What a Strong Photography Proposal Covers
Photographers often undersell because their proposals are vague on usage rights and delivery. Here are the 8 sections every photography proposal needs:
Type of shoot (product, event, portrait, real estate, food), location(s), number of looks/setups, estimated duration, number of final edited images delivered.
This is the most important section photographers miss. Specify: web-only vs print, personal vs commercial, duration (1 year, perpetual), geographic scope (India only vs worldwide), and exclusive vs non-exclusive licence.
Number of final edited images (e.g., 30 high-resolution JPEGs), resolution (minimum 3000px on long edge), colour space (sRGB for web, Adobe RGB for print), delivery method (WeTransfer/Google Drive), RAW file delivery (yes/no and price if yes).
Break out: day rate or per-image rate, travel and transport (per km or flat fee), equipment hire, styling/props (if applicable), post-processing time. Require 50% advance before shoot day.
How many images from the shoot will you present for selection (e.g., 80 proofs), how many final edits are included, what counts as a revision vs a new edit, and extra edit cost.
This protects your income when clients cancel last minute:
- Cancellation 7+ days before: advance refunded minus 10% admin fee
- Cancellation 2–6 days before: 50% of total fee retained
- Cancellation less than 48 hours: full fee charged (advance non-refundable)
- Rescheduling: one free reschedule; subsequent rescheduling charged at 15% of shoot fee
Retain the right to display final images in your portfolio, website, and social media (unless client requests NDA). If images are for a brand launch with embargo, note the date after which you can publish.
Photography services (SAC 998392) attract 18% GST. Include CGST+SGST (intra-state) or IGST (inter-state). Note TDS deduction clause if the client is a company.
Photography Pricing Reference — India 2026
| Type | Entry Level | Mid-Tier | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product photography (per image) | ₹300–600 | ₹700–1,500 | ₹2,000–5,000 |
| Event photography (per day) | ₹8,000–15,000 | ₹18,000–35,000 | ₹40,000–80,000 |
| Portrait / headshot (per session) | ₹3,000–6,000 | ₹8,000–18,000 | ₹25,000–50,000 |
| Real estate (per property) | ₹5,000–10,000 | ₹12,000–25,000 | ₹30,000–60,000 |
| Food photography (per day) | ₹10,000–18,000 | ₹20,000–40,000 | ₹50,000–1,00,000 |
| Fashion lookbook (per day) | ₹15,000–25,000 | ₹30,000–60,000 | ₹80,000–2,00,000 |
Rates exclude GST. Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru rates typically 30–50% higher than Tier-2 cities.
Image Licensing Price Guide
| Usage | Multiplier on base rate |
|---|---|
| Personal / internal use only | 1× (base rate) |
| Social media (1 year) | 1.2× |
| Website use (perpetual) | 1.5× |
| Print advertising (regional, 1 year) | 2–3× |
| Print advertising (national, 1 year) | 4–6× |
| TV / broadcast (national) | 8–15× |
| Exclusive licence (no resale, perpetual) | 5–10× |
Common Photography Proposal Mistakes
- No licensing clause: "All rights reserved" by default in India under Copyright Act 1957 — but clients assume they own the images. Be explicit.
- Vague deliverable count: "Will provide photos from the shoot" is not a deliverable. "30 high-resolution edited JPEGs" is.
- No weather/force majeure clause: Outdoor shoots depend on weather. Add: "Outdoor shoots may be rescheduled once free of charge if weather conditions are unsuitable."
- No advance for event shoots: An uncancelled event with no advance deposit is a common way photographers lose a full day's income.
- No turnaround time: Without a stated turnaround, clients will ask for images the same evening. State it: "Final edited images delivered within 7–10 business days."
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