Let’s Do the Math

Art is not just a price tag—it’s what’s being served, from concept to creation.

Let’s forget for a moment about expensive education, years of experience, creative vision, professional equipment, and the whole business side of photography—like marketing and website maintenance. Let’s skip the poetic stuff about storytelling and light. We won’t even count pre-production time, scouting, client communication, or travel.

Let’s just do some simple math.

For reference, the minimum wage in New Jersey was $15.13 per hour in 2024. So, how much would you pay someone at minimum wage to do the same amount of work?

Let’s see.

Portrait Session:

• Shooting: 2–3 hours

• Postproduction: 30–40 hours (editing 50–70+ images by hand)

• Total hours: 32–43 hours

• If paid at minimum wage: $484–$651

That’s what you’d pay a dishwasher for the same hours. Except instead of spotless plates, you’re getting carefully edited portraits that capture your personality and story. Honestly, sounds like a pretty good deal, right?

Event Photography (4–5 hours):

• Shooting: 4–5 hours

• Postproduction: 60–80 hours (hand-edited full gallery)

• Total hours: 64–85 hours

• If paid at minimum wage: $968–$1,287

Imagine asking someone to work 80 hours for you—cleaning, organizing, perfecting details—for less than $1,300. Except, in this case, the result isn’t a spotless kitchen but a complete story of your event, ready for you to relive anytime. And remember, we’re not even counting travel time, meetings, or preparation.

Headshot Session:

• Shooting: 1–1.5 hours

• Postproduction: 20–30 hours

• Total hours: 21–31.5 hours

• If paid at minimum wage: $318–$477

A headshot might look simple. But making you look natural, confident, and professional in one perfect shot takes time. Behind that single image are hours of careful adjustments, lighting corrections, and retouching—without losing the real you. It’s like making a five-star dish instead of just serving leftovers.

And here’s the fun part: these are just average numbers. The actual time depends on so many factors—lighting conditions, the model’s skin, hair, clothing, and endless tiny details that keep adding to the editing time. Because in the end, perfection isn’t fast—it’s thoughtful.

So next time you see a photographer’s rates, remember: you’re not just paying for a few hours with a camera. You’re investing in days of detailed, thoughtful work, shaped by years of experience, costly education, and countless hours behind the scenes.

Looking at these numbers now… maybe I should consider dishwashing? It sounds easier. No late-night edits, no endless tweaks, no chasing the perfect light.

But would the dishes tell your story?

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