Photography Day Rate Calculator
As a photographer, it’s essential to know your numbers. This calculator helps you find your minimum day rate (the amount you need to cover your yearly costs and actually make a profit). This rate doesn’t include production costs like travel, equipment rentals or photo assistants. It also doesn’t factor in additional income from things like usage rights. Still, the rate you calculate is a good benchmark for the least amount of money you should charge to not go bankrupt doing the job you love.
We highly recommend charging more than what this calculator shows. Also, keep in mind that every photographer is different. Your rates should reflect your niche, experience, location and clients. Once you’ve run the numbers, share your rate and compare notes with fellow pros, then adjust to fit your reality.
Tip: this calculator is easier to use on a larger screen.
Select your photography specialization
Pick the closest match to load sensible starting numbers below. You can edit every value afterwards.
Enter deductible expenses
These are only expenses that keep your business running. They don't include any personal expenses. Pre-filled with average European numbers, net amounts excluding VAT.
Photography equipment ▾
Business expenses ▾
Legal & admin ▾
Enter non-deductible expenses
These are your private expenses. To be able to pay for these, your photography business needs to make a profit first.
Living expenses ▾
Yearly net income: 0
Your tax rate
Enter whatever your effective income tax rate actually is, in your own country. We gross up your living expenses so the day rate covers them after tax.
Annual expenses summary
Overview of your yearly expenses breakdown.
Deductible expenses
- Equipment0
- Business0
- Legal & admin0
- Total deductible0
Non-deductible expenses
- Living expenses0
- Tax (0%)0
- Total non-deductible0
This is only the revenue implied by your calculated rate. It does not include separately billable items like production costs, equipment rental, travel or assistant fees.
Available working days
I am able and willing to work on these days each week:
Realistic Shoot Days per Week
Disclaimer: this tool is provided as-is, for informational purposes only. Always double-check your numbers and consult a professional if you're unsure.
Questions?
What currency should I use?
Whatever currency you work in. Just make sure every number you enter uses the same one, and adjust the prefilled defaults to your local market.
Where do the prefilled numbers come from?
What happens to the data I enter?
Who built this tool?
This tool is built by the team behind picdrop, an image sharing and feedback tool for professional photographers. You should check it out.
What is picdrop?
picdrop is the easiest way to share your photo and video shoots with clients. Create galleries in seconds and clients can comment, mark favorites or download, no login needed.
What if I charge below this rate?
Going low to win jobs rarely pays off long term. It undercuts you and the wider market. We don’t know a single photographer who built a sustainable business by being the cheapest.