Whether it’s prom, graduation, school dances, or just hanging out with friends, events are a big part of being a student. And of course, you’ll want amazing photos to capture those memories. But hiring a professional event photographer can be extremely expensive. The good news is that there are more affordable options if you know where to look. Read on for the lowdown on student-friendly event photography pricing.

Cost of Hiring a Professional

According to a survey by Thumbtack, the average cost of hiring an event photographer for two hours of coverage is $326. For a full day of event photography services typically range from $1,000 to $3,000 or more! These rates are too high for a student’s budget.

The main factors that drive up costs are the experience level of the photographers, the amount of editing required, travel fees, and additional services like albums or prints. Many established professionals also charge minimum fees regardless of working hours. So hiring that fancy event photographer may not be possible unless your parents are paying the bills.

Affordable Option of Event Photography Pricing

However, don’t worry – there are still several ways for budget-conscious students to get great event photos without spending a lot of money:

Student Discounts

As a student, your key to getting low event photography pricing is to simply ask about the student discount! Many photographers are eager to work with students at reduced rates to build their portfolio with a variety of clients.

“I always offer students a discount of between 10-25% off my standard price,” confirms Jessica Rhodes, a Los Angeles-based event photographer. “Not only does it make my services more accessible, but I get the opportunity to grow my portfolio of shooting really fun, unique events.

Student/Amateur Photographer

Reach out to student photography clubs at your school or in your area. Many student shooters are looking to build their portfolio and will happily take programs at reasonable rates of $50-200. Just be sure to look at samples of their previous work first.

According to ZipRecruiter data, freelance event photographers charge an average of $21/hour and hourly rates range from $14-$35. So the total cost of a 4 hour event covered by a freelancer will probably be between $100-300.

Group Funding

Create a crowdfunding campaign to collectively hire a photographer and split the cost among your entire friend group. Pitching in at $20-50 each allows you to book someone with a higher hourly rate for better quality images.

A survey from Slicktext found that 33% of students have contributed to a crowdfunding campaign before, so this is a viable option for your cohort.

APP/GIG Worker

   New apps and rental platforms like Snapper, Shoot My Travel, and Kultur make it easy to book freelance photographers for short-term gigs at affordable prices, often $50/hour or less. Although these are not specifically targeted towards students, they can be great resources.

Data from GigHunters shows that 82% of gig worker photographers make less than $40/hour, making them very friendly to student budgets.

DIY Photography

Of course, the most economical option is to take the photos yourself! Enlist a few phone camera-savvy friends to capture the event from different angles. Just make sure you’re actually in some of the photos, too.

You can edit and collage your shots together using free apps like PicMonkey, Canva, Adobe Photoshop Mobile, or PremoPhoto. Review site Slant ranks PicMonkey as the best free photo editing software.

No matter which route you go, be sure to negotiate pricing in advance so there are no surprise fees. Also discuss factors such as the number of images edited, delivery timelines, and copyright on the photos. So don’t miss out on preserving your most epic memories – get shooting and start inquiring about student rates today! When you look back years from now, aren’t you going to want stunning photos to reminisce over?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should an event photographer charge?
Rates vary depending on experience and location but average $100-$300 per hour.

What should be included in an event photography package?
Packages may include pre-event consultation, coverage hours, edited images and a photo album.

How many photos should an event photographer deliver?
Expect approximately 50-100 edited photos per hour of coverage.

How much does event photography cost in Miami?
In Miami, event photography costs range from $200 to $500 per hour, depending on the expertise of the photographer and what is included in the package.

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