As a commercial photographer, you’re not just capturing photos and delivering images. You add a professional look to your pictures, and because commercial photography is used to sell, promote, and advertise people and products, you must put extra effort into it. Your invoices should reflect this.
What should be included in your commercial photography invoice? How should you price services? Where do you find ideal invoice templates for photography? Read on to find out!
What Is a Commercial Photography Invoice?
A commercial photography invoice is a billing document that breaks down all labor costs and expenses of a photographer whose images will be used for commercial intentions. These services are typically used to sell products or services, such as e-commerce product images, but businesses can use commercial photography for all sorts of commercial usage.
What to Include in Your Commercial Photography Invoice
Before you bill your clients, add all crucial components to your commercial photography invoice. Missing important information can make your invoice seem unprofessional. Freelance photography invoice templates always include:
- Photographer or company’s name and contact information
- Client’s name and contact information
- Invoice number and invoice date
- Payment due date
- List of items and services provided
- Description and price of each item
- Taxes with tax number
How to Invoice Commercial Photography Clients
If you’re just starting, you might be confused about how to bill clients. Don’t worry—seasoned photographers use some standard methods to invoice their clients. We’ll share the top three billing methods you can use for your commercial photography clients, but before you set a process for invoicing, decide on your hourly rate.
Time Plus Cost
Many photographers have worked on projects where they couldn’t estimate the time or effort it would require. Try implementing the Time Plus Cost billing method in such situations. With this method, you charge clients based on your hourly rate and direct costs related to the project. Time Plus Cost invoices include two things:
- The time you spent on the photography project—planning, capturing, editing, and retouching
- Direct costs—travel, equipment rentals, and models
This method is useful if it’s hard to estimate how long a project might take, but sometimes clients will avoid such pricing, as the final costs are unknown.
Lump Sum
Once you’re experienced in specific projects, it can be easier to know how much work will be required. For example, estimating the cost and labor for an e-commerce photo session is possible once you know the details of the project.
In such cases, Lump Sum invoicing is ideal, in which you set fixed prices for specific tasks prior to the photoshoots. This way, clients can easily see how much you’ll charge before they book your services.
Service Expenses Licensing
If you want to keep your image ownership, you can offer licensing options to clients. This way, they can use your photos for a specific time, then renew them if the license expires.
Licensing lets you get higher pay for your images, especially when used on a wide scale, for example commercial photography for a national campaign.
Using Service Expenses Licensing, you charge for your time, direct costs, and licensing fee of your images. When a licensing period is over, you can resell the images with a licensing fee or sell them to another party.
What Is a Commercial Photography Contract?
A commercial photography contract is a legal document signed by the client and photographer before the shoot. This contract benefits both parties and should contain terms the clients understand.
Usually, a commercial photography contract includes:
- A project roadmap or job description
- Photography licensing rights
- Costs regarding the project
- Penalty terms in case either party violates terms
Eliminate Invoicing Stress
Don’t use just any invoice template you find on the internet—not all invoices made for photographers will suit your commercial photography needs. Try online invoicing software like Invoice Ninja to generate professional, customizable invoices in minutes.
Want to learn the secrets behind how assistant photographers should invoice clients? Check out our latest post!
