Industry example
Photography invoice
Photo invoices fail when usage rights are vague. Spell out what the client bought: social only, print campaign, exclusivity window. Put it in the line labels or notes so nobody "forgets" what was included.
Or jump straight to the Invoice Generator.
If usage isn't on the invoice, assume they'll use it everywhere.
Cedar & Lens
Invoice INV-5560
| Item | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product shoot day 12 SKUs, studio | 1 | $1,800 | $1,800 |
| Retouching 36 final images | 36 | $35 | $1,260 |
| Web usage license 12 months, e-commerce | 1 | $600 | $600 |
| Total | $3,660 | ||
Typical photography line items
Pre-production (location scout, shot list), shoot day fee, assistant gear rental if pass-through, culling, retouching per image or per batch, gallery delivery.
Licensing as its own line: "Commercial web + print, 12 months, non-exclusive" reads clearer than burying rights in the shoot fee.
Checklist for photo invoices
Shoot date and invoice date (they differ).
Number of final images delivered.
Usage territory and duration.
Overtime or extra hour rate referenced.
Deposit applied if booked with one.
Common questions
Do I invoice before the shoot?
Take a deposit at booking, invoice the balance on delivery. Some commercial jobs invoice 50% upfront and 50% on file delivery.
How do I bill prints vs digital?
Separate lines. Digital license and physical prints are different products with different costs.