Photography Invoice Template

Free Food Photographer Invoice Template

Invoice clients for food photography, restaurant menus, and brand campaign images. Get paid on time with Tidybill.

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What is a Food Photographer invoice?

A food photographer invoice covers fees for creating images of food and beverages for restaurants, food brands, cookbooks, recipe blogs, and advertising campaigns. Food photography requires both technical photographic skill and an understanding of food styling, which is often a separate service provided by a food stylist working alongside the photographer. Invoices should clearly separate the photographer's fee from food costs, food stylist fees, prop hire, and kitchen or studio hire. The main clients are restaurants (for menus and social media), food brands (for packaging, advertising, and e-commerce), cookbook publishers, and food delivery platforms. Turnaround is typically fast for restaurant and social media work but can extend to weeks for campaign imagery.

What to include on a Food Photographer invoice

Common food photographer invoice line items

Service Typical Rate Unit
Food Photography Day Rate £400 - £1,200 per day
Food Photography (per dish/hero image) £80 - £300 per image
Food Stylist Fee £300 - £800 per day
Food & Ingredients (pass-through) At cost per project
Prop Hire / Purchase At cost + 15% per project
Retouching & Colour Grading £20 - £60 per final image

How to invoice as a food photographer

For restaurant clients, invoice after the shoot with Net 14 terms. For larger brand clients, invoice 50% upfront and 50% on delivery. Pass through production costs (food, props, stylist) as separate line items with receipts. If you own a prop collection and rent it out, invoice prop usage at a clear day rate. For ongoing restaurant or café clients with regular content needs, a monthly retainer covering a set number of dishes per month simplifies administration for both parties. Net 14 is standard.

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Frequently asked questions

Do I need a food stylist to work with me?
For professional food photography, a food stylist significantly improves the results. You can work without one for simpler shoots (e.g. a bistro menu shoot), but for campaign imagery or cookbook work, a stylist is essential. Coordinate with the stylist and invoice their fees as a pass-through. Some photographers offer an all-in package including styling.
Who pays for the food used in food photography shoots?
The client pays for the food. Invoice food costs as a pass-through at actual cost. For restaurant shoots, the restaurant typically provides the food from their kitchen. For brand or cookbook shoots, agree upfront who orders and pays for ingredients, and invoice any food costs you pay upfront on the final invoice.
How do I price a restaurant menu photography project?
For a full restaurant menu shoot, price by the day or by the number of dishes. A full-day shoot covering 20-40 dishes (depending on complexity) is more efficient than pricing per dish for small quantities. Include your retouching time in the day rate or as a separate line item. Many restaurants book annually for menu updates.
Can I use food photography for my portfolio?
Yes, with client permission. For commercial brand work, check your contract for any confidentiality clauses before publishing. Restaurant and café work is generally fine to show in your portfolio. Always credit the restaurant or brand where appropriate.
How do I handle it when a food brand wants a social media content library?
A content library project involves shooting a large number of images in a single or multi-day shoot. Price it as a project fee based on the total number of final images, days of shooting, and usage scope. A content library licence is broader than a single-use licence and should be priced accordingly.
Can I use this template for free?
Yes. Tidybill's free plan lets you create up to 5 invoices per month at no cost, with no credit card required. You can use the Food Photographer invoice template straight away after signing up.