spyne’s virtual studio. No need for a manual retouch.
With a few clicks, you can instantly produce high-quality output similar to what you’d see in a studio. Book a demo to avoid paying for high car photography prices without lowering your quality of images.
High-quality car visuals at affordable prices
For small and medium-sized dealerships and marketplaces, Spyne offers subscription plans – starting as low as $120. You can choose between our annual and monthly plans, as per your requirements. Large-scale and franchise dealerships can directly purchase credits instead. Check out our pricing plans here.
Conclusion
Professional car photography can come with a hefty price tag, often ranging from $200 to $500 per hour or more. However, the challenges in capturing automotive excellence, coupled with the high costs of equipment and studio rentals, justify these car photography rates. Yet, the automotive industry is witnessing a transformative shift with technological innovations like Spyne.ai. This AI-powered solution enables dealerships to produce high-impact car catalog visuals inexpensively and with ease.
