"How much does product photography cost?" is the first question almost every brand asks — and the answer is usually a frustrating "it depends." So let's make it clear. Here's how eCommerce product photography is priced in 2026, what's typically included, and how to budget sensibly.
How product photography is priced
Most studios price per image or per product, not per hour. That's good for you: you know your cost up front and it scales predictably with your range. At GQ Studios, standard apparel starts from £14+VAT for a single image, £17 for front & back, and £20 for front, back & a detail shot.
What should be included
Per-image pricing should include the work that makes an image usable, not just the click of the shutter. Ours includes:
- Steaming and styling of every garment
- Consistent, retail-grade lighting on a clean background
- Retouching — crease removal, colour balancing, clipping
- Resizing to your store's exact specs (high-res and web-ready)
Watch out for studios that quote a low headline rate and then charge separately for editing, usage or file formats.
What drives cost up (and down)
- Volume: the more products per shoot, the lower the cost per image. Many studios (us included) reserve their best rates for orders of 20+ items.
- Shot count: front-only is cheapest; adding back and detail shots increases the per-product price but tells a fuller story.
- Format: specialist work — 360 spin, jewellery macro, on-model — is priced differently from standard apparel.
- Turnaround: a guaranteed 24-hour priority service typically carries a premium (ours is +50%).
Typical rates by format
- Ghost mannequin & flat lay: from £14+VAT per image
- Kids premium (hanging flat): from £22+VAT per image
- Jewellery (focus-stacked): £24+VAT per image
- Watches: from £28+VAT per image
- 360 spin: from £32+VAT per spin
- On-model (AI) imagery: bespoke, quoted by volume
How to budget
Estimate your number of products, decide how many images each needs, and multiply. Add any priority turnaround, and remember small orders may carry a per-item surcharge. For a precise figure, send us your range size and we'll put together a tailored quote — or browse the full pricing page.
Ready to shoot your range? Get a quote or see our full pricing.