It could be casting headshots, editorial photos for a magazine spread, or fitness images for your social media platforms. You'll need insight into planning a photo shoot and searching for stand-out photogenic settings.
Top photographers will tell you that the secret to photography is choosing the best photo shoot locations and making the most of the surroundings! The world has you covered; every city has hidden gems or wide open spaces surrounded by nature, beautiful architecture, or lush botanical gardens.
From the sandy shores of Laguna Beach to crowds of music lovers attending sold-out shows headlined by music legends, every situation is a perfect photo op, and all it takes is getting strategically positioned to snap the money shots.
The Giggster app makes your location scouting hassle-free, helping you find photo shoot locations across the top cities; browse our listings and discover the perfect location for your next photo session.
When seeking something like a Abandoned Vintage Apartment (1970s), you can find photo shoot locations suited for your project. Giggster can connect you with a fitting space to snap gorgeous photos, whether you want a luxurious setting, a skate park, or a loft filled with natural light.
Exceptional Variety & Quality: Explore Giggster's 10000 photography spaces if you are searching for anything from a studio to a stately house. Options with adjustable lights and backdrops enable you to create art in image form!
Hassle-Free Booking: Every listing on the Giggster app provides all the information you should know about a photo shoot location, complete with property images. You can also contact property managers on our site to arrange location visits.
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: You won't have to pay any charges if you cancel your booking at least 24 hours in advance. Giggster understands if you need to modify the day or time of your reservation.
Platform Protections: You can lease properties like a Abandoned Vintage Apartment (1970s) with Giggster's add-on damage protection plan. Knowing you have optional coverage in case of permit delays or other challenges gives you peace of mind.
The perfect location is subjective, depending on the results you want to get out of it and your theme. Giggster makes it easier to find your creative spot, whether you are taking photos to update your website or want to host an industry event for photographers.
Photo Studios – Portraits. With professional lighting and props, photo studios are the perfect backdrops for photo shoots. They provide professional photographers on staff, various photography equipment, and adjustable backdrops. A studio is the best setting to capture portraits, headshots, professional business photos, and everything else.
Parks – Event Photo Shoots. Most events unfold in beautiful settings with lots of outdoor space where you can snap the most stunning photos. Parks come in all shapes and sizes. Some have mountain or ocean views, and others are attached to sprawling estates.
Mansions – Engagement Photos. A house is the most intimate photography setting; it's possibly the best indoor/ outdoor shooting location for private events and couples' engagement shoots. As dual-use venues, you can book an overnight stay.
Art Galleries – Fashion Editorials. Galleries make beautiful backgrounds for artistic endeavors such as fashion photos. Some have paintings on their white walls, while others have empty areas that you could transform into a custom set.
Restaurants – Food Photography. You can book a restaurant for a celebratory dinner or any other event, but it's also a creative backdrop. Additionally, it makes the ideal shoot location for a food advertisement or magazine editorial.
Producing the needed photos isn't as straightforward as renting a beautiful space; the backdrop should look the part, have the necessary equipment, and have on-staff photographers. Giggster can connect you with a studio, loft, or park; these pointers should help you identify the best location.
What type of pictures can you photograph in the space?
Photography locations, whether buildings, studios, or outdoor settings, vary in the results you'll get from each backdrop. A studio favors headshot photography, while a warehouse can produce the best editorials. An outdoor area will produce compelling documentary-style photos and action or sports images.
What equipment does the studio have?
A studio gives you access to quality camera equipment and other gear. As an indoor room, you'll have more control over the lighting conditions, making the process more efficient. A studio will remain operational year-round, staying functional despite changing weather conditions.
Do you need to bring anything with you?
Again, each location varies from the next; a studio might have all the necessary equipment, but you might need to bring thematic props and costumes. Choosing nature as your backdrop might not need much dressing up, but you'll need the right photography equipment and other supplies.
Achieving your creative vision in a studio or outdoor setting takes work. Giggster lists photography studios and various backdrops where you can get creative without limitations. Before picking a camera and working on your next visual masterpiece, consider these tips to improve the session.
Transform the Location into a Custom Set – The first step in producing quality images is transforming any backdrop into a custom set. Divide the area to encourage smooth workflow, or use different spaces, if it's a house or building with multiple rooms, as independent sets. Contact the management to discuss the prep time you'll need and other details ahead of your shooting date.
Use Props – From furniture and flowers to art pieces, there are many items you can add to the set to capture your specific theme. It doesn't have to be extravagant; use familiar everyday items to make the backdrop fun or add interest to your images.
Work with Local Businesses – You'll need a team for a day-long session in a single location or a multi-day shoot across several venues. From photographers to food vendors, you'll gain from their talents and local knowledge. Also, serve your team food and refreshments regardless of the duration of the shoot.
Have a Backup Plan – Even a city with year-round sunny weather has rainy days, and unexpected issues can occur before or during your shoot. Cover your bases by booking an outdoor location near a building or with access to an indoor area.
Photography may be costly; you can produce high-quality images while staying within your budget using these tips:
Though it's probably the most expensive, a downtown location in the middle of everything is one of the most sought-after shoot locations. Look into surrounding communities and pick a park, backyard, or other venue to cut expenses. Additionally, you can negotiate a lower price if you reserve a backdrop during off-peak times, especially in the winter when most cities are less active.
