How much can a photographer expect to make working for a professional portrait photo studio?

Question

I'd like to get a job at a professional portrait photo studio in Southern California, how much can I expect to make an hour?

Answer 1

I suspect that money isn't made by the hour, but as a percentage of the intake.

If the place is busy all the time you make a killing, if slow then obviously less money.

However if the studio is in the mall then you might make a hourly wage or be salaried.

I have wanted to do it too, but the market is saturated and I would have to own the place.  I don't have the huge pile of money it takes to put it all together.

I have seen some websites that do weddings, they come out and shoot it, put together all sorts of products and they charge anywhere from 600.00- 5500.00 per wedding.

I imagine if a family came into a studio for portraits it would be around 100 to 200 bucks for a simple package. Of course you don't make all that money as you can imagine.

I know I didn't answer your question, but I don't really think the way your asking

Answer 2

The money is in the ownership of a successful studio.  Unless you own the studio, you will probably make an hourly rate.  If the studio is booming, then your pay will be high and vice versa.  I work at a studio in Michigan - we have two photographers, one being the owner.  Our other photographer is certified, and though I don't know his pay I would take a stab in the dark and say he makes about 40,000/year.  He is currently working on his "Masters" and will get a raise as he did when he became certified.  

So really I don't have a straight up answer for you but I can say if you are Certified and Master you could demand a higher pay because not all photographers hold those titles.

Answer 3

$7/hr