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2025 pricing guide: what professional still-life photography really costs
Wondering how much a professional still-life shoot will cost you in 2025? This guide breaks down every line item—from pre-production to licensing—so you can budget smartly and negotiate with confidence.
Why still-life photography pricing keeps climbing in 2025
Inflation, stricter environmental standards and rising talent demand all push up still-life photography pricing. Brands compete for bold, scroll-stopping visuals, while supply remains niche. The result: 5–12 % annual rate increases across most European and North-American markets.
Main cost components of a still-life shoot
1. Pre-production
Concept design, prop shopping, mood-boards and test shots typically represent 15–25 % of the total budget. Crafting a mood-board that inspires your still-life photographer speeds approvals and keeps costs on track.
2. Creative fees (shoot day)
Day rates vary with reputation, region and complexity. In top creative hubs, expect €1 200–€2 500 per shoot day for a mid-level professional. Emerging talent may start at €650, while A-list specialists surpass €3 500.
3. Studio & equipment
Studio rental averages €400 per day, including basic grip gear. Special lenses, macro rails or medium-format bodies can add €250–€600. Going eco-friendly? Explore sustainable set materials that also impress conscious clients.
4. Styling & props
Still-life shines when styling is meticulous. Budget €300–€1 000 for a prop stylist plus actual prop purchases or rentals. Tight budget? Check budget-smart prop sourcing tactics.
5. Post-production
High-end retouching ranges from €60 to €120 per image. Complex compositing or CGI integration raises that figure. Planning AI previews? AI mock-ups help reduce revision rounds.
6. Usage licensing
Usage fees reflect reach, duration and exclusivity. A one-year web-only licence often starts around €500, while full global print, OOH and digital rights can exceed €5 000 per image.
Pricing scenarios in 2025
Before we dive into the numbers, it helps to visualise how variables—deliverables, usage length, creative calibre, production complexity—intersect to shape a final quote. Imagine sliding sliders for image count, channels and duration: a small tweak can shift thousands of euros. The forthcoming table translates four common briefing situations into indicative 2025 budgets so you can benchmark your own project long before you open negotiations with talent reps.
| Scenario | Deliverables | Average Budget (€) |
|---|---|---|
| Lean e-commerce | 5 images, web-only | 2 500 – 3 800 |
| Editorial feature | 8 images, print & web, 1-year | 6 000 – 9 000 |
| National campaign | 12 images, OOH & digital, 3-year | 18 000 – 28 000 |
| Hero product launch | 15 images + social crops, global, 5-year | 35 000 – 55 000 |
Seven tips to keep your still-life photography pricing under control
- Lock the brief early with visual references.
- Batch shoot similar products in one session.
- Negotiate volume discounts on retouching.
- Opt for seasonal studio packages.
- Reuse props where brand-fit allows.
- License just the channels you truly need today.
- Source photographers through transparent marketplaces such as the Artfolio still-life directory to compare rates side by side.
Quiz: Are your cost assumptions realistic?
FAQ
- How much does a single still-life photo cost in 2025?
- Including creative fee, basic retouching and a one-year web licence, expect €600–€1 200 per image.
- Why are usage fees separate from the shoot day rate?
- Day rates compensate creation; usage fees cover the commercial value of the image across channels and time.
- Can I save money by providing my own props?
- Yes, but ensure quality and brand alignment. Stylist time for preparation is still billable.
- Does eco-friendly production cost more?
- Not necessarily. Sustainable sets can cut waste disposal fees and win CSR budget internally.
- How far in advance should I book a still-life photographer?
- Four to six weeks is ideal for popular talent; last-minute bookings often attract rush fees of 20–30 %.
Take the next step
Ready to brief your project? Cross-check a photographer's profile against our still-life recruiter checklist and request a quote today.
Call to action: Compare portfolios, availability and transparent rates in seconds on Artfolio's still-life directory.
