Photographer

Photographer in the United Arab Emirates

Updated 4 November 2026

A photographer in the United Arab Emirates can cost from about AED 200 an hour for a small event, and a five-hour wedding package with two photographers is listed at AED 3,000. Portrait sessions start from about AED 199. The quickest way to get current prices for your date and city is to post a request on BlaBlaPrice.

These figures are approximate, taken from sellers' websites and price guides in November 2026. Weddings are often quoted per event, while day rates and hourly rates are used for other shoots, so check which unit each offer uses before you compare them.

Permits for outdoor and drone shoots

Shooting in public places can need a permit. Listings for UAE photography permits give costs of AED 100 to AED 500 per day, and processing can take up to 14 working days depending on the location and type of shoot. Drone work needs its own approval, and one aerial permit is listed at AED 500 per day. A freelance photographer may also hold a freelance photography licence, which one provider puts at around AED 7,500. Ask who arranges and pays for the permit before you book.

Season and light

From November to March the weather is mild, so outdoor portraits, family sessions and garden events are comfortable to plan. From May to September the summer is very hot, and indoor or early-morning shoots suit better. The city also matters, because Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman and Al Ain have different venues and travel times.

How the work is booked and delivered

Photographers quote hours, half days or full days, and many wedding and event offers are fixed packages with a set number of hours and photographers. Ask how many edited photos you get, how long the editing takes and whether prints are included. Travel between emirates may change the price, so say where the shoot will take place.

What to put in your request

Describe the type of shoot, the date, the place and the number of hours you need. Say whether you want a freelancer or a studio, how experienced the photographer should be and what you will receive at the end. Add your budget in AED, because it helps sellers offer a package that fits.

On BlaBlaPrice you describe the shoot in your own words in a chat, and it is free for buyers. Photographers registered on BlaBlaPrice receive the request and reply in the chat with their price, what is included and when they are free. Your contacts stay hidden until you decide with whom to exchange them. Start with BlaBlaPrice, and see how BlaBlaPrice works.