Photographer

Hiring a photographer in New Zealand: prices and what to check

Updated 4 November 2026

In New Zealand, a family or portrait session with an experienced photographer costs about NZ$700 to NZ$1,500, and a wedding costs about NZ$1,200 for a budget photographer and up to NZ$12,000 for a high-end one, according to sellers' websites and price guides in November 2026. Freelance photographers often charge about NZ$64 an hour on average. To see current offers for your date and shoot type, send a request on BlaBlaPrice.

Who owns the photos and the licence

Copyright is the rule to check before you book. Each party in a shoot can need its own licence, or the parties can agree on a shared cost before the shoot. Some photographers license each image for a fee from NZ$700, and NZ$900 where a permit is needed from the Department of Conservation. Ask in writing who owns the images and how you may use them, such as for printing or on social media.

Season and daylight

Summer runs from December to February, which is the busiest time for outdoor weddings and family photos. Plan an outdoor shoot for those months with an indoor backup in case of rain. Winter, from June to August, has shorter days, so schedule outdoor work for the hours of daylight and ask the photographer how they handle low light.

How photographers charge

Prices are quoted per session, per hour or as a package. Some quotes exclude GST, and some include travel only within a set distance. Ask whether the fee covers the edit, the number of finished images and the delivery of files. In Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton and Tauranga, ask whether the travel to the venue is extra.

What to write in your request

Say what kind of shoot it is, the date and the hours you need, and the workplace or venue. Give the pay you expect, the experience level you want, and whether you need one photographer or a second one. Say what deliverables you want, such as edited images, a gallery or prints, and whether you need the copyright or licence terms in writing.

Sellers registered on BlaBlaPrice receive your request and reply in the chat with their own offer: price, terms and delivery. Your contacts stay hidden until you decide whom to contact. Create a request for free, or read how it works first.