Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about ShootRate — how it works, what it costs, and what photographers actually do with the output.
What is ShootRate?
ShootRate is AI-powered pricing strategy software built specifically for photographers. You describe your session type, market, experience level, and what you want to charge — and ShootRate generates a complete pricing strategy including market benchmarks, package structure, and word-for-word scripts for closing bookings and handling price objections.
Is it really free to start?
Yes, but free is intentionally limited to a thin product preview. It does not include the First 5 Pricing Audit, revenue-leak diagnosis, a chosen fix, reply wording, reply handling, or a paid-customer spot. If you want the Pricing Audit, use the paid First 5 path.
Do I need to be a professional photographer?
No. ShootRate works equally well for full-time professionals, part-time photographers, and people who are just starting to charge for their work. The AI tailors its output to your experience level and market context — beginners get strategies appropriate for building a client base, established photographers get strategies for raising their rates.
Will it work for my photography specialty?
ShootRate covers 12+ photography specialties including wedding, portrait, family, senior, newborn, headshot, commercial, corporate event, school, boudoir, real estate, and product photography. Each specialty has its own pricing logic built in — you're not getting generic advice tuned for a different niche.
How accurate is the pricing data?
ShootRate publishes directional benchmarks for 72 US city markets plus regional fallbacks. Legacy ranges use published wedding-industry guidance and community pricing inputs; newly modeled metros use official Census population and growth estimates plus BEA regional price levels. These are planning anchors, not guaranteed closing prices or a substitute for checking your own bookings and competitors.
What information do I need to generate a strategy?
At minimum: your photography specialty, your market or city, your experience level, and what type of session or project you're pricing. The more detail you provide — hours, deliverables, travel, specific package ideas — the more tailored the output. Most photographers complete the input form in under 2 minutes.
What does the free plan include?
Free only shows the shape of the product. It does not diagnose your path or tell you what to fix. The paid Pricing Audit is where ShootRate looks at one real quote, package, or quote, package, or lead path and helps identify a quote clarity, package fit, follow-up, price-friction, or next-step leak.
Can I save and come back to a proposal?
Yes. All proposals are saved to your account so you can reference them, update your inputs, and regenerate. Pro users can also export proposals to share with a business partner or studio owner.
What does a complete strategy include?
A complete ShootRate strategy includes: a market rate benchmark for your city and specialty, a recommended session fee or day rate, package tier structure with suggested inclusions, price anchoring language, word-for-word objection responses (for "you're too expensive," "can you do it for less?", and similar), and a closing script for converting inquiries into bookings.
What's the difference between Free and Pro?
Free is a preview only. Pro is the working path for serious use. During the First 5 sprint, the important paid offer is the $29 Pricing Audit: one real quote-to-booking path reviewed for quote clarity, package fit, slow follow-up, price friction, or unclear next steps.
Can I cancel my Pro subscription?
Yes, anytime. No contracts, no cancellation fees. If you cancel, you keep access through the end of your billing period. After that, your account returns to the free tier — your saved proposals stay in your account.
Is there a money-back guarantee?
Yes. If you upgrade to Pro and don't find it useful within the first 14 days, contact us and we'll refund your first month — no questions asked.
Do you offer discounts for students?
We offer a reduced-rate plan for photography students and recent graduates. Email us at the contact page with proof of enrollment or graduation and we'll set you up with student pricing.
Will this actually help me make more money?
It depends on how you use it. ShootRate gives you the benchmark data to know if you're undercharging, the package structure to present your rates clearly, and the scripts to close bookings at those rates. Photographers who act on the strategy — by raising their rates and using the objection scripts — consistently report increases in average booking value. ShootRate gives you the tools; the results depend on putting them into practice.
What if I disagree with the suggested prices?
The output is a starting point, not a mandate. ShootRate shows you the market benchmark for your city and niche so you have real data to work from. From there, you can adjust based on your specific situation — your current client base, your portfolio strength, or your business goals. Use the benchmark as a reference, not a ceiling.
Can I use ShootRate for multiple photography specialties?
Yes. Many photographers shoot more than one specialty, and ShootRate can generate separate strategies for each. The First 5 Pricing Audit is broader than specialty pricing: it can focus on the real point where a lead is leaking before it becomes booked work.
We actually answer our email.
If your question isn't covered here, reach out directly. Response time is usually under 24 hours.
Contact us →Ready to stop guessing on pricing?
Free is limited preview only. The First 5 paid Pricing Audit is the conversion path.
Buy the Pricing Audit →Related reading for photographers
Keep the pricing decision moving.
Each step supports the same job: turn a vague client inquiry into a price, package, and proposal that feels easier to approve.
Have a real quote or package going out?
Pay $29, send one real quote, package, inquiry reply, or lead path, and get the first pricing or next-step leak to fix.