How much do wedding photographers cost?

Planning your dream wedding in 2024? Amidst the excitement and anticipation, budgeting is a crucial aspect that needs careful consideration. One significant investment that will preserve the cherished memories of your big day is your wedding photographer. But how much should you set aside for this essential service? When learning how much a wedding photographer costs you need to re-frame the question from “the average cost of a wedding photographer” to “what do I really want from a wedding photographer?”

When you ask that question instead, you begin to understand what value each photographer brings to you instead of just thinking about price.

I’ve been a wedding photographer for over 5 year and have had the immense honor of having photographed over 50+ weddings and counting. There are several different things to consider when it comes to wedding photography costs. From experience, location, deliverables but it all ultimately comes down to want you’re looking for from your wedding photography experience. As far as skill level is concerned you can expect 6 different levels.

Brand New: $0-$800

• Photographers who are just starting out. They have not shot a full wedding by themselves and are looking to build their initial portfolio. They will likely not be able to make you feel confident in their ability to perform at a wedding or deliver high quality images.

Beginner: $500-$1500

• They may have shot a wedding before or have helped photographed a few weddings as a second photographer. They can pull it off and know the general flow to a wedding day. However, they lack the ability to provide natural posing or other skills that provide a good experience. They most likely still use beginner level gear that provides below average quality for wedding photography. Bottom line is that they are still learning and we be learning while they photograph your wedding.

Amateur: $1500-$2500

• Most likely they have photographed a handful of weddings. They can pull off a wedding with okay experience and mid-level gear for decent images. But they are still developing their experience and style. Therefore, they don’t have a high demand hence why they’re available and can be booked at a lower price.

Growing Amateur: $3500-$4500

• This is where the majority of wedding photographers are. At this level they may still be part time, but beginning to invest in good gear, backups, education, and are refining their style. They have a good portfolio so you know they will get fairly consistent results and can give you a good experience. This is a good level for couples with a tighter budgets who still want quality work.

Professional: $4500-$6500

• Full-time photographers who are established with a solid in-demand style. At this level they focus on client experience to ensure that you not only get high quality images, but also that they help eliminate stress and anxiety for your wedding. I recommend this level to all couples who care deeply for high quality images and a top tier wedding experience. The is the level that I operate at for a majority of my weddings.

Luxury/Destination: $6500 Plus

• Some more seasoned professional may also start at $8k, $10k, or higher. These photographers have no issue handling high profile events with ease and have a refined style specifically for luxury events or destination weddings. I recommend this level to clients who are having a very large, luxurious wedding event with extravagant details or an international destination wedding.

Now obviously there are exceptions to these levels and when it comes to pricing. Sometimes full-time high-quality professional photographers may charge close to what a growing amateur does, but this list is meant to show you what the average photographer charges, based on what type of photographer they are.

That leads to the question you may be asking yourself now. What else goes into their pricing? Why is wedding photography so expensive (or so cheap?) There are several factors that go into how photographers price for weddings.

Other Factors That Influence Wedding Photographer Costs:

• Experience and Reputation: Seasoned photographers with established reputations and impressive portfolios typically command higher fees than newcomers. Their skillset and the demand for their services validate the premium.
• Location: Wedding photography costs can fluctuate significantly depending on where you’re getting married. Metropolitan areas like New York or Los Angeles tend to have higher average costs than smaller towns or rural locations.
• Package and Services: Most photographers offer an array of packages with different services and deliverables. A basic package may include a certain number of coverage hours and a specified number of edited digital images, while more comprehensive packages may encompass engagement shoots, albums, prints, and extended coverage. The more inclusive the package, the higher the cost.
• Wedding Date and Season: Popular wedding dates and peak seasons (typically spring and fall) can result in higher prices due to increased demand. If you’re flexible with your wedding date, contemplate a weekday or off-peak season wedding to potentially save on photography expenses.
• Style and Specialization: Some photographers specialize in specific styles or niche weddings, such as destination weddings or elopements. These specializations can influence their pricing.

Additional Costs to Account For

When budgeting for your wedding photography, remember that the wedding photographer’s cost may not encompass all potential expenses. So be sure to thoroughly look through the package options and ask your potential wedding photographer if you are unsure.

• Travel expenses: If your photographer needs to travel a substantial distance to your wedding venue, they might charge for travel costs, including transportation, accommodation, and meals.
• Second shooter: Many photographers offer the option of adding a second shooter to capture diverse angles and moments. This enhances your wedding album but increases the overall cost.
• Albums and prints: If you desire tangible albums or prints in addition to digital images, factor in these products’ costs when planning your budget.
• Sales tax: Remember to account for any applicable sales tax on your photography services depending on where you are located.

How Much Should You Invest in Wedding Photography?

Now we answer the question of how much you should actually invest. In essence, it boils down to a few questions you need to ask yourself.

1. How much do you care about your wedding photos and experience?
2. Are you having a standard wedding, luxury wedding, elopement, or destination wedding?
3. Where is your wedding? And would your photographer be traveling to photograph your day?
4. What about extra things like engagement sessions, prints, etc.?

Let me break down a few general scenarios I see couples in:

• If you’re having a standard wedding in a normal city (not a destination location) and care deeply about your images and experience, you should expect spend anywhere from $3000-$6000.

• If you’re having an elopement in the U.S. and care deeply about your images and experience, you should spend anywhere from $3000-$6000, and a little more if you want both photo and video.

• If you’re having an international destination wedding and care deeply about your images and experience, you should spend anywhere from $7000-$10,000. And that some photographers may charge and additional travel fee so be sure to ask and clarify before booking.

PRO TIP: If you want a photographer that is a little out of your budget, ask them about payment plans! Many photographers offer them to make it easier for you, including me. I know it’s a big investment, and so I usually split the total into 3 payments to make it more digestible.

Investing in Memories

While it’s understandable to be mindful of your wedding budget, remember that your wedding photographs are an investment in preserving the memories of your special day. Don’t hesitate to prioritize quality and select a photographer whose style and personality harmonize with you.

In the end, it’s not solely about the cost, but about finding the perfect photographer to narrate your unique love story through breathtaking images that you’ll treasure for a lifetime.

Be sure to research photographers thoroughly. Make sure their portfolio align with what you’re looking for and that you can see yourselves in their work. Read reviews and talk to them over Zoom or on a call. Remember that this is the person you’ll be spending most time with on your wedding day right next to your partner so you want to make sure you vibe and feel comfortable with them.

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