A vetted Pattaya photographer with edited delivery costs 2,500–6,000 THB per hour (~$70–175 USD) — typically the most affordable major Thai destination after Bangkok. Most travellers spend 5,000–10,000 THB ($145–290) for a 90-minute to 2-hour session.
Real 2026 pricing
| Tier | Hourly (THB) | Hourly (USD) | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beach Road touts | 800–1,500 | $25–45 | Avoid — phone-only, no editing |
| Entry pro | 2,500–4,000 | $70–115 | 30–50 photos, 1 location |
| Mid-tier vetted | 4,000–5,500 | $115–160 | 60–100 photos, 2 locations |
| Premium | 5,500–8,500 | $160–245 | Editorial, 2–3 locations |
| Koh Larn boat shoots | 9,000–18,000 | $260–520 | Includes boat charter |
What's included
A fair Pattaya package includes:
- Pre-shoot planning (locations, tides, outfits)
- 1–3 hours of shooting
- Edited delivery via online gallery in 5–10 days
- Personal usage rights
- Travel within central Pattaya/Jomtien area
What's usually NOT included:
- Speedboat to Koh Larn (3,500–6,000 THB private charter)
- Sanctuary of Truth entry (500 THB per person)
- Nong Nooch Garden entry (500 THB)
- Drone (1,500–3,000 THB extra, licensed only)
- Same-day rush delivery (+30%)
Why Pattaya is cheaper than Phuket
Three reasons:
- More photographers per traveller — supply is high
- Shorter distances — most spots are within 15 minutes of each other
- Lower overhead — local cost of living is lower than Phuket/Bangkok
Koh Larn — the special case
Sunset on Koh Larn requires a private speedboat (public ferries stop too early). A 2-hour private boat for 4–6 people runs 3,500–6,000 THB. Add the photographer (~4,500 THB for 90 min) and you're looking at 8,000–11,000 THB ($230–315) all-in for a couple/small group.
Sample real bookings (Pattaya, 2026)
- Couple, 90-min Pattaya Viewpoint + Beach Road: 5,500 THB, 70 edited photos
- Family of 4, 2-hour morning at Nong Nooch + Sanctuary: 7,500 THB, 100 photos
- Solo, 60-min sunset at Buddha Mountain: 4,000 THB, 40 photos
- Engagement, 2-hour Koh Larn sunset with boat: 11,000 THB, 130 photos
- Pre-wedding, 4 hours, 3 locations: 18,500 THB, 220 photos
How to avoid overpaying
- Skip Beach Road photographers — touts charge 50–100% over market for unedited delivery
- Get a sample gallery before paying
- Confirm delivery time in writing — verbal promises are unreliable
- Pay 30–50% deposit, balance on delivery
- Book through a platform with verified reviews
Tipping
Not expected. 300–800 THB after a good session is a generous gesture and rarely refused.
Ready to book
See live rates in our Pattaya photographer directory — all photographers are reference-checked and pricing is published upfront.