Photoshoot Costs in Malaysia 2024: What to Expect (Fashion, Product & Corporate Examples)
One of the most common questions potential clients ask is, "How much will my photoshoot cost?" The answer, while not straightforward, doesn't need to be mysterious. This comprehensive guide breaks down the current photography pricing landscape in Malaysia for 2024, giving you the transparency you need to budget effectively and find the right photographer for your needs.
Average Photography Rates in Malaysia (2024)
Photography pricing in Malaysia varies widely based on the photographer's experience, the type of shoot, and specific requirements. Here's a breakdown of what you can expect to pay across different photography categories:
Fashion Photography Pricing
Service Level : Price Range (RM)
Entry-Level : 1,500 - 2,500 | 4-hour shoot, 1 location, basic retouching, 15-20 final images
Mid-Range : 2,500 - 3,500 | 6-hour shoot, 2 locations, detailed retouching, 25-30 final images
Premium : 3,500 - 5,000+ | 8-hour shoot, multiple locations, premium retouching, 30+ final images
Editorial/Commercial : 5,000 - 15,000+ | Full production team, creative direction, commercial usage rights
What this typically covers: A professional fashion photographer, basic styling consultation, digital delivery of final images, and standard usage rights for your brand's platforms.
What this typically doesn't include: Models, makeup artists, hair stylists, wardrobe, complex location fees, or extended commercial usage rights.
Product Photography Pricing
Service Level : Price Range (RM)
Basic (White Background) : 800 - 1,500 | 10-20 products, 1-2 angles per product, basic retouching
Standard : 1,500 - 2,500 | 10-20 products, 3-4 angles per product, detailed retouching
Premium/Lifestyle: 2,500 - 3,000+ | 10-15 products, multiple angles, lifestyle context, advanced retouching
What this typically covers: Studio setup, lighting, basic props, clipping path/background removal, color correction, and web-ready files.
What this typically doesn't include: Complex props, models, location shoots, or infographic design elements.
Corporate Photography Pricing
Service Level : Price Range (RM)
Basic Corporate Headshots : 1,000 - 1,800 | Half-day shoot, simple backdrop, 5-10 staff members, basic retouching
Standard Corporate Package : 1,800 - 3,000 | Full-day shoot, environmental portraits, up to 20 staff members, team photos
Premium Corporate Package : 5,000 - 10,000+ | Full-day shoot, multiple setups, environmental and studio portraits, extended usage rights
Event Photography (Corporate) : 2,000 - 5,000+ | 4-8 hours of coverage, edited highlights gallery, fast turnaround
What this typically covers: Professional lighting setup, basic retouching, digital delivery, and standard commercial usage rights.
What this typically doesn't include: Hair and makeup services, extensive location setup, or complex post-production effects.
Additional Photography Services
ServicePrice Range (RM)
Additional Retouching : 50 - 150 per image
Rush Delivery Fee : 20-50% of total project cost
Weekend/Holiday Rate : 20-30% additional fee
Half-Day Assistant : 200 - 400
Makeup Artist : 500 - 1,500 per day
Hair Stylist : 500 - 1,500 per day
Digital Asset Management : 500 - 1,000
Raw File Delivery : 30-50% additional fee
What Affects Photography Pricing in Malaysia
Understanding what drives cost variations can help you make informed decisions and potentially optimize your budget:
1. Photographer's Experience and Reputation
The photographer's track record significantly impacts pricing:
Emerging Photographers: RM800-2,000 per day, building their portfolios
Established Professionals: RM2,000-5,000 per day, with proven track records
Industry Leaders: RM5,000-15,000+ per day, working with major brands and publications
Cost-Saving Tip: Consider emerging photographers with strong portfolios who are looking to establish themselves in specific niches. They often offer competitive rates while delivering professional quality.
2. Post-Production Time and Complexity
Many clients underestimate the time spent on post-production, which often exceeds the actual shooting time:
Basic Editing: Colour correction, exposure adjustments (included in base price)
Standard Retouching: Skin retouching, minor distractions removal (often included)
Advanced Retouching: Complex background replacement, composite images (additional RM50-150 per image)
Specialized Editing: Product enhancement, color grading for brand consistency (additional fees)
Time Investment Reality: For every hour of shooting, professional photographers typically spend 2-3 hours on selection and editing.
3. Production Scale and Crew Size
The scope of your shoot directly impacts costs:
Solo Photographer: Basic setup, suitable for simple shoots
Photographer + Assistant: More complex lighting, faster workflow
Full Production Team: Photographer, assistants, digital tech, art director, stylists
Each additional team member adds RM200-1,500 to the daily rate depending on their specialization.
