Quick Answer

Businesses in New York City should expect to pay premium rates for professional product photography, with costs ranging from $150 per image on the low end to $1500 or more per image for complex products and extensive editing. NYC is home to many of the top commercial photography studios serving global brands, commanding higher prices for their expertise, equipment and locations in areas like Manhattan and Brooklyn. Clients can reduce costs by providing products and models themselves, minimizing image editing needs, booking studio time in bulk, and comparing quotes between photographers. While professional photography in New York City comes at a premium, the high-quality images these seasoned studios produce are proven to boost brand appeal and generate sales that justify the investment many times over.

Introduction

From online stores to print catalogs, product photography is essential for giving potential customers an appealing visual representation of items for sale. For ecommerce businesses in particular, high quality product images can make or break a potential sale. However, professional product photography comes at a cost. Rates for studio product shoots can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per image depending on factors like photographer expertise, studio location, image usage rights and product complexity.

For businesses located in major metro areas like New York City, product photography tends to be at the premium end of pricing. New York is home to many of the top commercial photographers who produce stellar images for global brands. But these coveted photographers and studios charge accordingly. Getting professional product photography done can be a significant investment. However, quality product images pay for themselves many times over by boosting sales.

This article explores the key factors that influence product photography pricing in New York City. We’ll break down the typical price range based on product types, image licensing needs, studio locations, photographer experience levels and more. You’ll also learn insider tips for getting quality product shots at reasonable rates. By understanding the drivers behind New York product photography costs, you can smartly budget and invest in images tailored for your ecommerce or catalog needs. Let’s dive in!

Determining Your Product Photography Needs

The first step in obtaining product photography is determining your specific needs. Important factors that affect product photography pricing include:

Types of Products

Simple products like apparel generally require fewer shots than complex products like electronics or furniture. The number of angles needed and potential for close up shots or lifestyle photography will impact the time and cost.

Number of Products

The more individual product images you need, the higher the overall cost. But shooting multiple products together reduces the per-image price.

Image Uses

Photos for print catalogs, online stores, ads and social media have different requirements. Print uses need high resolution images while web uses can be lower.

Image Editing

Standard image adjustments like cropping, resizing, and color correction are quite easy tasks. But if you want to make your images more appealing, consider in choosing the right background removal service provider.

Model Photography

Lifestyle shots with models in real world settings usually costs more than studio product-only shots.

Location

Studios in central areas like New York City are more expensive than studios in remote areas.

Rights Usage

Prices are higher when photographers give up unlimited rights to the images. Limited licenses cost less.

By identifying your specific photography needs upfront, you enable photographers to provide an accurate quote.

Average Product Photography Pricing

Product photography costs vary based on the factors above, but some average price ranges are:

• Basic studio product shoot: $150-500 per image

• Medium complexity product shoot: $300-800 per image

• High complexity product shoot: $500-1500 per image

• Model/lifestyle product shoot: $700-2000 per image

• Product video: $2000-8000 per video

The per-image price decreases with the total number shot. A studio charging $500 per photo for a 10-item shoot may only charge $150 per photo for a 100-item shoot.

For comparison, stock photography costs around $10-100 per image for royalty-free rights. But stock images are generic instead of showcasing your specific products. Custom photography is an investment that directly boosts sales.

Product Photography Pricing Factors

Below are some top factors that affect product photography pricing:

1. Geographic Location

Like most services, photography rates are higher in major metro areas like New York City and Los Angeles compared to lower cost areas.

Location-based factors like studio rent, advertising costs, and competition drive prices up in places like NYC and Chicago. Photographers in smaller markets can charge less.

David Genik, a leading New York product photographer, charges a premium for his NYC location. But clients worldwide fly products into his Union Square studio for shoots because his expertise provides superior results.

2. Studio vs. On-Location

Studio photography is done at the photographer's studio space. This allows them total control over lighting, backgrounds, props and other elements. There's no travel time or additional fees.

On-location photography happens wherever the products normally appear. For example, a retail storefront, industrial factory or outdoor natural environment. While this shows products in realistic settings, it costs more for photographer travel time and transporting gear.

Studios like Pixeldust in Los Angeles offer both options. Studio product shoots start around $595/image while on-location shoots start at $645/image.

3. Product Categories

Some product categories require much more time, expertise and equipment than others:

• Jewelry - High magnification, perfect lighting, compositing

• Technology - Multiple angles, detail shots, lighting challenges

• Furniture - Very large, perfect lighting, heavy equipment

• Apparel - Adjusting fit, steamer, lifestyle context

• Food - Perishable products, intense lighting and color

A basic apparel shoot may cost $200 per image, while premium jewelry photography costs $1500 per image.

Photographers who specialize in certain items have the right skills, props and equipment to showcase them flawlessly. For example, Nick Ferrari Photography in Miami has expertise in jewelry, watches and eyewear.

4. Studio Gear Investment

Top photography studios invest $500,000 or more in the latest camera, lighting, background and rigging equipment. This gear allows them to produce the highest quality product imagery.

Photographers who invest heavily in studio gear need to charge higher rates to recoup that investment. Budget studios with entry level gear can charge less.

Mango Studios in Los Angeles charges premium rates, justified by a studio filled with $85,000 worth of lighting gear, high-end digital Medium Format cameras and an array of backgrounds and sets.

5. Photographer Experience

Hiring an expert commercial photographer who has shot similar products many times has value. They work efficiently and consistently produce images that sell products.

