Art documentation photographer · Harlem studio · Trained at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Most art documentation photographers don’t publish their rates. We do. Here’s what professional artwork photography actually costs — and what you should know before booking a session.
Our Pricing
At Carlson Art Photography, we keep it simple:
Flat works (paintings, drawings, prints): $50/piece
3D and installation (sculpture, mixed media): $75/piece
Setup/travel fee in NYC: $125
Exhibition documentation: $500 for a half day, NYC travel included (details below)
No hidden fees. No hourly surprises. You know the total before we show up.
Exhibition & Installation Rates
Install and exhibition shoots are booked as a half day or a full day, with NYC travel and setup included. Both cover individual artwork photography, overall installation views, medium shots, detail views, and post-production — nothing bills separately.
Half day: $500 — Standard gallery install or art fair booth. Typically around 8 images. NYC travel + setup included.
Full day: $800 — Typically around 20 images. NYC travel + setup included.
Additional images: $35 ea — Beyond the usual scope.
The half day is the standard rate for a gallery install or an art fair booth. Art fair sessions, recurring program rates, and inventory work are covered on the gallery documentation page.
What Drives the Cost
Type of work. Flat, two-dimensional pieces are the most straightforward — consistent lighting, fixed camera angle, efficient workflow. Sculpture and installations take more time: multiple angles, custom lighting for each piece, careful shadow management. That’s why the per-piece rate is higher for 3D work.
Location. We shoot in our Harlem studio or on-site at your studio, gallery, or exhibition space anywhere across the five boroughs and Tri-State area. On-location shoots require more setup, which is what the travel fee covers.
Volume. Documenting 20, 30, or 50 pieces? Once we’re set up, each additional work goes faster. Ask about volume pricing for larger sessions.
Color accuracy. This is where professional documentation separates from general photography. We use calibrated equipment and standardized color reference targets so every image is faithful to the original work. For gallery submissions, catalogue raisonnés, and insurance documentation, this matters.
What’s Included
Every image comes in four versions: a 16-bit TIFF, a full-resolution JPEG, a smaller JPEG, and one sized for Instagram. Post-processing — color correction, cropping, background cleanup — is built into the per-piece rate. Delivery in 3–5 business days, with rush options when you need them.
When You Actually Need It
Not every situation calls for professional photos. Quick progress shots for your own records? Use your phone. But there are situations where image quality has real consequences: gallery and juried submissions, insurance and appraisal records, print catalogues, and anything going to press. In those cases, color accuracy and resolution are so important.
Get a Quote
We work with artists, galleries, and institutions throughout New York City. Museum-grade results, transparent pricing, 3–5 day turnaround.
Email studio@carlsonartphotography.com or call 646-484-8312 to schedule a session.