Pay Per Hour or Pay Per Image in Skincare Product Photography?

If you’re preparing for a skincare product shoot, one of the first decisions you’ll face is how to budget for the photography. And it’s not always straightforward—some photographers charge by the hour, while others use a per-image pricing model.

Both approaches are valid, but each comes with its own trade-offs.

This article is here to help you understand how these models work, what to consider before choosing one, and why we’ve opted for per-image pricing at WOWCONTLY. We’ll also explain how our process reduces risk for clients by offering test shoots and full transparency, so you always know what you’re getting and how much it will cost.

What Is Pay-Per-Hour Pricing?

When working with an hourly model, the photographer tracks all time spent on your project. That includes:

• Pre-shoot planning and concept development

• Prop sourcing and styling

• Time on set (shooting the products)

• Post-production and editing

• Communication and file delivery

This approach can be flexible, especially when the project scope is loose or still evolving. You’re essentially paying for the photographer’s time and effort, regardless of how many final photos are delivered.

But this also means:

• The total cost is hard to estimate upfront, especially if delays or changes arise

• The number of final images is uncertain, you might expect 20 and get 12, or vice versa

• You’re assuming more risk as a client, because results can vary depending on how efficiently that time is used

For large-scale campaign shoots where a creative team is involved on-site and brand direction is fluid, hourly pricing might make sense. But for most skincare brands building out content for e-commerce, product pages, or social media, it can introduce unnecessary uncertainty.

What Is Pay-Per-Image Pricing?

Pay-per-image means you agree on a fixed price for each final, retouched photo you receive. The photographer or studio handles the entire production process, and you only pay for the images you actually receive and approve.

At WOWCONTLY, for example, our per-image rates include creative direction, props, lighting, editing, and delivery. This approach is designed to be as transparent and results-focused as possible.

Typical pricing might look like:

• White background images: $22/photo

• Styled, no-model photos: $55/photo (includes props + creative direction)

• Photos with models: from $115/photo (includes casting, styling, and location if needed)

With this structure, you can budget confidently from the start. You know what you’re paying for, and you get what you paid for, no more, no less.

Comparing the Two Pricing Models

Let’s break it down side-by-side:

Why We Use Per-Image Pricing at WOWCONTLY

We work with skincare, beauty, and wellness brands across Europe and the US, and the one thing our clients appreciate most is clarity.

We’ve chosen per-image pricing because it’s simple, transparent, and performance-oriented. You know what to expect, how much it will cost, and what results you’ll receive.

But beyond pricing, we also take steps to reduce creative risk for you:

1. Test Shots Before Full Shoots

For large projects, we always suggest starting with a small batch of paid test photos. This gives you a real feel for the direction, lighting, and styling before committing to a full shoot.

2. Clear Expectations on Usage Rights

Our pricing includes full commercial usage rights for web and print, so you don’t have to worry about hidden fees or licensing confusion.

3. All-Inclusive Production

We handle planning, props, backdrops, styling, and retouching. You don’t need to manage 5 freelancers or guess how long everything will take. We deliver high-quality, brand-aligned visuals, on time, and on budget.

How to Decide Which Pricing Model Is Right for Your Skincare Brand?

Still unsure? Here are a few questions to help guide your decision:

• Do you need a fixed number of finished photos for your website or e-commerce store? → Per image

• Are you planning a one-time campaign with flexible creative direction? → Hourly may work

• Are you working with a remote studio? → Per image makes approvals and planning easier

• Do you need multiple shots over time to build a skincare content library? → Per image scales better

• Do you want to test a few visuals before investing fully? → Ask for test shots

The key is choosing a model that matches your goals and how you like to work.

FAQ: Pricing in Skincare Product Photography

1. Is pay-per-image more expensive than hourly rates?

Not necessarily. With per-image pricing, you avoid paying for time lost to trial-and-error, setup, or retouching rounds. You’re only billed for results, which can actually reduce your total cost, especially for brands that need consistent output.

2. What if I only need a few photos?

That’s one of the benefits of per-image pricing. Whether you need 6 or 60 photos, your budget remains clear. At WOWCONTLY, we have no minimum order requirement, which gives you full flexibility.

3. Do per-image prices include everything?

At WOWCONTLY, yes. All prices include planning, lighting, props, styling, and standard retouching. The only extras might be premium location rentals or custom props, but those are always discussed in advance.

4. Can I request revisions with per-image pricing?

Absolutely. We include 1–2 revisions per photo. Our process involves creative alignment before the shoot to reduce the need for changes later.

5. Is it possible to mix pricing models?

Some studios may offer hybrid options (e.g., hourly for pre-production and per-image for final delivery). At WOWCONTLY, we’ve found that clear per-image pricing tends to work better for our clients, especially those managing tight timelines and budgets.

6. What about monthly content needs?

Per-image pricing also works well for brands that need fresh content every month. It makes it easy to budget quarterly or build out an ongoing skincare content library without surprises.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re launching a new serum, refreshing your product page, or building an Instagram-ready content library, high-quality product photos are an investment in your brand’s growth.

Both pay-per-hour and pay-per-image models have their place, but for most skincare and wellness brands, per-image pricing offers the transparency, predictability, and outcome-focus needed to scale visual content with confidence.

If you’re unsure which model works best for your upcoming shoot, we’re happy to chat.

About WOWCONTLY: Skincare and Beauty Photography Studio

WOWCONTLY is a boutique photography studio based in the EU, specializing in skincare, beauty, and wellness product photography. We’re a small, hands-on team of two, Alina, our lead photographer with a strong eye for detail and modern aesthetics, and Alex, a digital marketer with over 13 years of experience helping e-commerce brands grow.

Together, we combine creativity with strategy to create visuals that are not only beautiful, but built to sell.

We work with DTC skincare brands across Europe and the US, helping them build trust and convert more customers through clean, high-quality visuals tailored for e-commerce, social, and paid campaigns.

Why brands choose to work with WOWCONTLY:

Specialized in skincare and beauty products: We understand the nuances of skincare textures, packaging materials, and industry expectations. From serums to masks to body oils, we’ve shot them all.

Transparent pricing with no hidden fees: Our per-image pricing model includes everything: props, planning, styling, and post-production, so you know exactly what to expect from the start.

Creative direction included: We don’t just “take pictures.” We study your brand, research your competitors, and propose creative concepts that align with your tone and audience.

Flexible scale and timelines: Whether you need 6 photos or 60, we adapt. We work with both new and established brands on one-time projects or ongoing monthly packages.

Fast and reliable delivery: We respect deadlines. Our typical turnaround is 4–6 working days for most projects, and we offer express delivery options when needed.

One point of contact from start to finish: You’ll communicate directly with the people doing the work, no project managers or unnecessary layers. We keep things simple and personal.

Remote-friendly workflow: You ship your products to our Riga-based studio, and we take care of the rest: from planning and shooting to editing and final delivery via cloud.

If you’re looking for a reliable creative partner to bring your skincare or beauty products to life with clean, modern visuals, you’re in the right place.