As a professional or freelance photographer, your main focus is to capture stunning images for your clients. But your work doesn’t stop after just pressing the shutter button. E-commerce business owners or businesses demand perfectly polished, high-resolution, and device-friendly edited images to boost sales.
However, if you enjoy editing photos, you can turn that into an upsell or outsource from a reputed photo editing agency to do your job in time.
But the question is: how much to charge for photo editing? In this article, we’ll discuss all key factors that influence photo editing costs like editors skills, editing costs across industry, post-production services details, editing complexity, and more.
The key purpose of photo editing is to enhance and manipulate the visual appeal of business products, services, and brand images with digital photo editing software, Adobe Photoshop. Its key goal is to increase customer engagement, boost branding, and improve sales through high-resolution and feature-rich images.
- Marketing and advertising: Editing helps to create visually compelling campaigns to ensure consistency with brand identity, evoke desired emotions, and attract promotional materials.
- E-commerce and retail: Editing helps to boost sales by highlighting products in the best possible light, and features, demonstrating daily usage guides, etc. It also ensures uniformity across product catalogs, creates a lifestyle to build connections with the real world and more.
- Real estate: Photo editing services help real estate owners attract potential buyers or renters by showcasing property images with better lighting, decor, and more.
- Fashion and beauty: Photo retouching or editing helps to create editorial images and emphasizes details of clothing, accessories, and makeup.
- Photography: Editing plays a vital role in highlighting photographers’ artistic vision and creativity by adding amazing effects (overlays, vignettes, etc.) and removing distractions.
Types of Photo Editing Services
There are three types of photo editing services depending on complexity and editing techniques, including:
Basic photo editing services
Basic photo editing’s are considered simple adjustments, like:
- Cropping: It involves trimming out a portion (peripheral) of the image to draw attention to the subject or improve the overall composition.
- Straighten: It refers to adjusting the horizon of the photo.
- Resizing: Adjusts the image dimensions.
- Noise reduction: Smooth the picture cut by reducing the pixel size.
- White balance: Changes the color of the light if necessary.
- Color adjustments: Change the element or item color in the image.
- Background remove: Remove busy or unwanted background from the image, and many others.
However, its key goal is to enhance the image’s appearance without complex manipulations.
Advanced photo editing services
These photo editing services refer to manipulating and enhancing photos using advanced editing techniques, such as:
- Layer-based editing: Expert designers work with multiple layers to add complex effects and blend elements.
- Background replacement: Replacing background with new ones or making them transparent.
- Shadow creation: Adding creative and realistic shadows to make photos more appealing and lively.
- Selective editing: Apply adjustments on specific areas using masks and gradients.
High-end photo editing services
High-end photo editing services involve more professional e-commerce platform-based editing, such as:
- Advanced retouching: Skin smoothing, blemish removal, wrinkle reduction, and others with precise control.
- Color grading: Color correction to achieve specific moods, often with custom color palettes.
- Creative composites: Combine multiple images to create a new scene with an image.
- Detailed manipulation: Adjust textures, lighting, and background details to enhance visual appeal.
- High-resolution editing: Working with large image files to maintain image quality.
Photo Editing Prices vs. Photo Editing Costs: Understanding the Difference
Photo editing prices refer to the photo editor charges for each service. On the other hand, photo editing costs involve the total amount a client spends on editor’s fees, additional services like file conversion, and other related expenses (i.e., software subscriptions).
For example, a professional photo editor might charge $45 or more per hour for basic image editing. Afterward, a client might charge $50 per hour and other fees added for additional post-processing services like color correction, resizing, and many more.
- Perspective: Photo editing prices are the external pricing that a photo editor or photo editing agency charges for their services. Whereas, photo editing costs refer to the service provider’s internal expenses, including resources, tools, labor, and overhead.
- Focus: Center on the customer’s side – how much they’re being charged for a specific level or service. On the other hand, the cost center point is on the service provider’s side – how much it costs to provide the service and maintain profitability.
- Components: Photo editing prices might include labor charges (per hour or image), the complexity of the editing (basic or advanced retouching), premiums, or bulk discounts. On the contrary, photo editing costs might include software subscriptions, equipment, labor expenses, training, marketing, etc.