Better lighting matters more than having a studio equipped with cutting-edge equipment and accessories. You can choose between a well-lit interior or an outdoor location with plenty of natural light.
Renting photography equipment is the most economical way to take high-quality images without going over budget—even professional photographers use this approach from time to time. You can lease a studio with everything you need or hire a photographer who provides the required equipment as part of a package.
Now that you understand your options and the types of settings that work well for different photography projects, explore Giggster's listings in several cities and countries to find your perfect spot! The Giggster app makes the entire process easy!
In a world where 85% of American adults own a smartphone, photography has become an accessible hobby for virtually anyone. Yet professional photographers are still in high demand. The number of professional photographers in the next 10 years is expected to grow by 9%—nearly double the average projected growth rate across all industries—according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
There are an estimated 38,420 working photographers in the United States. The career path offers myriad focus areas, such as wedding and event photography, family portraiture, headshots, photojournalism, advertising, fashion, and magazine shoots. A rapidly growing sector is stock photography; other photography jobs may focus on architecture, automobiles, landscapes, or science.
Giggster analyzed May 2021 data from the BLS to determine the hourly and annual wages of photographers across 20 of the most populated metropolitan areas. Metros are listed alphabetically and include the main city along with surrounding towns and suburbs.
The BLS categorizes photographers as photographing landscapes, merchandise, people, or other subjects. These workers may use lighting when shooting a subject to enhance certain features and employ editing software when producing prints or images. The occupational field includes science photographers, photojournalists, and commercial and industrial photographers; it excludes similar professions such as camera operators, video and film, and television.
Averages and medians were calculated to broaden the scope of annual and hourly wages. An average is calculated by adding all the salaries and dividing by the number of salaries used. The median is calculated by the middle point, where half the salaries are higher, and half are lower.
The average hourly wage for photographers in the U.S. is $23.18, with an average annual wage of $48,210. When calculating by median, the hourly wage for photographers is $18.73, with an annual wage of $38,950.
Keep reading to see how much photographers are paid in 20 major metros.
- Photographers in metro: 1,100
- Average annual wage: $63,580
- Median annual wage: $61,000
- Average hourly wage: $30.57
- Median hourly wage: $29.33
- Photographers in metro: 530
- Average annual wage: $55,270
- Median annual wage: $50,340
- Average hourly wage: $26.57
- Median hourly wage: $24.20
- Photographers in metro: 1,390
- Average annual wage: $53,340
- Median annual wage: $46,910
- Average hourly wage: $25.64
- Median hourly wage: $22.55
- Photographers in metro: 340
- Average annual wage: $41,790
- Median annual wage: $36,510
- Average hourly wage: $20.09
- Median hourly wage: $17.56
- Photographers in metro: 970
- Average annual wage: $44,440
- Median annual wage: $36,100
- Average hourly wage: $21.37
- Median hourly wage: $17.36
- Photographers in metro: 520
- Average annual wage: $53,180
- Median annual wage: $45,340
- Average hourly wage: $25.57
- Median hourly wage: $21.80
- Photographers in metro: 380
- Average annual wage: $52,390
- Median annual wage: $38,590
- Average hourly wage: $25.19
- Median hourly wage: $18.55
- Photographers in metro: 780
- Average annual wage: $39,890
- Median annual wage: $33,750
- Average hourly wage: $19.18
- Median hourly wage: $16.23
- Photographers in metro: 400
- Average annual wage: $33,500
- Median annual wage: $30,220
- Average hourly wage: $16.11
- Median hourly wage: $14.53
- Photographers in metro: estimate not available
- Average annual wage: $51,340
- Median annual wage: $46,550
- Average hourly wage: $24.68
- Median hourly wage: $22.38
- Photographers in metro: 1,000
- Average annual wage: $53,090
- Median annual wage: $48,860
- Average hourly wage: $25.52
- Median hourly wage: $23.49
- Photographers in metro: 630
- Average annual wage: $49,380
- Median annual wage: $48,320
- Average hourly wage: $23.74
- Median hourly wage: $23.23
- Photographers in metro: 3,260
- Average annual wage: $62,730
- Median annual wage: $55,770
- Average hourly wage: $30.16
- Median hourly wage: $26.81
- Photographers in metro: 560
- Average annual wage: $47,050
- Median annual wage: $43,000
- Average hourly wage: $22.62
- Median hourly wage: $20.67
- Photographers in metro: 690
- Average annual wage: $44,590
- Median annual wage: $32,920
- Average hourly wage: $21.44
- Median hourly wage: $15.83
- Photographers in metro: 770
- Average annual wage: $66,140
- Median annual wage: $59,100
- Average hourly wage: $31.80
- Median hourly wage: $28.41
- Photographers in metro: 630
- Average annual wage: $65,810
- Median annual wage: $74,880
- Average hourly wage: $31.64
- Median hourly wage: $36.00
- Photographers in metro: 300
- Average annual wage: $41,270
- Median annual wage: $36,640
- Average hourly wage: $19.84
- Median hourly wage: $17.61
- Photographers in metro: 480
- Average annual wage: $38,020
- Median annual wage: $29,780
- Average hourly wage: $18.28
- Median hourly wage: $14.32
- Photographers in metro: 650
- Average annual wage: $70,440
- Median annual wage: $60,720
- Average hourly wage: $33.86
- Median hourly wage: $29.19