Photographer’s Hourly Rate Calculator
(aka Are You Making Any Money, Honey?)
Most photographers drastically underestimate the time they spend on each client and overestimate their actual earnings. This calculator reveals your TRUE hourly rate after accounting for all your time, expenses, and taxes.
See How It Works: Real Examples
Before you calculate your own numbers, look at these two scenarios. One might look uncomfortably familiar…
Session fee: $275 (includes all digitals)
Product sales: $0
Images edited: 50
Total time: 9.3 hours
Direct expenses: $70 (gas + childcare)
Overhead allocation: $250
The Math:
Total Revenue: $275
Direct Expenses: -$70
Overhead: -$250
Taxes (30%): -$0 (you’re losing money!)
Net: -$45
Hourly Rate: -$4.84/hour
You’re literally paying to work. This isn’t a business—it’s a charity you’re funding with your own money.
Session fee: $225
Product sales: $1,250
Images edited: 33
Total time: 11.5 hours
Direct expenses: $285 (lab, gifts, gas, childcare, ordering)
Overhead allocation: $250
The Math:
Total Revenue: $1,475
Direct Expenses: -$285
Overhead: -$250
Taxes (30%): -$282
Net Profit: $658
Hourly Rate: $57.22/hour
Better—but still only $57/hour for skilled professional work. And that’s WITH $1,250 in product sales.
Now calculate your numbers below
The truth might hurt – but numbers don’t lie and the only way to fix it is by taking a good long look at what your numbers are telling you.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Your TRUE hourly rate is:
per hour