Why commercial photography for tradies is different
For tradies, photos are not just brand polish—they are proof. People compare local providers fast, often on a phone, and will judge you on recent, relevant, real-world work. The right images lift trust, filter out tyre-kickers and support higher-quality enquiries.
- Show real jobs: before/after, detail close-ups, site conditions, safety in action
- Make credentials visible: licences, memberships, reviews, and branded vehicles
- Match channel needs: Google Business Profile, website service pages, quotes and ads
- Prioritise lead quality: images that pre-qualify projects and set expectations
Options to compare
Choose scope based on your pipeline, locations and how quickly you need assets in-market.
- Call-out or micro-shoot (1–2 hrs): Rapid update for Google Business Profile and a key service page.
- Half-day shoot: Multiple jobs or one deeper showcase with before/after sequences and team.
- Full-day shoot: Several sites or one hero project with daylight and dusk options.
- Drone add-on: Aerial context for roofing, solar, landscaping or access-limited sites (CASA compliant).
- Ongoing quarterly content: Keep your profile fresh and seasonal work visible.
Typical pricing in Australia
Budgets vary by travel, complexity, timing and editing depth. These ranges help you set expectations:
- Call-out or micro-shoot: $350–$650
- Half-day (up to ~4 hours): $700–$1,400
- Full-day (up to ~8 hours): $1,200–$2,400
- Drone operations (add-on): from $200–$500+, CASA licensed
- Priority turnaround, out-of-hours or complex retouching: quoted to scope
Most quotes include a commercial licence for normal business use (website, Google Business Profile, social, proposals). Expanded advertising or third-party usage can be added.
Trade-ready shot lists
Use these as a starting point and adapt to your services and seasonality.
- Plumbers: leak source, pipe replacement, fixture installs, hot water systems, drain camera, before/after bathrooms and kitchens.
- Electricians: switchboards, EV chargers, lighting upgrades, safety checks, solar/battery systems, thermal testing.
- Builders & carpenters: framing, joinery details, cabinetry alignment, decking, pergolas, final façade hero shots.
- Roofers & solar: roof condition, flashing, safety lines, panel arrays, inverter installs, drone overviews.
- Landscapers & concreters: prep, pours, finishes, paving patterns, retaining walls, irrigation, dusk hero shots.
- Tilers & painters: masking, prep, edges and corners, finishes in natural and artificial light.
- HVAC & refrigeration: units, ducting, controls, airflow testing, commercial plant rooms.
On-site process and safety
- Pre-shoot: confirm locations, access, timings, priorities, weather back-up and PPE requirements.
- Site safety: white card for construction sites, SWMS where needed, and public liability insurance.
- Drone use: RePL/ReOC credentials, flight plan and any location approvals in line with CASA rules.
- Workflow: capture “problem → process → result”, consistent angles for before/after, and brand elements.
- Turnaround: standard 3–7 business days; rush delivery available.
- Delivery: web-optimised JPEGs plus print-ready files on request; filenames aligned to services for SEO.
Where images drive results
- Google Business Profile: fresh photos improve relevance and click-through; add EXIF/alt text context.
- Website service pages: sequence images to mirror your quoting journey and proof of standards.
- Quotes and proposals: visual proof increases acceptance and reduces price-only comparisons.
- Ads and landing pages: better thumb-stopping creatives lift CTR and lower CPA.
- Social highlights and case posts: tell the story of the job, not just the finished shot.
Improve your Google Business Profile Fix service pages and conversions
DIY vs pro: how to choose
- DIY quick snaps: useful for progress updates and volume; risk is inconsistent light and framing.
- Pro shoot: control lighting, composition, safety, and editing; stronger impact on conversion quality.
- Hybrid: team captures progress; pro schedules quarterly shoots for hero assets and case studies.
Brand photography vs stock images Get a balanced recommendation
Usage rights and deliverables
- Licence: website, GBP, social, email and standard print included unless otherwise stated.
- Editing: colour correction, light retouching; deep retouching or composites on request.
- File formats: web-optimised and high-res; dimensions tailored for GBP and service pages.
- Naming and metadata: aligned to services and suburbs to support local SEO strategy.
How this supports your wider marketing
Photography works best alongside a clear conversion path, fast follow-up and reliable tracking. If your images improve click-through but the enquiry path is slow or unclear, you won’t see the full benefit.
- SEO for tradies: improve organic visibility on service pages.
- Google Ads for tradies: use strong hero shots in responsive ads and landing pages.
- Content marketing for tradies: turn shoots into case studies.
- Analytics and tracking for tradies: measure lead quality, not just count.
FAQs
How many photos do we get?
Quality beats volume. Expect a curated set that covers your agreed shot list—often 25–60 strong images for a half-day and 60–120 for a full-day, subject to scope.
Weather contingencies?
We confirm a back-up window during planning. Light rain can work for some trades; high wind or lightning stops drone and some elevated work.
Do clients on-site need to sign anything?
For identifiable people or private property, a simple release or permission-in-writing is recommended. We’ll flag any likely needs during pre-production.
Can you coordinate around active jobs?
Yes. We stage minimal-disruption sequences and prioritise safety briefings. Where needed, we capture progress quickly and return post-completion for hero shots.
Related tradie pages
Photography pillar pages
Next step
If you want a clear recommendation and a price that matches your scope, timeline and safety needs, send a quick brief. Include the trade, locations, ideal dates, and whether you need drone or out-of-hours access.