The True Cost of Landscape Photography: Pricing, Prints & What You’re Paying For
Walk into any coastal café on the Sunshine Coast, and chances are you’ll see a massive framed image of a misty hinterland morning or a golden sunset crashing over rocks at Mooloolaba. That’s landscape photography at its best—emotive, powerful, and impossible to ignore.
But whether you’re buying a fine art print or booking a commissioned shoot, one question always comes up:
Why does professional landscape photography cost what it does?
In this post, we break down exactly what goes into landscape photography pricing—from the shoot itself to the years of skill behind it. Whether you're a buyer, business, or budding photographer, this guide reveals the real value behind the price tag.
Why Landscape Photography Isn’t Just “Taking a Picture”
Capturing a breathtaking landscape isn’t about showing up and pressing a button.
It’s about:
Knowing exactly when and where to shoot (often after weeks of weather watching)
Using the right combination of filters, lenses, and settings
Hauling 15–20kg of gear through mountains, mud, rain and sea spray
Post-processing dozens of images using techniques like focus stacking, exposure blending, or panoramic stitching
You’re not just paying for a photo. You’re paying for:
Years of experience
Rare moments captured in perfect conditions
Technical skill and artistic vision
Fine art printing that lasts for decades
What Does a Landscape Photographer Do?
Here’s a breakdown of the process behind just one image you see on a gallery wall or website:
Scouting – Researching access, sun angles, tides, seasonal conditions
Timing – Shooting during golden hour, blue hour, or weather-specific windows
Shooting – Bracketing exposures, using graduated ND filters, battling wind or rain
Editing – Lightroom and Photoshop workflows that can take 2–6+ hours per image
Printing – Calibrated colour profiles, archival paper, mounting or framing
Each image represents days—sometimes weeks—of preparation. And that’s before the client ever sees it.
How Landscape Photography Is Priced (And Why)
Product or ServiceTypical Price Range (AUD)Open Edition Prints (A3–A1)$85 – $400Limited Edition Prints (signed)$350 – $2,000+Commissioned Landscape Shoots$750 – $3,500+ (depending on access, travel, size)Digital Licensing for Commercial Use$200 – $1,500+
Why so broad? Because every job and print is different. Some buyers want a one-off installation for a beach house in Noosa; others want a commercial licence for a campaign across 50 retail stores.
What You’re Paying For
Let’s break this down. A fine art print or commissioned shoot includes:
📍 Location scouting (sometimes months in advance)
📸 Camera gear + field work – multiple sunrise/sunset attempts, remote locations
🎨 Advanced editing techniques (focus stacking, HDR, colour grading)
🖨 Premium printing – e.g. archival paper, Giclée ink, museum-quality framing
🔐 Limited edition guarantees (for collectors or galleries)
Every detail is intentional. Every print is crafted to last, not fade.
Print Buyers: What Influences the Price of a Landscape Print?
Edition Type: Open (unlimited) vs. Limited (usually signed and numbered)
Size & Material: A4 vs. A0, unframed vs. acrylic float mount
Subject Rarity: Rare weather conditions, remote locations, or iconic local scenes
Photographer Reputation: Awards, exhibitions, brand work, or collector following
Framing Quality: Custom timber framing or UV acrylic can double the value
Looking to invest in fine art prints? Explore my limited edition Sunshine Coast print shop.
Commissions & Custom Work: Why It Costs More
Commissioned landscape shoots are a different beast.
These aren’t just about aesthetics—they often serve a purpose:
Hotel or resort branding
Feature walls for interior designers
Large-scale installations for businesses or councils
Tourism campaigns or ad content
That means multiple location options, licensing rights, framing, and sometimes aerial drone work as well. You’re not buying a photo—you’re hiring an artist to capture a vision for your space.
Want to book a custom shoot? Learn more about commissioned landscape photography.
Real-World Example: A Shoot in the Hinterland
One of my most popular prints—“Mist Over Maleny”—was two years in the making.
It took:
11 failed sunrise attempts
Two different seasons
4WD-only access after a week of rain
Post-processing with four exposure brackets, one sky replacement, and three stacked focus layers
That one image has been featured in Australian Traveller Magazine, multiple exhibitions, and several Sunshine Coast homes.
That’s the difference: intentional imagery vs. snapshots.
Final Thoughts: Landscape Photography Is an Artform (and an Investment)
Whether you’re a buyer, business, or creative, landscape photography has value beyond pixels. It can inspire, ground you, elevate a room, or make your brand unforgettable.
And the price? That’s simply the cost of time, skill, and the rare moments captured when the light is just right.