Companies have a number of different uses for photography. They need images for marketing, from advertising to social media, and there is always room for a new image on the company website. There are also internal articles as well that require images, and of course, there are all sorts of different pictorial needs, such as documenting awards and celebrities. These events require commercial photographers; they are important events that require the best photographers to get everything right. There are a number of concerns that go into properly pricing a project that should be considered when looking at a photographer.
Things to Keep In Mind
When it comes down to it, a photographer is not going to be cheap. While you could use an employee with a camera, that employee is not likely to have access to all of the equipment and software that a professional photographer does, nor the talent and experience of a seasoned photographer. Also, an employee is going to be more worried about company politics than getting the best picture; that will interfere with getting the best picture. In short, the professional photographer is generally going to have better gear, more experienced, and a certain detachment that is going to make for better photographs, and that means that commercial photography pricing will be commensurate and well worth it.
Other Considerations
Two other issues worth considering are the setting and the event. A sitting will usually cost less than an event; the photographer has more control over the situation and can take the time to get everything right. All of that means that he will take less time to get the shots ready. An event, however, requires that the photographer will be looking for opportune moments during the event, which means not only the target of the event but also events happening on the side; that means that there will be more time spent working on getting the pictures right later on. Thus, if the event is relatively static and controlled then the price may be less than if the event is chaotic and requires a lot of work later on.
In short, commercial photography pricing depends on the size of the project and how much control the photographer has over it. The cost is well worth it, especially if your company is looking for the best possible image for their company. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide who you want to take your pictures, but you should consider a professional before anyone else.