Let me be upfront about something: most photographers — myself included, are not great at explaining our pricing.


We put a number on a website, list a few bullet point and hope clients just trust us. But if you've ever looked at a photography quote and thought "wait, that's just for a few hours?”, this post is for you.


I want to break down exactly what goes into photography pricing, what my packages include, and how to figure out which one actually fits what you need. No vague "starting at" language. No surprises.


First: why does photography cost what it does?


This is the question nobody answers directly, so let's start here.


The hours behind one gallery

When you book a 2-hour portrait session, you're not paying for 4 hours of work. Here's what a typical session actually involves:


  • Pre-shoot planning and client communication: 0.5-1 hours
  • Travel to and from the location: 1–2 hours
  • The shoot itself: 2 hours
  • Culling through hundreds of raw images to find the best ones: 1–3 hours
  • Editing each selected image: 2–4 hours
  • Exporting, uploading, and delivering the gallery: 1 hour
  • Follow-up and any revisions: 1 hour


That 4-hour shoot is easily 8+ hours of total work. When you frame it that way, the rate starts to look a lot more reasonable.


GEAR, INSURANCE, AND SOFTWARE


The camera in my hands on shoot day costs more than most people's laptops. Add a second body (required backup), multiple lenses, a flash kit, memory cards, and a bag to carry it all — we're already into serious money, and all of it needs to be replaced and upgraded over time.


Then there's the less glamorous side: liability insurance, editing software subscriptions, an online gallery platform, accounting tools, a website. These aren't optional. They're what make a photography business function reliably.



You're not just paying for photos


When you hire an experienced photographer, you're paying for the certainty that your moments will be captured well. You can't re-stage a first dance. You can't re-do the moment your daughter sees you in your wedding dress. A skilled photographer anticipates those moments before they happen, positions themselves correctly, and has the technical fluency to nail the shot in challenging light.


That reliability, that peace of mind - is the real product. The photos are how it's delivered.


What's typically included in a photography package


Packages vary a lot across photographers, so here's a plain-English guide to what to look for.


Shooting time

This is the number of hours I'm actively photographing your event or session. It's the most visible element of any package, but not the most important one on its own. A skilled photographer who's efficient in 3 hours often delivers better work than someone less experienced who shoots for 6.


Most of my packages specify exactly how many hours are included, and I'm transparent about what it costs to add more time if needed.


Number of edited images

"Edited images" doesn't mean every photo I take — it means the selects I've culled, colour-graded, and finished. I typically shoot far more than I deliver, because that's how you guarantee the best 40 (or 100, or 400) images rather than handing over every blink and test shot.


More images isn't automatically better. Fifty beautifully edited portraits from a 2-hour session is worth more than 500 mediocre ones.


Delivery method and timeline

All my packages include an online gallery delivered within the timeframe listed. You can download full-resolution images directly and share the gallery link with family.


Turnaround times vary by package — a standard portrait session takes around 2 weeks; larger events like weddings take 6–8 weeks. If you need images faster, a rush option is available as an add-on.


Usage and printing rights

When you receive your gallery, you have full rights to print your images for personal use and share them on social media. You don't need to ask permission to print a canvas for your living room or post a photo on Instagram.


Commercial usage (for advertising, products, or business purposes) is handled separately and priced accordingly — just ask.




MY PACKAGES IN ABU DHABI AS A FAMILY AND COUPLE PHOTOGRAPHER,

BROKEN DOWN


 

Here's exactly what's included at each level, and more importantly, who each one is designed for.



Mini — 225 AED

Best for: a quick refresh, a single portrait, or if you're not sure where to start


  • Up to 30 minutes at a location that feels like home (Abu Dhabi City*)
  • 7 edited images delivered, with the option to upgrade to 20 images
  • Styling guidance included
  • Online gallery with download rights
  • 2-week delivery


The Mini is a great entry point — focused, relaxed, and more than enough for updated social portraits, a small keepsake set or a first session if you've never been photographed professionally before.