- Transparency: Prices are often fixed or negotiable depending on client requirements. Costs are included internally and shared with clients.
- Market factors: Prices are influenced by market demand, competition, and perceived value of the service. However, the costs are influenced by operational efficiency tools, technology availability, etc.
Why Do Photo Editing Rates Vary Across Industries?
Photo editing rates vary across industries due to several reasons, such as:
Complexity of Edits
Some industries require basic retouching or editing (i.e., color correction, cropping, etc.), while others demand advanced and detailed photo editing (i.e., shadows adding, ghost mannequin, etc.). For example, real estate clients often demand basic adjustments like lighting, color correction, property photos, etc. But in the e-commerce platform clients often require extensive retouching including Amazon infographics, and so on.
Turnaround Time
Faster turnaround time often leads to extra payment or charges possibly for overtime work and prioritization. For example, e-commerce businesses require quick edits for urgent product launches or sales. Also, the magazine industry may need polished photos for advertising.
Volume of Photos
Bulk photo editing projects or higher volumes of images may cost less, but they also require more effort and time than usual. Suppose, an event or wedding requires streamlined processes but the costs might lower per-image rates.
Experience and Expertise
Beginner-level photo editors might not fulfill your advanced photo editing requirements, like image masking or others. For this, you need to hire experienced niche experts who deliver high-quality results within turnaround time and requirements. For example, specialists for creating HDR and correcting distorted images for architectural firms will demand more than a seasoned editor.
The competition in the industry
When the industry becomes competitive with numerous editors and editing platforms, editing agencies might offer affordable services. But the niche with fewer specialists leads to higher rates for artistic and creative edits.
Client Needs
Custom editing requirements can increase complexity and time that needs an advanced skill set for edits. For example, editors need to follow strict guidelines and clients’ suggestions to align with branding visual identity.
Location
Particular regions and industries play a vital role in photo editing rates due to differences in living costs, traveling, client expectations, and more. For example, editors in high-cost living areas like New York might charge more than other lower costs of living.
Revisions
Editors may need to go through several revision cycles to fulfill clients’ requirements like adjusting or changing product colors, resizing, etc. So, it’s important to clarify your policy on revisions like how many revisions are free or included in your pricing structure.
How Much to Charge for Photo Editing on Difficulty Level?
The exact charge for photo editing on difficulty level varies on several factors, such as:
For Basic Photo Editing
From resizing to straightening, color correction, minor blemish removal (i.e., dust spots, wrinkles on fabric, etc.), and others are included.
Time for image: 5-15 minutes or more.
Rates for charge:
- $20-$50 (per hour)
- $0.05-$5 (per image)
Examples: E-commerce product photography, event photography touch-ups, etc.
For Mid-Level Photo Editing
The mid-level photo editing includes detailed color grading and tone adjustments, HDR merging or exposure blending, moderate retouching, and more.
Time for image: 15-45 minutes or more.
Rates for charge:
- $30-$70 (per hour)
- $0.5-$5 (per image)
Examples: Portrait retouching (skin tone adjustments, blemish removal, etc.), sky replacements, and more.
For Advanced Photo Editing
The advanced photo editing includes high-end retouching, complex compositing, branding integration, and more.
Time for image: 1-4 hours or more.
Rates for charge:
- $70-$150 (per hour)
- $1.15-$5 (per image)
Examples: Fashion or beauty photography for magazines, advertising campaigns, and more.
Note: For fixed pricing on different high-quality photo editing services, check out our “Pricing” page which suits almost all sizes of businesses and ensures clarity.
Photo Editing Rates To Charge Based on Project Type
The photo editing rates are based on project type as follows:
Per Hour
Best for: Best for projects with complex edits and clients who want to have the flexibility to add or remove images or basic edits from the project.
Per-hour rates: $20-$95 or more based on experience, advanced tools, and location.
Example by project type:
- Basic edits: $20 to more for cropping, background removal, color correction, etc.
- High-end retouching: $35 to more for detailed skin retouching, composites, advanced lighting effects, etc.
- Creative edits: $50 to more for custom branding requirements, artistic manipulation, etc.
Per Image Charge
Best for: The option is great for small businesses, bulk projects, or projects where edits are relatively simple.
Per image rates: $0.25 to $1.15 or more depending on editing complexity and volume. Additional charges may be added due to customized requirements.
