Photography business · Payments
Photography payment schedule calculator.
Set the total, deposit and number of instalments, and get a dated payment schedule that ends before the event.
Inputs
Result
Enter your numbers.
How this is calculated
Deposit = total x deposit percent. The balance is split into equal payments, spaced evenly between the booking date and the final due date, with the final payment due the number of days you set before the event. Rounding is settled in the final payment so the schedule adds up to the total to the cent.
Worked example. A $3,000 wedding booked on 2026-10-01 for 2027-06-12, with a 30% deposit, one middle instalment and the final payment 30 days before the event. Deposit: $900.00 on 2026-10-01. The remaining $2,100.00 is split in two: $1,050.00 on 2027-01-21 and $1,050.00 on 2027-05-13. Total: $3,000.00.
Frequently asked questions
How much deposit should a photographer ask for?
There is no fixed rule. Many photographers take a non-negotiable retainer at booking to hold the date. Set the percent in your own contract and enter it here.
When should the final payment be due?
Before the event is common, so you are not chasing money after delivering photos. Enter the number of days before the event that suits your contract.
Is a deposit refundable?
That depends on your contract and local consumer law, which this tool does not cover. State the policy in your contract.
Does the schedule include tax?
No. Enter a total that already includes any sales tax you charge, or calculate tax separately.
Sources
Checked
No published standard sets deposit percents, so this page cites none. Dates and amounts are arithmetic on the values you enter.
Runs entirely in your browser. Nothing you type is sent or stored.
Estimate
Estimate based on the numbers you enter. It is not financial, tax or legal advice. Check deposit and refund terms with your own contract and local consumer rules.