A guide to product photography pricing in UK

If you’re running an e-commerce store, you already know that visuals sell faster than words ever could. But when it comes to pricing product photography in the UK, things can get confusing fast. Why does one photographer quote £20 per image while another wants £300? What do you really get for that money?

The truth is, UK product photography pricing depends on a mix of factors — experience, setup time, style, and how complex your products are to shoot. So before you book your next session, let’s break down the real costs, categories, and what’s actually worth paying for.

Photographers in the UK typically charge in one of two ways — by hour/day or per image.

If you’re planning a short session with a small batch of products, hourly or daily pricing works best. Rates usually range between £50 and £200 per hour, depending on skill level, setup time, and whether you’re in London, Manchester, or a smaller town.

Per-image pricing is more common for straightforward e-commerce projects. These sit anywhere between £10 and £100 per image, depending on editing and styling. The lower end covers basic packshots on white backgrounds, while the upper end includes retouching, creative lighting, and complex products like jewelry or glassware.

Some photographers also offer full-day packages — often £200 to £1,000+ per day — for larger catalog projects or consistent e-commerce imagery.

In short: per-hour rates are best for creative or complex shoots; per-image rates suit simple, repeatable content for your online store.

Packshot photography covers simple, clean images (usually on white or neutral backgrounds) that showcase your product’s shape and details clearly. It’s the bread-and-butter of e-commerce visuals.

There’s usually a minimum charge of around £150 per session, which covers studio setup, lighting, and base editing. Most UK photographers include color correction and standard retouching, but extras like clipping paths or background removal can add to the cost.

Packshots are ideal for online marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, or Shopify stores where consistency and speed matter most.

Lifestyle shots tell a story: your products in real-world settings with props, backgrounds, or even models. They’re what you see on Instagram feeds and brand websites when companies want to show how their products fit into everyday life.

The per-image rate for lifestyle photography often matches standard packshot pricing, but you’ll pay extra for set creation. That setup fee covers prop sourcing, staging, and lighting, all of which determine the final look and feel of your images.

Lifestyle photography is perfect for fashion, homeware, beauty, or food brands looking to build an emotional connection with customers. It’s also more versatile — these images double as website banners, social media posts, and ads.

Creative shoots take things a step further. They involve conceptual setups, art direction, and often client attendance. These are the images you’d see in glossy campaigns or hero banners — bold, dramatic, and polished.

Prices here depend on the size of the studio, the complexity of lighting, and any creative input like stylists or directors. Most photographers include color correction and basic clean-up, but complex retouching can run £40/hour or more.

This level of work is ideal for brands launching a new product line or campaign that demands standout visuals rather than volume.

E-commerce shoots are all about efficiency and consistency — think hundreds of SKUs photographed under identical lighting for your website or catalog. These projects often use bulk pricing models, with per-image rates dropping as quantities increase.

If you’re shooting 50+ products, most studios offer discounted packages. Expect savings of 10–40% compared to single-product rates. Turnaround time also matters: rush jobs or next-day edits usually come with an added fee.

For small businesses, this type of service brings the most value — fast, clean, scalable, and perfectly aligned with e-commerce needs.

Product photography cost isn’t just about camera time. It’s shaped by several key factors:

Experience and expertise: seasoned photographers charge more, but they work faster and deliver stronger results — especially for reflective or complex materials.

Location: London photographers typically command higher rates (£100–£300/hr) compared to regional cities like Manchester or Birmingham, where you might pay £60–£180/hr.

Complexity: jewelry, glassware, and lifestyle shoots with models require additional setup time and retouching, raising prices.

Post-production: basic color correction is often included, but advanced edits (like shadow creation or background replacement) add cost.

Turnaround time: need your images tomorrow? Expect to pay a rush fee of 20–40%.

Props, models, and studios: hiring models or renting large sets pushes the price up; many photographers offer “everyday models” from £25/hour or professionals from £50/hour.

Once you factor all that in, UK pricing starts to make a lot more sense.

Prices vary across the UK, and geography can make a noticeable difference.

London remains the priciest hub due to higher studio rents and demand. Expect £100–£300/hr for high-end shoots, or £50–£150 per image.

Manchester sits in the mid-range, with hourly rates around £70–£200 and per-image pricing at £30–£100.

Birmingham and surrounding Midlands cities usually fall between £25–£90 per image — a sweet spot for smaller brands seeking professional results on tighter budgets.

Smaller towns and rural areas are more affordable, with hourly rates starting around £40. These photographers often work from home studios, making them perfect for startups and artisans.

Wherever you are, remember: paying for experience and clear communication often saves you money in the long run.

Product photography pricing in the UK might look all over the place, but once you understand what’s behind the numbers, it gets easier to budget smartly.

Whether you’re going for clean packshots or lifestyle storytelling, remember: good photos are an investment. They help your products stand out, convert faster, and build trust with your customers. Take your time to compare quotes, review portfolios, and find a photographer (or CGI partner like Welpix) who fits both your style and your budget.