Product Photography Cost Calculator
Answer a few questions about your photography project, one step at a time, and watch the estimate build as you go. See what can be done with your budget and the time it takes to shoot your products. This is a planning range, not a quote. Final price depends on shot count, shot complexity, retouching level, and usage rights. Request a Custom Quote and we'll price your project line by line.
Not sure which style fits? See our on-white, lifestyle, ecommerce, commercial, and softgoods and apparel photography. Outside Chicago? Here's how ship-in projects work.
What are you photographing?
Choose everything that applies. You can mix categories in one project.
What kind of photography do you need?
Pick the closest fit. You can change it later.
How many shots do you need?
Enter the total shots for each line. Not sure? Use the product helper under any field.
Custom and commercial work is priced to your brief.
There is no per-shot rate to add up here. Continue to set delivery and usage, and we will put the details into your quote request.
When do you need it, and where will it run?
Timeline and usage rights both change the price, so we ask before the total.
Your quote
Here is everything you have chosen. Change any line, or go back to a step.
This is a planning range for typical Chicago product photography projects. Your actual quote may vary based on the specifics.
White background product photography in Chicago typically runs $50–$300 per shot depending on the product, and lifestyle photography runs $200–$500 per shot.
| Product | On-white | Lifestyle |
|---|---|---|
| Clothing, on figure | $150–$300 | $200–$500 |
| Clothing, on mannequin | $75–$200 | $200–$500 |
| Clothing, layflat | $75–$200 | $200–$500 |
| Packaging | $50–$150 | $200–$500 |
| Beauty | $50–$150 | $200–$500 |
| Softgoods | $75–$200 | $200–$500 |
| Standard product | $50–$150 | $200–$500 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What affects the cost of product photography?
Three primary factors drive cost: the quantity of products or setups, shot complexity (ranging from simple white-background work to fully styled environmental scenes), and delivery timeline. Expedited turnaround typically adds 20 to 50 percent to the project total.
How does pricing work at Zimmerman Photo?
We work on project-based pricing rather than hourly rates. Each engagement begins with a photography brief documenting your products, usage intentions, shot requirements, and timeline. The calculator ranges reflect standard production costs for typical projects, specialized work requires a custom proposal.
Is the calculator estimate binding?
No. The figures represent informational ranges based on typical project scope and carry no pricing commitment. Final costs depend on the specific project details we review together after you reach out.
What is included in a standard shoot?
Standard inclusions cover studio access, lighting configuration, pre-production consultation, high-resolution file delivery, and standard retouching: color correction, background cleanup, and clipping paths. Advanced retouching is billed separately: skin retouching, heavy reshaping or product adjustments, and hue shifts.
Ready for Exact Pricing?
The calculator gives you a range to plan around. A custom quote gives you exact pricing for your project, line by line. Tell us about your project and we'll respond within one business day.
Request a Custom Quote