Time-lapse photography – Pricing and Fees
These are the types of time-lapse photography services I offer:
- Short-term time-lapse:
With short-term time-lapse, the sequence of events take place in a day or less, often just a few hours. But sometimes these projects can take 2 or 3 days. There are examples in the Projects section in the main menu.
Short-term time-lapse is where I set up the cameras (often on a motion-controlled dolly), and stay with the cameras and monitor it during the shoot, and then break it all down afterwards. The cameras are the larger DSLRs which allow us fine control over the image quality and how the movement in the scene is rendered.
- INDOOR Long-term TL:
With long-term time-lapse, the cameras run for periods of weeks or months. Again, this can be a single or multiple cameras. I use DSLR cameras (which offer us more control), rather than simpler options like GoPro cameras. Please check this article for the difference between the two options: GoPro timelapse vs DSLR cameras.
The cameras need to be indoors, where they are sheltered from the elements, and they also need to run off AC power since it is a long-term installation. The cameras are mounted in a static position with clamps – there is no cinematic motion involved. Since Long-term time-lapse shooting implies that the cameras are used in a dedicated way just for the single project, it does push up the cost.
- OUTDOOR Long-term TL:
Then there is outdoor long-term time-lapse where the camera is mounted securely in a weather-proofed housing, and is powered with a solar-powered battery. The camera then runs for weeks, or months, or even years. The camera is frequently monitored and the footage checked.
Long-term time-lapse involves a dedicated rig that is mounted somewhere safe on location. This means the camera (and related gear) are used just for this one purpose – and I can’t use it for anything else for the year (or whatever duration.) Hence the costs for the long-term time-lapse photography is higher – it involves a dedicated camera system.
Fees for short-term time-lapse
Short-term time-lapse are shot with DSLR cameras. The fees mentioned here are tentative, due to the variables mentioned above. But it should give a good ball-park figure.
The structure is based on a Day Rate of $1400 for New Jersey; and $1750 for New York.
Larger projects which need subsequent days of shooting, are priced on a sliding scale.
The deliverables are usually 1 to 3 short video clips in 1080p, but 4K video is also possible.
Contact me for more info, or to discuss your project.
Fees for INDOOR long-term time-lapse
The fees mentioned here are tentative, due to the variables, but should give a good ball-park figure.
Pricing for the first week is approximately $700 for the first camera installation, and $500 for each additional camera. The cost for each additional week is $300 per camera. This includes monitoring and recording photos for that period, and delivery of the final video.
With this approach to the time-lapse project, DSLR cameras are used which offer a higher image quality, and better video quality. Please check this article for the difference between the two options: GoPro timelapse vs DSLR cameras.
The fee will be billed in 4 payments – the first 25% as deposit.
The next 25% upon installation of the rig.
The third 25% on completion of the building project.
The final 25% on delivery of the video clips.
The deliverables will be video footage compiled of the individual RAW frames,
and I can produce clips of various durations, depending on your use.
We will discuss the specifics of the video clips (duration, etc) when we meet to discuss the details of the project.
Fees for OUTDOOR long-term time-lapse
The fees mentioned here are tentative, due to the variables, but should give a good ball-park figure.
1st month — $3,500
2nd month — $1,500
each additional month — $800 per month
To explain this in more detail: With long-term time-lapse the setup (which includes a waterproof camera housing and solar panel, as well as subsequent storage of data), starts at $3,500 per single camera setup for the first month. The 2nd month is $1,500. Pricing for 2 months is then approximately $5,000 for a single camera installation, and monitoring and recording photos for that period.
Thereafter, the pricing is $800 for each subsequent month.
For example, pricing for 4 months would approximately be $6,600 per installation.
The billing structure:
The initial payment of $3,500 will be in two parts:
— $1,500 upon start of the project
— $2,000 at the end upon delivery of the video files.
All other payments are monthly.
The deliverables will be video footage compiled of the individual RAW frames,
and I can produce clips of various durations, depending on your use.
The final videos will be hosted on Vimeo, and then be available for download upon payment.
We will discuss the specifics of the video clips (duration, etc) when we meet to discuss the details of the project.
Fee structure
This is a rough guide to the fees involved in shooting a project or event, using time-lapse. There are too many variables to immediately give a fixed rate, so please call me or email me so that we can discuss your project, and figure out what is possible.
To give you an idea of what is involved, and why the actual fee might vary – the pricing depends on:
- The scale of the event.
Some events need multiple cameras. Other events can be captured properly from just one camera viewpoint. Would dollies be needed to create cameras movement? Is a single static camera good enough? These are some of the considerations.
- Would an assist would be needed?
This would depend on how much gear is needed to capture the event. Then the security of the cameras if we shoot out on location, are also important. For example, if we shoot out on the streets of New York, then I will most likely need an assistant per camera.
- The deliverables after the project or event.
The deliverables are usually video clips in 1080p or 4K format. Some clients prefer the individual RAW files, without editing. Most clients want a finished video that includes music and title & credit slides. We would also have to figure out beforehand how long you need your video to be, because this will affect all kinds of technical decisions down the line such as the time-lapse interval and other camera settings.