GST invoice template for photographers
A photographer's invoice usually tells a small story: a booking advance weeks before the shoot, the shoot day itself, then edits and an album months later. Because the money and the work are spread across time, getting the dates and advance adjustments right matters more here than in almost any other trade.
This template covers a wedding or event shoot with a booking advance already adjusted, a line for edited deliverables and an optional printed album. It uses SAC 998383 (event photography and videography) at 18%. For portraits and commercial shoots, swap in 998381 or 998382.
Example photographer invoice
Rohan Mehta Photography bills Kapoor Wedding Planners for ₹1,01,000.00 before tax. The seller is in Gujarat and the client is in Rajasthan, so the whole ₹18,180.00 of GST is charged as IGST. The invoice total is ₹1,19,180.00.
| # | Description | HSN/SAC | Qty | Rate | Taxable | GST | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wedding photography – 2 days, 2 photographers | 998383 | 2 | 40,000.00 | 80,000.00 | 18% | 94,400.00 |
| 2 | Edited gallery: 600 images, online delivery | 998383 | 1 | 12,000.00 | 12,000.00 | 18% | 14,160.00 |
| 3 | Printed album, 40 pages, premium cover | 998386 | 1 | 9,000.00 | 9,000.00 | 18% | 10,620.00 |
| GST slab | Taxable | IGST |
|---|---|---|
| 18% | 1,01,000.00 | 18,180.00 |
Notes: Booking advance of ₹30,000 received on 12 Aug. Balance payable before the event.
Terms: Payment due within 15 days of invoice date.
SAC codes photographers commonly use
| Code | What it covers |
|---|---|
| 998383 | Event photography and event videography |
| 998381 | Portrait photography |
| 998382 | Advertising and related photography (product, catalogue) |
| 998386 | Photographic processing and album services |
These are commonly used headings, not legal advice. Confirm the best fit with your accountant, and read our HSN vs SAC guide for how to choose.
What to get right on a photographer invoice
- Show the advance and balance. Print the advance received (with its date) and the balance due. Clients and auditors both want to see how the total was reached, and it proves you charged GST on the advance.
- Be exact about deliverables. "500 edited images in an online gallery, 1 printed album (40 pages)" avoids the classic "I thought I'd get every frame" dispute.
- Charge travel and assistants clearly. Travel, accommodation and second-shooter fees belong on their own lines. If the client pays them directly, say so in the notes so nobody pays twice.
- Raw files are a separate product. If you hand over unedited RAW files, price them as a separate line. It is a different asset with different resale risk.
How photographers usually bill
Weddings and events are priced per package with a booking amount (often 30–50%) and the balance before or on the event day. Commercial photographers price per day or per image, with usage rights built into the rate.
The place of supply decides the tax type: Gujarat to Rajasthan is an inter-state supply (IGST). See CGST vs SGST vs IGST for the full rules, or see how invoicing works in Gujarat.
Photographer invoice FAQs
Is GST applicable on wedding photography?
Yes. Photography services are taxable at 18% once you are registered. A freelancer below the ₹20 lakh threshold is not required to register or to charge GST, but must then issue a bill of supply or a plain invoice without tax.
How do I show an advance on a GST invoice?
Issue a receipt voucher for the advance, then on the final tax invoice show the full value and deduct the advance already received. GST on the advance is payable in the month it is received.
Can I invoice a client in another state?
Yes. If the client is in a different state from you, charge IGST instead of CGST + SGST. For event photography, place of supply follows the venue of the event in many cases, so check where the event actually happens.