HOW MUCH should I budget for images?

Know Your Costs

Before you budget for visuals here's a gauge of professional costs.  COURSE these numbers vary.  However industry insiders have been sharing embarrassing project quotes or horrific asks (ie a company on LinkedIn sent a quote request for $35 an hour - catalog photography) and I felt it's time to educate newbies to the field. *This is my experience so far in my work and assisting others.  Again numbers vary but consider this a low to medium cost for a professional, commercial team. 

Day rates for a Creative Director can be $2000+
Day rates for a Photographer can be $1800 - $2500+
Producer $500+
Digital tech $600-$800
Plus equipment $350+
Lunch and Breakfast plus snacks $300+
Models $1200-$2000+ for day rates plus 20% agency
Stylist $900 - $1200+
Hair $700+
Make-up $700+
Plus the assistants (for any of the above professionals) are $350-$450

MY ADVICE
Don't waste that series A or B money by loosing marketing share. If you're spending loads of cash on an amazing product or service make sure you show it off properly.  People need to know you're out there, that you are quality and can be trusted with their precious time and money.  I've seen it time and again where companies cut corners, don't invest in visuals and the numbers show poor results. 

Be prepared to share your hard work or progress as much as possible. From blogs to Instagram, SHOW PROGRESS. You're customer or client lives in the now and expects to see your companies ideas made real regularly.  People buy lifestyles, not product anymore.  Wow them.

Below are a few companies I feel understand the Instagram game.  They truly understand how to inspire their customers and in return they are SO LOVED!

Taylor Stitch

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Anoo World

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