Price by definition is the amount of money expected, required, or given in payment for something. Price however does not equate to value or quality and is not what I compete on as I do not race to be at the bottom. There is bound to be a fellow photographer whose services are cheaper as well as other photographers who are more expensive than me. Before you decide who to choose as a food photographer and whether to base it solely on price, How to Hire a Food Photographer? gives a good overall view of the process and what to look out for.
Food and product photography costs in Singapore range wildly from $50 or less per image which are offered by hobbyist photographers to $100 or more per image by professional photographers for small companies. It is also very common that photographers charge by the hour or by half day (4 hours) or full day (8 hours) rates. There are others who charge based on the scope of the project which is what I do as no two projects or clients are the same. The number of images provided for each product varies, depending primarily on the specific photography package you choose and the particular requirements of the project. We collaborate with you to determine the most effective number of images needed to highlight your product's unique features and achieve your marketing goals. Once the project is completed, the final images are transferred to you electronically using a secure file-sharing service. The images are typically delivered in high-resolution JPEG or TIFF formats, which are ideal for both print and online purposes. We can also accommodate additional requests for other formats or tailor the image sizes to fit specific needs, ensuring the outputs align with your exact specifications. In addition, Joyce Leong Studio specializes in managing both large-scale and high-volume product photography projects. With a skilled team and streamlined processes in place, we are committed to delivering top-quality product images efficiently. To get started, please reach out to us with your project specifications, and we will create a tailored quote and provide an estimated timeline for completion.
It is common for loading fees to be bundled into the per image/per hourly/ day rates for small companies. For mid size and large companies or brands, loading fees are separated out as a line item and advertising coverage is the usual basis on which to charge loading fees. The market rate for loading fees is 4 to 5 times per image or charged as a percentage of the shooting/photographer’s fee such as double or triple the photographer’s normal rates. Loading fees is also known as licensing fees and usage fees. The rates will depend on how much revenue the images will help the company bring in so an ad campaign hero shot will have much higher value than for example library shots. Loading fees are also much higher for above-the-line (ATL) works as it is likely to reach a larger audience. Usage fees are at its peak running in thousands of dollars if you decide to go for a perpetual license as characterised by unlimited period and unlimited media with the copyright retained by the photographer.
Being a food and product photographer means that the payment is for the photography service provided and the image licensing requirements of the client. The price of a photo shoot would depend on the factors as listed below.
Shot List: The number of images that you want. For example, 1 product/dish with 3 different layouts/angles would equate to 3 shots. The same shot in both square and portrait orientation would warrant as 2 shots. Typically the more images you wish to shoot, the higher the cost of the photo shoot. In my membership, I offer unlimited images and videos so no more being a bean counter.
Complexity of the Shots: A shot of the product/dish on its own with no props and styling is less complex than a group shot with 5 dishes, many props with complicated food styling needed to make the shot work. Typically group shots, action shots, lifestyle shots, hands in frame shots, levitating shots are more complex and more time consuming.
Food Stylist &/ Prop Stylist: For specific shoots, a food stylist &/ prop stylist may be required so that the shoot can be executed according to the brief. More crew members on a photo shoot means the price would go up. If recipe development is required, food stylists would charge per recipe. Daily food stylist rates is $1600/day.
Studio Rental: For clients who wish to utilise a kitchen studio, daily studio rental prices are an add-on expense to the project. Daily kitchen rental is $1500/day. In my membership, on location or studio rental fees are included. My studio is open so reach out 👇 for bookings.
Creation of a Mood Board: Read Why a Killer Mood Board is a Necessary Evil to find out why my clients have been opting for this service that I provide. Alternatively I work off on the creative briefs or reference images provided by clients.
Backdrops and Props Sourcing and Purchase: For clients who cannot find what they want in my existing collections and request that I source and purchase backdrops and props for their project. If you are not sure why props can make or break your image, Using Props in Food and Product Photography can shed some light on this topic.
Licensing Requirements: In general exclusivity, longer duration, wider geographical location and more channels the images are used will cost more. Typically smaller companies are charged a lower licensing fee as their outreach or coverage is lower than that of a large company.
Exclusivity
Duration
Region
Channels: ATL or BTL Advertising Print, Web, Social Media or ? Have you been charging loading fees? gives a long list of examples of ATL and below-the-line (BTL) media.
Pre Production: Prop setups, location scouting and lighting test shoot, creative conceptualization, art direction would also fall under pre production fees. Additionally, we recommend that clients thoroughly clean and inspect their products before the photoshoot, ensuring they are free of dust, fingerprints, and any visible defects. If your products require assembly, please provide clear instructions. For clothing items, we suggest they be pressed or steamed to remove wrinkles. If you have specific styling preferences, please communicate them to our team before the shoot to ensure every detail is tailored to your vision.
Post Production: At our studio, we provide a suite of post-production services tailored to enhance and perfect your images. We start with basic color correction and clean up, ensuring each photograph achieves a natural and polished look. On occasions, we also utilize a professional retoucher for certain projects, especially when a more refined or complex editing process is required.Beyond these initial adjustments, our services extend to more detailed enhancements such as background removal or alterations, precise retouching to eliminate any visible imperfections, and advanced color grading to bring a new life to your photos. Whether the images are captured by our team or supplied by you, our goal is to elevate the quality to meet your exact needs.Our dedicated team of editors is equipped with the expertise to handle both minor adjustments and major transformations, providing you with a comprehensive editing solution irrespective of the project's complexity. This flexibility and attention to detail ensure that all your imaging needs are professionally addressed, making us a reliable choice for both standalone editing tasks and integrated photography projects.
Photographer: My professionalism, experience, style and vision as evidenced in my portfolio, my strong planning, art directing and lighting skills as reflected in clients’ testimonials and my cost of doing business would differ from a fellow photographer. For an detailed breakdown of my process, please read here