Renowned food photographer Steve Giralt in New York City charges up to $5500 per image. His unique lighting mastery and years perfecting food photography composition justify the premium fees.

Many clients use lesser known but talented emerging photographers who offer lower rates. However, there's more risk in getting usable shots that showcase the products effectively.

6. Image Licensing

Image licensing covers how the photos may be used. Two common options are:

Limited Licensing - You pay lower fees but can only use the images in specific ways outlined in a contract. The photographer retains rights.

Unlimited Licensing - You pay much higher fees for completely unlimited usage rights. The photographer has no rights to reuse the images.

For example, restaurant photographer Ron Manville charges $250 per dish image with limited licensing. But unlimited rights start at $1250 per image.

7. Product Counts

Pricing is usually based on the number of individual product images created. While each product and shot is different, these economies of scale generally apply:

• 1-10 products - The highest per-image rates

• 10-30 products - Rates start decreasing

• 30-100 products - Significant per-image price drops

• 100+ products - Bulk discount rates apply

A client needing 5 product shots will pay top dollar for each. A client needing 100 shots will pay much less per-image since the studio time and gear is maximized.

8. Post-Processing

Basic post-production like color correction, cropping and minor retouching is usually included. However, extensive post-processing adds to the cost:

• Complex clipping path creation for isolating products

• Adding or replacing backgrounds

• Compositing multiple product images together

• Advanced retouching of model photos

• Product demo animations and 360 degree spins

Ray Ward Studios in Los Angeles shows product photography rates starting at $295 per image. But intensive post-production extras like silhouetting start at $85 per image.

9. More Factors

Other factors that influence cost:

• Prop styling - Products alone or in context

• Model fees - Professional models are expensive

• Rush turnarounds - Pay overtime rates for fast deadlines

• Cancellation fees - Late cancellations waste studio time

• Travel fees - Added costs for on-location shoots

• Equipment rentals - Specialized rigs, high speed cameras, etc

• Creative fees - For layouts, art direction, concepts

• Studio size - Bigger studios are pricier

Talk through all project details with photographers to avoid surprise charges.

Cost Saving Tips for Product Shoots

Here are some tips for getting quality product photography at a reasonable cost:

1. Buyout stock images - Consider using stock images for generic products or supplementary uses like social media. Just ensure model releases are secured for branding use.

2. Diy basic shots - If perfection isn't needed, shoot simple products yourself on a budget. Use multipurpose backgrounds and inexpensive tabletop lighting kits.

3. Lower cost locales - Compare rates between major metro areas and more affordable regions. Consider if you can ship products for shoots vs paying travel fees.

4. Limit licensing - Don't pay extra for full rights if you only need web usage or a three year term. Clarify all intended usages upfront.

5. Provide props/models - Lower photography fees by providing any models, props, or special equipment needed. Also handle minor styling and retouching yourself.

6. Book time blocks - Plan multiple product shoots together and in marathon sessions to maximize studio time. Changeovers are quicker with the same lighting setup.

7. Simple backgrounds - Basic background like white and black cost less than complex setups and on-location shoots.

8. Limit billed hours - Agree upfront on the maximum hours or shots you can be billed for if more time is needed than quoted.

9. Hire emerging talent - Those building a portfolio will offer much lower rates in exchange for the experience and sample images.

Just ensure the images meet your quality standards. Every business is different. Invest in product photography that clearly showcases your items and makes the sale.

Top New York Product Photographers

Below are three excellent product photographers serving the New York City region across all major product categories:

David Genik Photography

With studios in Manhattan's Lower East Side district, David Genik is renowned for his premium product photography reflecting his earlier career as an advertising agency art director. He's a master of lighting products for maximum visual impact.

David Genik charges from $2000 per day depending on studio rentals, travel fees, crew size and licensing.

Tom Grill Photography

Tom Grill Photography has a spacious studio in Brooklyn's trendy DUMBO neighborhood. Grill has 30 years experience photographing luxury products like jewelry, accessories, liquor, tabletop items and packaged goods.

Tom Grill charges $750-5000 per image depending on products, usage, editing, etc. He's worked with Neiman Marcus, Harry Winston, Godiva Chocolates and many other high-end brands.

Kitchen Table Studios

As specialists in food photography and styling, Kitchen Table Studios help restaurants, cookbooks, brands and advertising agencies showcase dishes beautifully. They're based in a Chelsea studio.

Kitchen Table Studios charges $3000-5000 per shoot day including their food stylists and creative fees. They've shot for Eater magazine, Chipotle, Amy's Bread and many more.

Conclusion

Product photography pricing in New York City and other major metro areas certainly exceeds lower-cost regions. But for ecommerce businesses selling online, quality visuals are one of the best investments you can make.

While it may be tempting to cut costs with amateur photography or stock images, compelling product shots from an experienced commercial studio will pay off exponentially in increased conversions and sales. Investing in top-notch product images enables you to command higher prices and stand out from competitors.

The key is finding the optimal balance for your budget - a high caliber NYC studio that meets your quality standards at a rate you can justify. Carefully evaluate your specific photography needs. Compare portfolios and pricing between studios. Ask for references from past clients. License rights appropriately. And leverage volume shooting packages.

With an informed buying decision tailored to your products and budget, professional photography gives you image assets that boost your brand, engage customers and ultimately drive more revenue. In competitive markets like ecommerce, quality visual content is no longer optional. So plan a product photography investment that maximizes your return and propels your business forward.