Photographer in Melbourne

In most countries the photographer automatically owns copyright as the creator, and you receive a licence to use the images. Personal-use licences are standard for family shoots; printing rights and social sharing are usually included. If you need commercial use (marketing, resale), that's a separate licence — agree it upfront, it changes the price.

Headshot pricing is usually per person or per finished image rather than per hour: studio sessions delivering 1-5 retouched images sit well below a full portrait session's price, while premium personal-branding shoots cost several times more. For teams, per-person rates drop sharply from about 5 people up — ask for a group rate.

Mini sessions are 15-30 minutes at a location the photographer chose, often back-to-back with other clients, delivering 5-15 images at roughly half the price or less. Full sessions are 60-120 minutes, at your choice of location, with more posing variety and 20-50+ images. Minis suit updated family photos; milestones deserve a full session.

Hobbyists and newcomers charge roughly a third of what established professionals do. Expect a 1-hour portrait or family session to cost about one to three hours of a skilled trade's labour in your country, with editing time built into the price. Event and commercial work costs more per hour because of prep, gear and licensing.

Rates run AUD $150-$450 per hour, with Sydney and Melbourne at the top and beginners near $100. A one-hour portrait or family session commonly totals $300-$700; minis run $150-$300. Full-day wedding coverage clusters at $2,500-$5,500.

Commercial photography on council foreshores, botanic gardens and national parks frequently requires a permit — fees vary by council and some enforce actively. Family portrait sessions by a paid photographer usually count as commercial use. Your photographer should handle this; confirm it's covered in the quote.