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How to hire a Freelance Photographer

Freelance photographer hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring freelance photographers in the United States:

  • The median cost to hire a freelance photographer is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • HR departments typically allocate 15% of their budget towards recruitment efforts.
  • Small businesses spend $1,105 per freelance photographer on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • It takes approximately 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • There are a total of 9,203 freelance photographers in the US, and there are currently 1,766 job openings in this field.
  • San Francisco, CA, has the highest demand for freelance photographers, with 2 job openings.

How to hire a freelance photographer, step by step

To hire a freelance photographer, you should create an ideal candidate profile, determine a budget, and post and promote your job. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a freelance photographer:

Here's a step-by-step freelance photographer hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a freelance photographer job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new freelance photographer
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you post your freelance photographer job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a freelance photographer for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

    Determine Employee vs Contractor Status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    A freelance photographer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, freelance photographers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

    This list shows salaries for various types of freelance photographers.

    Type Of Freelance PhotographerDescriptionHourly Rate
    Freelance PhotographerPhotographers use their technical expertise, creativity, and composition skills to produce and preserve images that tell a story or record an event.$13-29
    Audio Visual TechnicianAn audiovisual technician is responsible for operating and monitoring audiovisual equipment and systems used for various events such as live public events and business conferences. Audiovisual technicians' duties include repairing technical issues, running diagnostic tests before actual use, identifying and resolving malfunctions immediately, assembling system components, installing and arranging equipment on their proper positions, instructing clients on how to operate the systems, and ensuring the safety of the equipment... Show More$13-31
    Editor & ProducerA Production Editor is responsible for the process of launching a publication. They format, edit, and proofread book manuscripts.$15-37
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common Skills:
    • Adobe Photoshop
    • Aperture
    • Adobe Lightroom
    • Photo Shoots
    • Portfolio
    • Music Videos
    • DSLR
    • Lifestyle
    • Product Photography
    • Graphic Design
    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • Edit Photos
    • Real Estate
    Check All Skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage HDR and PANO shots for greater Pittsburgh area.
    • Help manage a few bands Facebook pages and websites, including sharing and promoting shows and upcoming relate events.
    • Manage creative projects from concept to completion; including signs, posters, specialize logos and video documentaries for clients.
    • Provide commercial photography to assist company advertising and promotion on social platforms, including Instagram and Facebook.
    • Experience with Nikon D90 and relate equipment.
    • Experience with Nikon D50 D2100 SLR digital cameras
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your freelance photographer job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A freelance photographer salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, freelance photographers' average salary in florida is 60% less than in new york.
    • Seniority. Entry-level freelance photographers earn 52% less than senior-level freelance photographers.
    • Certifications. A freelance photographer with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a freelance photographer's salary.

    Average freelance photographer salary

    $42,949yearly

    $20.65 hourly rate

    Entry-level freelance photographer salary
    $29,000 yearly salary
    Updated February 16, 2025
  4. Writing a Freelance Photographer Job Description

    A good freelance photographer job description should include a few things:

    • Summary of the role
    • List of responsibilities
    • Required skills and experience

    Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a freelance photographer job description:

    Freelance Photographer job description example

    • Scheduling photo sessions with our clients.
    • Photographing apartment complexes and amenities, showcasing communities in their best light.
    • Scanning apartment community amenities, and units using an approved 3D/360 camera
    • Upload unedited photographs to our photo team in a timely manner, we’ll take care of the rest.

    Requirements

    • Minimum of 2 years of professional photographic experience.
    • Must own professional equipment including but not limited to:
      • HDSLR/DSLR camera, 18 MP+
      • sharp wide-angle lens (10 mm on a cropped sensor, 16 mm on a full-frame)
      • strong tripod.
      • Acceptable camera brands; must be professional-level camera bodies with quality lens(es): Cannon, Nikon, Sony, Olympus
    • Proficiency in capturing HDR images through bracketing, and ability to properly white balance images.
    • Proficiency with capturing Matterport tours
    • Detail-oriented and organized. Will be responsible for scheduling appointments with clients.
    • Strong communications skills
    • Live within driving distance of the job posting location.

    Benefits

    • Assignments are close to home.
    • Freelance, flexibility in scheduling your own assignments.
    • No sales-generation work.

    How to get involved

    • Send us your resume and a cover letter, explaining why you’d be a good fit for RealPage, Inc.
    • REQUIRED Showcase your skills via an online portfolio or website. If you do not have one, please upload HDR imagery (PDF of multiple images)
    • If you don't have a portfolio, please send a supplemental Mini-Shoot that includes 10-15 unedited bracketed interior and exterior photographs of properties

    NOTE: If you are using a Gmail account, please add Realpage.com to your safe sender list!

    ***Please indicate an hourly rate as the position is Contracted.

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  5. Post your job

    To find the right freelance photographer for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with freelance photographers they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit freelance photographers who meet your education requirements.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your freelance photographer job on Zippia to find and recruit freelance photographer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Recruiting freelance photographers requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

    Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new freelance photographer

    Once you've decided on a perfect freelance photographer candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

    It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    To prepare for the new freelance photographer first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a freelance photographer?

Recruiting freelance photographers involves both the one-time costs of hiring and the ongoing costs of adding a new employee to your team. Your spending during the hiring process will mostly be on things like promoting the job on job boards, reviewing and interviewing candidates, and onboarding the new hire. Ongoing costs will obviously involve the employee's salary, but also may include things like benefits.

You can expect to pay around $42,949 per year for a freelance photographer, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for freelance photographers in the US typically range between $13 and $29 an hour.

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