Example photography invoice
Here is what a typical photography invoice built with this template looks like. It bills 5 line items, from “Session fee – 2-hour portrait shoot” to “8x10 fine-art prints”, for a subtotal of $856.80 before tax. Swap in your own rates; the amounts recalculate automatically.
| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session fee – 2-hour portrait shoot | 1 | $350.00 | $350.00 |
| Edited high-resolution images | 25 | $15.00 | $375.00 |
| Travel (miles) | 40 | $0.67 | $26.80 |
| Online gallery hosting (1 year) | 1 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| 8x10 fine-art prints | 3 | $35.00 | $105.00 |
| Subtotal | $856.80 | ||
Suggested note for the client: Retainer of $150 received and applied above. Digital images licensed for personal use. Balance due before gallery delivery.
What to include on a photography invoice
- Shoot date, location and type of session
- Session or creative fee
- Number of edited images delivered
- Prints, albums or products ordered
- Travel and location fees
- Licensing terms – personal vs. commercial use
Photography invoicing tips
- Collect a non-refundable retainer to book the date.
- Separate the creative fee from image licensing for commercial clients – it lets you charge appropriately for advertising use.
- Deliver the full gallery after final payment; send a preview of a few images to build excitement.
- Bill mileage at the IRS standard rate or a flat travel fee for locations outside your area.
How to use this template
- Replace the sample line items with the work you actually did. The example items show typical photography charges and rates – adjust them to your prices.
- Add your business and client details, set the invoice number and due date, and add tax if you are registered to collect it.
- Download the PDF and email it to your client. Your edits are saved in this browser, so next month you only need to change the dates and items.
Need to quote the job first? Use the quote generator. Getting paid late? Work out interest with the late fee calculator, or browse all 50 invoice templates.
Frequently asked questions
What is a photography retainer?
A retainer is an upfront, usually non-refundable payment that reserves the date. Show it on the invoice as a payment already received.
How do I invoice image licensing?
Add a line describing the usage (e.g., "Commercial license – web and social, 2 years") and price it separately from the shoot fee.
Is this photography invoice template free?
Yes. Edit every field, download as many PDFs as you like and print them. There is no sign-up, no watermark and nothing is uploaded to our servers.
How do I save the invoice as a PDF?
Click "Download PDF / Print" and choose "Save as PDF" as the destination in the print dialog. It works on desktop and mobile browsers.