Rates

This post is about photography rates in Singapore. The rates are approximated and they might not apply to ALL photographers in each field. All figures are in Singapore dollars. Please note:
1. The information has gathered from many sources over 5-10 years. Some rates could have gone higher or lower, please feel free to update me if you have more accurate information.
2. If you would like to know more about other categories, please let me know.
3. They are listed in alphabetical order.
4. All figures are gross total.
5. This post does not condone nor condemn copyright practices by clients or photographer.

Advertising
Rates: $20,000 to >$100,000/project
a. Photographer usually works through an ad agency handling the client account. Typically, loading fees are enforced and photographer keeps copyright for images.
b. The figure looks good but a shoot usually involves a full production team and a great amount of liaison work. Typically takes 1 to 3 weeks of casting, production & logistics. Post production work on images is approximately 1 week to 4 weeks of digital retouching/imaging (DI). Depending on complexity of deliverables, digital retouching work might be outsourced to specialist 3rd party DI companies.
c. Photographer typically uses a digital medium format system.
d. Fees are usually paid 6 months after invoicing.

Architecture/Corporate/Food/Interior/Product
Rates: $1200 to $2800/day
a. Photographer is usually forced to sign over copyright of images, this practice is very prevalent, especially with government bodies. This is due to the abundance of photographers in this sector.
b. Photographer is expected to own all photography equipment, including lights, accessories, etc.
c. Photographer usually works with DSLRs.
d. Fees are usually paid 1 month after invoicing.
e. Some form of retouching work is expected.

Events/PR (concerts, events, functions, etc)
Rates: $50 to $200/hr
a. Photographer is usually forced to sign over copyright of images.
b. Photographer is expected to own camera system.
c. Photographer usually works with DSLRs.
d. Fees are usually paid 1 month after invoicing.

Magazine
Rates: <$300 to $400/image
2008-2009 : $800-1200 for full shoot (6 images or more)
a. Photographer might be able to keep copyright of image, it depends on the magazine.
b. Photographer is expected to own all photography equipment, including lights, accessories, etc.
c. Photographer usually works with DSLRs/medium format systems
d. Fees are usually paid 3 to 6 months after invoicing.
e. Some form of retouching work is expected.

Press (a rough guide)
Rates: $1400 too $5000/mth (salary) for staffer
$55 to $110/day for stringer (freelancer)
(depending on seniority, education and experience)
a. Photographer’s images are owned by newspaper or agency or company.
b. Photographer’s gear is provided by company for staffers and sometimes stringers.
c. Photographers work with DSLRs.
d. Photographers normally work around 8 hour shifts with anywhere between 1-5 jobs in that time.
e. Photographers are expected to be on call anytime in case of breaking news.
f. Photographers are expected to be able to shoot anything and everything.
e. Payment is monthly, transport is normally covered by an allowance or is claimed.

Photographer Assistant
Rates: $900 to $1500 (Salary)
a. Please note that this is not the same thing as Assistant Photographer.
b. Assistant is expected to carry equipment, be responsible for safety and care of equipment plus other duties.
c. Assistant doesn’t need to own photography equipment.

Portraits
Rates: $250 to $500/person
a. Photographer is usually forced to sign over copyright of images.
b. Photographer is expected to own all photography equipment, including lights, accessories, etc.
c. Photographer usually works with DSLRs.
d. Fees are usually paid 1 month after invoicing.
e. Some form of retouching work is expected.

Weddings (Bridal)
Rates: $1200 to >$3000/day
a. Photographer has option to keep copyright of images. Depends on how the photographer has been trained and value of the work/style.
b. Photographer is expected to own all photography equipment, including lights, accessories, etc.
c. Photographer usually works with DSLRs.
d. Deposits of up to 50% of fees prior to shoot and 50% on collection is common.
e. Some form of retouching work is expected.

Weddings (Wedding Day or Actual Day)
Rates: $300 to >$3000/day
a. Photographer has option to keep copyright of images. Depends on how the photographer has been trained and value of the work/style.
b. Photographer is expected to own all photography equipment, including lights, accessories, etc.
c. Photographer usually works with DSLRs.
d. Deposits of up to 50% of fees prior to shoot and 50% on collection is common.

Stock Market Downturn And Benchmarkers

In 2001 after 9/11, the US stock market took a dramatic downturn. The Singapore stock market followed soon after. One of the most well known advertising photography studio in Singapore slashed their fees by approx 33%, the rest of the commercial photographers had to re-adjust their day rates since clients were saying, “If this famous studio can charge me a lower rate, why are you charging me same/higher?”. The day rates for that segment of the photography market tumbled almost overnight. The rate cut was a tad too drastic.

Like it or not, professional photography fees are not arbitrary. They are linked to a complex supply/demand chain that is also closely tied to the Singapore economy. In this system, the de facto bench markers play an important (though not 100% critical) role in the price structure, especially if they decide to lower fees. In an economic downturn, the benchmarkers don’t have much of a choice since the clients will have less money to spend. But more importantly, they have a choice in how much they want to lower their fees. Benchmarkers have a responsibility to their peers, even if they are ignorant of the fact.

If the stock market in 2008 mirrors 2001 situation, the downward shift is inevitable. As for our fees, we will wait and see what benchmarkers do.