Example by project type:
- E-commerce product photos: $0.99 to more for background removal, basic retouching, color correction, etc.
- Real estate photography edits: $0.25 to more for brightness adjustments, sky replacements, HDR processing, etc.
- Event photography edits: $1.15 to more for retouching, enhancing specific moments, culling, etc.
- Beauty or fashion edits: $1.25 to more for high-end skin retouching, hair fixes, etc.
Project-Based Rates
Best for: The option is best for a fixed deadline like a campaign, fashion photoshoot, or others.
Per project rates: The pricing varies on the estimated time, deliveries, and complexity of the project.
Example by project type:
- E-commerce (Bulk-editing): Small projects will charge $100-$250 or more for 50 to more images. But the larger ones will charge $300 to more for 1,000+ images.
- Fashion campaign: $500 to more for editing 50 to higher-volume of images.
- Corporate branding: $1,000 to more for company profiles, branding materials, or ad campaigns.
Comparing Freelancers vs. Photo Editing Agencies
Freelancers vs. photo editing agencies – the comparison basically depends on your project’s size, complexity, budget, and timeline. Suppose, you should outsource photo editing services when you need customized editing works for bulk projects in time. On the other hand, freelancers are the best choice for small and specific projects.
Before heading to in-depth details, let’s look at the comparison table below:
| Notes | Freelancer | Agency |
|---|---|---|
Quality | Depends on the individual skillset | Consistent, technological-rich, and quality assurance |
Scalability | Limited | Excellent for small to bulk projects |
Revisions | Flexible but lower | Faster, with defined policies |
Reliability | Risk of unavailability (might not go for all) | Reliable, with backup editors |
Communication | Personal and direct | 24/7 customer support, managed and streamlined for big projects |
Technology | Limited to personal resources | Advanced editing tools and infrastructure |
Delivery time | Might slow for the large volume of projects | Faster, with a professional graphic designer team approach |
Customization | Depends on the individual skillset | Highly customizable |
Cost | Affordable | Cost-friendly |
Now, it’s time to look at more details between the two options!
Freelancers
Pros:
- Freelancers are flexible and prioritize rush projects, but may charge extra prices.
- Compared to agencies, freelancers are the best choice for small businesses.
- Freelancers can often provide your project with a more personal touch and offer flexible revisions.
Cons:
- Might lack advanced tools and not have the same level of agency experience.
- Communication can be more challenging with freelancers compared to agencies.
Photo Editing Agencies
Pros:
- Agencies have in-house experienced graphic designers with high-end editing skill sets.
- Always ensure high-quality, consistent branding, and in-time delivery.
- Have quality assurance processes and reduce the risk of errors.
- Provide structured workflows with creative editing to suit the client’s brand or industry standards.
- Use project management systems for clear communication and tracking.
- Invest in the latest editing tools and software to provide cutting-edge technology for sophisticated projects.
Cons:
- Often have a limited number of revisions for quality maintenance.
- Might charge more compared to freelancers for larger projects.
Frequently Asked Questions About Photo Editing Prices
How much do Photoshop services cost?
The Photoshop photo editing services cost start at $0.39 per image. However, the pricing structure depends on the edits’ complexity, image quantity, and the editor’s skill level.
How much does photo retouching cost?
Photo retouching service costs start from $1.10 per image. Other pricing plans are basic photo retouch $1.10, product retouch $1.30, glamour retouch $1.50, and high-end retouch $2.49. Free trials are available.
How Much to Charge for Real Estate Photo Editing?
You may charge from $1.50 to $12 or more per image for real estate photo editing. However, the basic edit starts around $1.50, and more advanced edits (HDR blending, object removal, etc.) may cost up to $12 per image.
Can I hire someone to edit my photos?
Yes, of course. You can hire professional photo editing experts to edit your photos. Contact us now and get high-quality editing in time.
Conclusion
In this article, how much to charge for editing photos, we’ve aimed to cover all significant factors related to photo editing pricing. We’ve outlined types of photo editing services, editing pricings on difficulty levels, freelancers vs. photo editing agencies outsourcing pricings, and more.
Hope you’ll be able to calculate yours and choose the best solution between freelancer and photo editing agency. Feel free to share your thoughts!