Classic — 500 AED

Best for: individuals, couples, families, or anyone who wants a proper session with room to relax into it


  • Up to 1 hour at a location that feels like home (Abu Dhabi City*)
  • 20 edited images delivered, with the option to upgrade to the full gallery of 80+
  • Styling guidance included
  • Online gallery with download rights
  • 2-week delivery


An hour gives us time to settle in, try a few different spots, and capture a real range of moments — not just a handful of rushed shots. The 20-image delivery covers everything most people need, and the full gallery upgrade is there if you find yourself wanting more.


Premium — 650 AED (most popular)

Best for: anyone who wants more than the Classic but doesn't need the full Lux experience


  • Up to 1.5 hours at a location that feels like home (Abu Dhabi City*)
  • 40 edited images delivered, with the option to upgrade to the full gallery of 80+
  • Styling guidance included
  • Online gallery with download rights
  • 2-week delivery


The extra half hour over the Classic makes a noticeable difference — more variety, more ease, more to choose from. It's the most popular package for a reason: it hits the sweet spot between value and depth of coverage.




Lux — 1,600 AED

Best for: those who want the full experience — unhurried, editorial, and comprehensive


  • Up to 2 hours at a location that feels like home (Abu Dhabi City*)
  • 80 edited images included
  • Styling guidance included
  • Online gallery with download rights
  • 2-week delivery


Two hours is a different kind of session. There's time to explore, change looks, move between spots, and find the images that really feel like you — not just the first few frames when everyone's still warming up. The 80-image delivery means you'll have a complete, gallery-worthy set to keep.


Add-ons


Additional hour: 200 AED

I will be one hour longer to take photos in case you need more time to take a break or you have multiple outfit changes.


Express editing: 300 AED

Ready in 3 days. Otherwise you can expect your gallery to be ready in 14 days.


Additional photo: 30 AED

You only want to purchase few more photos instead of the full gallery.


Additional person/pet: 50 AED

Sessions have a limit of 5 people. A charge of 50 AED is required per additional person/pet.


Extra 10 photos: 230 AED

You will get extra 10 photos added to your final gallery.

PS!: Doesn’t apply for Lux session. For Mini sessions only 10 extra photos are allowed due to having less time compared to other sessions.


*Transport fee: 200 AED

Past Al Rawdah (outside of the City), there is a transport fee (Abu Dhabi Emirate). For other Emirates ask for a price.

What else affects the final price


Even within a package, a few things can shift the total.


Location and travel. I don't charge for travel within Abu Dhabi City*. Beyond that, travel time and costs are added at a flat rate and for destination shoots (which I love doing), we'll work out a custom quote together.


Time of year. Winter is the peak season for outdoor portraits and weddings. Weekends in cooler months in Abu Dhabi book out weeks in advance. If your dates are flexible, weekday sessions and off-peak months often have more availability and occasionally better rates.


Session complexity. A multi-generational family reunion with 30 people across three locations is a different scope of work than a couples session at one park. I'll always be upfront if a request warrants a custom quote rather than a standard package.


How to know which package is right for you


A few simple questions help narrow it down.


How will you actually use the images? If you want a large print for your wall, you need high-resolution files — all packages include these. If you mainly want photos for social media and digital sharing, even the Mini Session will give you more than enough. If you're planning albums, gifts, and keepsakes, it's worth considering a package with more images to choose from.


Match the package to the event, not just the budget. A 6-hour corporate event needs more coverage than a 90-minute family session. I'd rather talk you through why a particular package fits your day than have you underbook and miss moments that can't be recreated.


Ask before you assume. If none of the packages above quite fit what you have in mind, just ask. Custom packages are possible. If something's out of budget, I'd rather have an honest conversation about options than lose you to a photographer who isn't right for your event.


A note on why I charge what I charge


I price my work to reflect the quality of what I deliver and the care I put into every session not to compete with the cheapest option available.


There will always be someone who charges less. There will always be someone who charges more. What I can tell you is that every client who's worked with me knows exactly what they're paying for before we start, receives their images on time, and walks away with something they'll actually print and keep.


That's the standard I hold myself to and it's what's reflected in the pricing above.


If you'd like to talk through which package fits your plans or if you have a completely different project in mind. I'd love to hear from you.



See you soon 🤍

Kairiin 📸