1. **State the problem:** Emma wants to find the number of hours $h$ for which the total cost of hiring the local photographer equals the total cost of hiring the out-of-town student. 2. **Set up the equation:** - Local photographer charges $120$ per hour, so total cost is $120h$. - Out-of-town student charges $75$ per hour plus a $90$ travel fee, so total cost is $75h + 90$. We want to find $h$ such that: $$120h = 75h + 90$$ 3. **Solve the equation:** Subtract $75h$ from both sides: $$120h - 75h = 90$$ $$45h = 90$$ Divide both sides by $45$: $$h = \frac{90}{45} = 2$$ 4. **Interpretation:** The photo session needs to last **2 hours** for the total cost to be the same for both photographers.