Why is my effective hourly rate so low?

Because every paid shoot generates hours of unpaid work: editing, culling, travel, client communication, delivery, invoicing, bookkeeping. An 8-hour wedding at £1,500 sounds like £187/hr, but with 20 hours of editing and 4 hours of admin, it drops to £47/hr. Always calculate your true hourly rate.

What hourly rate should a photographer target?

In the UK, a professional photographer should target at least £30-50/hr effective rate to cover costs and earn a reasonable living. Established photographers earn £50-100+/hr. Below £25/hr, you may earn less than employed alternatives after business costs. Your rate should increase with experience.

Should I include expenses in the calculation?

Yes. Job-specific expenses (travel fuel, parking, assistant fees, print costs, prop rental) directly reduce your profit. Subtracting expenses gives your net hourly rate — the true measure of what you earn per hour of work invested.

How can I improve my hourly rate?

Increase prices (the most direct method). Reduce editing time through better culling and batch presets. Reduce admin with automated workflows (invoicing, delivery). Shoot more efficiently (fewer outtakes = less culling). Outsource editing. Offer fewer images per package.

PhotoCalcs

Hourly Rate Calculator — Effective Hourly Rate

Find your effective hourly rate including editing, travel and admin time.

Job Charge

Shoot Hours

Editing Hours

Travel Hours

Admin Hours

Job Expenses

Travel, assistant, prints, etc.

How We Calculate This

Total Hours

Total = shoot + editing + travel + admin hours

Hourly Rates

Gross hourly = job charge / total hours

Net hourly = (job charge - expenses) / total hours

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates based on standard optical and photographic formulas. Results may vary with specific equipment.