How photography, video and drone pricing works

JD Meyers Productions serves Potsdam and St. Lawrence County and has operated since 2016. These worked examples use the published October 3, 2026 prices. They are planning subtotals; your written quote confirms scope, travel, availability and the final total.

Start with the service and scope

Choose the coverage hours for a wedding, session length for portraits, or square footage for listing media. Then add the extras you actually need. Send the town, date and locations so travel and logistics can be discussed before booking.

Wedding photography example

Six-hour Signature photography is $2,000. A matching six-hour second photographer is $900, for a subtotal of $2,900. Adding wedding aerial coverage at $450 gives a subtotal of $3,350, subject to an available operator and safe flight conditions. A credited $500 photography deposit leaves $2,850 of that example total, before any separately quoted costs. The remaining wedding balance is due 14 calendar days before the wedding.

Photo and video example

Matching six-hour photography and videography totals $4,200. A $1,000 combined deposit is credited toward that total, leaving $3,200 before separately quoted additions. Combined coverage uses separate photography and video professionals. Matching four-hour coverage totals $3,000; eight-hour coverage totals $6,400.

Senior portrait example

A 60-minute Signature portrait session is $225. A second subject adds $50, for a subtotal of $275. The credited $50 portrait deposit leaves $225 of that example total. Shared sessions with three or more subjects use family-session pricing. The Signature package includes up to two outfits and 30+ edited photos; portrait delivery is 1–2 weeks.

Real estate example

A 2,000 sq ft listing photo session is $325. Same-visit aerial stills add $300 and a same-visit 3D tour through 3,000 sq ft adds $300, for a subtotal of $925. Standalone aerial stills start at $450; standalone 3D tours start at $450. Larger tours add $100 per additional 1,500 sq ft beyond 3,000 sq ft.

Extra time and travel

Photography overtime is $300 per hour; additional staff overtime is $150 per hour each. If primary photography and one additional staff member both work one extra hour, that adds $450. Agree changes with JD; an example does not automatically extend your booking. Tell JD about all locations and travel before accepting the final quote.

Travel calculation

There is no additional travel fee within 7 miles of 21 Elm St, Potsdam. Beyond that area, mileage is $0.70 × max(0, round-trip road miles minus 14), per vehicle. Travel time costs $50 per hour per professional beyond the first driving hour in each direction. Shared vehicle mileage is billed once. Parking, lodging, meals and venue permits are itemized and approved in the quote.

For a route of 30 road miles and 45 minutes each way, mileage is $32.20 and there is no time fee. A $2,000 Signature photography booking on that illustrative route has a $2,032.20 subtotal; a credited $500 photography deposit leaves $1,532.20 before tax or any other approved extras. For 90 road miles and two driving hours each way, one vehicle and two professionals add $316.20 in mileage and travel time. These are route examples, not promised distances to a particular venue.

Deposits are part of the price

A credited deposit reduces the remaining balance; it is not added on top of the quoted total. Booking requires the signed agreement and required deposit. Current cancellation, weather and payment policies are in the Terms of Service. No separate card-processing fee or weekly late-fee percentage is added under the published policy.

Make your inquiry easy to quote

Send your service, date or date range, town, coverage hours or property size, budget range and needed extras. Use Check Availability in the navigation for a planning estimate. The estimate does not reserve a date; JD confirms availability and the written quote.

See Services & Pricing and the FAQ for package details. For weddings, use the Wedding Coverage Planner to work out your photography time window.