Instagram reels cost in Dubai 2026
By Tasweer studio team · Last updated · 6 min read
TL;DR
- Instagram reels in Dubai start at AED 2,000 for 6 edited reels from a half-day shoot, about AED 333 per reel, excl. 5% VAT, delivered in 5 working days.
- Signature is AED 5,000 for 15 reels plus story sets from a full-day shoot, still about AED 333 per reel.
- A monthly retainer with planning, a shoot day and edits every month is AED 9,500 per month.
- Cost is driven by number of reels, shoot length, scripting, talent, locations and editing complexity.
- Shooting a month of content in one day is the cheapest way to stay consistent.
Instagram reels in Dubai cost from AED 2,000 for 6 edited reels shot in a half-day at our Dubai studio or your space, which is about AED 333 per reel (excl. 5% VAT). Signature delivers 15 reels plus story sets for AED 5,000, and a monthly retainer is AED 9,500. Standard delivery is 5 working days.
How much do Instagram reels cost in Dubai?
Our Instagram reels packages cost AED 2,000, AED 5,000 or AED 9,500 per month, which works out at about AED 333 per reel on the two fixed packages. All prices are in AED and exclude 5% VAT.
| Package | Price (excl. VAT) | What you get | Approx. per reel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | AED 2,000 | 6 edited reels up to 30 seconds, half-day shoot | AED 333 |
| Signature ★ | AED 5,000 | 15 reels + story sets, full-day shoot, scripted hooks | AED 333, with stories on top |
| Heirloom | AED 9,500 per month | Monthly retainer: shoot day, calendar, reels, stories and stills | Depends on monthly volume |
Including VAT, Essential is AED 2,100 and Signature AED 5,250. Full details are on our social media reels and stories page.
We have not quoted a market range for reels in Dubai. Published prices are rare, and what we found online was mostly freelancer day rates and job adverts rather than client prices for finished reels, which are not comparable. When comparing quotes, ask how many finished, edited reels you receive and whether scripting, captions and crops are included.
What is included in each reels package?
Every package includes shooting, editing, on-screen text and exports for the feed. The difference is how many reels you get and how much planning we do for you.
| Included | Essential | Signature ★ | Heirloom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edited reels | 6, up to 30s each | 15 | Every month |
| Story sets | No | Yes | Yes |
| Shoot length | Half day | Full day | Monthly shoot day |
| Location | Our studio or your space | Our studio or your space | Planned monthly |
| Hooks and scripting | Hook-first edits from your brief | Content plan and scripted hooks | Content calendar and scripting |
| Crops | 9:16 | 9:16, cover frames and 4:5 crops | 9:16, 4:5 and stills |
| Delivery | 5 working days | 5 working days | Priority 48-hour edits |
Every package also includes a pre-shoot brief, backup gear on set, colour grading and a private gallery for delivery, with a cloud and offline archive for 24 months.
What drives the cost of reels?
The number of finished reels and the length of the shoot drive most of the cost, followed by talent, locations and editing complexity.
| Cost driver | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Number of reels | Each reel is planned, cut, captioned and exported separately |
| Shoot length | A half day suits one set-up; a full day allows several looks and locations |
| Scripting and hooks | Writing and planning time before the shoot |
| Talent | Models, creators or presenters are quoted up front, with usage |
| Locations | Each move costs shoot time; some locations need permission |
| Editing style | Motion graphics, sound design and heavy text take longer than clean cuts |
| Turnaround | Faster edits need priority scheduling |
| Product prep | Food styling, garment steaming or product cleaning add set time |
Do reels for TikTok and Instagram cost the same?
Yes. Both use the same 9:16 vertical format, so one shoot covers Instagram Reels, TikTok and YouTube Shorts. What changes is the edit: on-screen text placement, caption style and length can differ by platform. Tell us where each reel will run and we export versions accordingly.
Are stories priced separately?
On Essential, the package is reels only. Signature adds story sets, which are shot on the same day from the same set-ups, so they add little to the cost. If you mainly post stories, for example daily offers for a restaurant or salon, the monthly retainer is usually better value, because it plans stories, reels and stills together every month.
Is it cheaper to batch-shoot reels?
Yes. Shooting a month of content in one day spreads the set-up cost across every reel, which is why Signature's 15 reels cost the same per reel as Essential's 6 while adding story sets and scripting. A single reel shot on its own would carry the full set-up cost alone.
A good batch day looks like this:
- Plan 12 to 15 ideas around your products, offers and FAQs.
- Group them by set and outfit so changes are minimal.
- Shoot the hooks first, while energy is high.
- Capture extra B-roll for stories and future edits.
If you sell physical products, pairing reels with a 360° spin or product video gives you motion for both social and marketplace listings.
Do you need permits or licences for reels in Dubai?
It depends on where you shoot. Commercial content filmed in public places, at landmarks or at government-managed locations generally needs a Dubai Film and TV Commission (DFTC) permit, applied for through a licensed production company, plus the location owner's permission. Private venues such as malls, hotels and restaurants set their own rules, and drone footage has separate aviation rules. Shoots in our Dubai studio take place on our own premises.
We check what applies before any location shoot, and rules can change, so treat this as general guidance rather than legal advice. Our guide to photography permits in Dubai explains the rules in detail, with official sources.
Planning a launch or conference recap video? See our guide to event photography cost in Dubai.
How do you brief a reels shoot?
Send us your goal, your audience and three reels you like, and we turn them into a shot list. A useful brief covers:
- Goal: awareness, launches, sales or bookings.
- Products or services to feature, in priority order.
- Tone: polished, playful, educational or behind-the-scenes.
- Who appears: founder, staff, cast talent or hands only.
- Language: English, Arabic or both for on-screen text.
- Where it will run: Instagram, TikTok, paid ads or all three.
Send your brief through the quote form and you get a firm quote the same day on WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions
How much does one Instagram reel cost in Dubai?
In our packages, a reel works out at about AED 333 (AED 2,000 for 6 reels, or AED 5,000 for 15 reels plus story sets). We do not sell single reels, because the shoot set-up is the same whether you make one or six. Prices exclude 5% VAT.
How long does it take to get reels back?
Essential reels are delivered within 5 working days of the shoot. The monthly retainer includes priority 48-hour edits.
Do you provide models or creators for reels?
Yes. We cast male, female, kids or hands-only talent, with fees quoted up front. Many brands also feature their founders or staff.
Can you shoot at our shop or restaurant?
Yes. Essential is a half-day shoot at our Dubai studio or your space, and Signature is a full day. Locations outside Dubai are quoted up front.
Do you write the scripts and hooks?
Signature includes a content plan with scripted hooks, and the monthly retainer includes a content calendar and scripting. On Essential, edits are hook-first with on-screen text, based on your brief.
Who owns the reels?
You get a commercial usage licence for your own channels. If you plan to use the reels in paid ads or with talent in specific markets, tell us so talent usage can be quoted correctly.
Sources
Marketplace rules and regulations change. We review this guide regularly; check the source before you rely on a detail.
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