Freelancer Client Kit / Rate calculators
Photographer Hourly Rate Calculator
Find the minimum hourly rate that covers the income you want, taxes, business costs, time off and the hours you can really bill. Starting numbers are editable examples, not market averages.
Minimum hourly rate
Where photographers lose money
- The pitfall: Editing time is rarely counted but often equals shoot time.
- The fix: Charge for the shoot, editing and usage rights separately.
- Scope creep to expect: Reshoots and 'a few more edited images' after delivery.
Frequently asked questions
How do I set my hourly rate as a freelance photographer?
Start from the take-home income you want, add tax and business costs to get the revenue you need, then divide by the hours you can realistically bill in a year. This calculator does that for you.
How many billable hours a week should a photographer plan for?
Far fewer than a full week. Sales, admin, revisions and gaps between projects are unbilled. 18 hours a week is used here as an editable starting point, not a market statistic.
Should I charge hourly or per project?
Use the hourly figure as your floor, then quote fixed prices that clear it with room for revisions. If a project takes longer than planned, the margin protects your real hourly pay.
Protect the rate once you have set it
A good rate means nothing if scope creep and late payments eat it. The Freelancer Client Kit has 53 copy-paste templates, scripts and AI prompts for quoting, scope changes and getting paid on time.
Also free: late payment fee calculator · tax set-aside calculator · scope change email generator. General guidance, not financial, tax or legal advice.