4. Location Factors
Where you shoot matters significantly:
Studio Photography: Control and consistency, studio rental fees apply (RM500-2,000 per day)
On-Location (Urban): Dynamic settings, potential permit requirements
On-Location (Remote): Travel time, transportation costs, accommodation if needed
Common Location Permits in Malaysia:
DBKL (Kuala Lumpur) commercial photography permits: RM300-1,000
Shopping mall photography permits: RM500-2,000
Heritage building access: RM300-1,500
National parks and reserves: RM100-500
5. Equipment Requirements
Specialized equipment needs will increase your budget:
Standard DSLR/Mirrorless Setup: Included in base rate
Medium Format System: 20-50% premium (for ultimate detail in commercial work)
Specialised Lighting: Additional RM500-1,500+ depending on complexity
Drone Photography: Additional RM800-2,000 depending on location
Underwater Photography: Additional RM2,000-5,000+ for equipment and expertise
6. Usage Rights and Licensing
How and where you'll use the images affects pricing:
Social Media/Website: Usually included in base packages
Print Advertising: 50-100% additional fee
Billboards/Large Format: 100-200% additional fee
National Campaigns: Negotiated based on reach and duration
Exclusive Rights: Significantly higher than shared rights
Photography Package Examples: What You Actually Get
To illustrate real-world pricing, here are examples of actual photography packages available in Malaysia:
Fashion Photography Example
Basic Fashion Lookbook Package (RM2,800)
6-hour photoshoot
1 photographer + 1 assistant
2 locations within Klang Valley
4-6 outfit changes
25 professionally edited images
Basic styling consultation
Digital delivery within 7 working days
Usage rights for brand's own platforms
Premium Fashion Campaign Package (RM5,500)
10-hour photoshoot
1 photographer + 2 assistants
Multiple locations
Up to 10 outfit changes
40 professionally edited images
Detailed pre-production planning
Creative direction and mood board development
Digital delivery within 5 working days
Extended usage rights including limited print advertising
Product Photography Example
Standard E-Commerce Package (RM1,200)
Studio white background setup
15 products
2 angles per product
Basic retouching and background removal
Web-optimized images
Delivery within 5 working days
Premium Product Lifestyle Package (RM2,800)
Studio and lifestyle setting
10 products
Multiple angles including detail shots
Context/lifestyle shots for each product
Advanced retouching
Social media and web-optimized versions
Delivery within 7 working days
Corporate Photography Example
Executive Team Package (RM2,200)
Half-day shoot at your office
Environmental portraits of up to 15 team members
Group/team configurations
Two lighting/backdrop setups
Basic retouching
Digital delivery within 7 working days
Commercial usage rights for company materials
Be aware of these potential additional expenses when budgeting for photography services:
1. Travel and Accommodation
For shoots outside the photographer's base location (typically Klang Valley), expect:
Mileage charges: RM0.80-1.50 per km
Accommodation: Actual cost plus 10-20%
Per diem: RM100-200 per day for meals and incidentals
2. Overtime Fees
Most photographers charge hourly overtime after exceeding the contracted shoot duration:
Standard overtime: 1.5 x day rate/12 hours for the first 3 hours. 3.0 x day rate/12 hours for the next 3 hours.
e.g. Production assistant (Day Rate = RM300):
Total work time : 15 hours = 12 hours + 3 hours overtime
Gross Wages = RM300 + (1.5 x 300/12)3
= RM412.50
Rush overtime (extending with minimal notice): Premium rates apply
3. Rush Delivery Fees
Need images faster than the standard delivery timeline?
24-hour turnaround: 50-100% additional fee
48-72 hour turnaround: 30-50% additional fee
4. Additional Editing Rounds
Most packages include 1-2 rounds of revisions:
Additional minor revisions: RM50-100 per image
Major revisions requiring reshoot elements: Priced per case
5. Cancellation Policies
Most professional photographers in Malaysia have cancellation policies:
Cancellation within 48 hours: 50-100% of total fee
Cancellation within 1 week: 25-50% of total fee
Rescheduling fees may apply
How to Get the Best Value for Your Photography Budget
1. Book Multiple Services Together
Many photographers offer discounts for booking different types of photography together:
Product + lifestyle shots: 10-20% discount
Corporate headshots + event coverage: 15-25% discount
Regular ongoing work: Significantly reduced rates
2. Consider Timing Flexibility
If your schedule allows flexibility, ask about:
Weekday vs. weekend rates (15-25% difference)
Off-peak season discounts (monsoon season for outdoor shoots)
Last-minute availability discounts
3. Clearly Define Deliverables
Be specific about what you need to avoid surprise costs:
Exact number of final images
Specific retouching requirements
File formats and resolutions
Usage rights and licensing needs
4. Optimise Shoot Efficiency
Plan your shoot carefully to maximize productivity:
Group similar setups together
Prepare detailed shot lists
Have all products/people ready before the photographer arrives
Consider half-day rates for concentrated work
How to Evaluate Photography Quotes
When comparing photography pricing in Malaysia, look beyond the bottom line:
Red Flags in Low-Priced Offers
Vague deliverable descriptions
Unclear revision policies
No mention of usage rights
Very short shooting times
No assistants for complex shoots
Limited portfolio examples
Value Indicators Worth Paying For
Pre-shoot consultations and planning
Backup equipment
Assistant(s) included
Clear deliverable timelines
Detailed post-production descriptions
Transparent licensing terms
Portfolio consistency
Our Transparent Pricing Structure
We believe in complete transparency. Our photography packages are designed to provide clear value while meeting diverse client needs:
Client Success Stories: Value Beyond Price
Case Study: Fashion Brand Investment Return
A local fashion label invested RM5,500 in professional photography:
42% increase in online conversion rate
Featured in two major publications based on image quality
3x increase in social media engagement
ROI achieved within first month of new collection launch
Case Study: E-Commerce Product Photography
An artisanal home goods brand upgraded from DIY to professional photography:
Product return rate decreased from 15% to 3%
Average order value increased by 28%
Successfully expanded to international marketplaces
Case Study: Corporate Rebranding Photography
A financial services firm invested RM25,000 in corporate rebranding photography:
Successfully repositioned brand from "retail" to "fine-dining"
22% increase in website traffic
Images repurposed across multiple marketing channels for 12 months
Get a Customised Photography Quote in 1 Hour
Every photography project has unique requirements and objectives. Rather than fitting your needs into a pre-defined package, let's discuss your specific goals.
Our streamlined quote process ensures you'll have a detailed, transparent pricing proposal within 1 hour during business hours.
Simply provide:
Type of photography needed
Approximate number of images required
Intended usage of images
Preferred timeline
Any special requirements
Thank you!