How much to invest in your Wedding Photography.
I’m pretty sure the “how much should we spend on a wedding photographer?” question has come up more than once in your wedding planning process. Actually, I’m 100% percent sure since… you’re reading this article!
We’ve all heard the story about the bride who got a friend of her cousins to do shoot her wedding for $500 and that other friend from college who let everyone know her photographer cost 20k. Pricing varies greatly depending on where you live and what you’re looking for. Don’t listen to magazines that come up with made up percentages or formulas - and try to avoid ‘helpful advice’ and horror stories from friends.
This post is meant to go hand in hand with my “How to choose your wedding photographer” guide. Make sure take a look after you finish this article. (Link at the bottom).
Why DO Wedding Photographers Charge so much?
You get what you pay for. When any professional excels at their job, value and demand rise alongside cost.
But what are you paying for, exactly?
In this article I’ll break down some of the basic aspects that shape the value of wedding photographers in different markets around the USA, and the influences that lead them to their pricing strategies.
After going through them you’ll get a better idea of the pricing in your area.
The 10% myth
Bridal magazines are a wealth of knowledge, good and bad! One myth that popped up several decades ago was that photography costs should be ten percent of your wedding. Another favorite is that the engagement ring should cost three months of your partners salary - I know more than a few brides who don’t agree with that one!
Much like your ring, your pictures will be with you forever and will symbolize your marriage. Especially in today’s society of posting and re-posting pictures, you want something timeless and precious. If you value having an amazing photographer that will provide lasting memories, chances are you’ll have to invest more than 10% of your budget. Now, I know I am slightly biased, but I firmly believe that your photos should be at the top of your priority. Believe me, in ten years when you post a gorgeous throw back anniversary photo - not a lot of people will remember your invitations or canapes.
My advice is to build your budget around the only things you’ll have after your day is over - your partner and your photos! Both of you should agree on a photographer that fits your vision of the day, who you can trust to interact intelligently with your family and of course - capture the moments you’ll be looking over the rest of your life.
Much like your ring, your pictures will be with you forever and will symbolize your marriage.
How Much Do Wedding Photographers Cost?
Anywhere between free (run!) and 20K (gulp!). However, for the majority of folks getting married - the actual number you should look at is between $3,000 and $7,000. I don’t recommend going below that (unless you are doing a shorter amount of time) and I DO recommend going above that if you can. There are a lot of factors that go into pricing. Let’s take a look at some of them.
Demand - the photographers that have carved out a following on social media platforms, constantly post beautiful photos, have high reviews - those folks don’t come cheap. But they do come with talent, recommendations and experience. New wedding photographers are not in demand because … they’re new! And risky. Wedding photographers charging 3,000 and up are doing so because they have the reviews and expertise to back it up.
Although weddings happen year round, peak months and weekends can be booked up to two years in advance. The best photographers will be booked early, or at least have open inquiries on dozens of dates. So when you reach out to photographers, be prepared to sign a contract as soon as possible.
Lifestyle - And by this, I don’t mean your lifestyle, but the wedding photographer you are considering. Are you hiring a married couple to do your photography? Congrats, you’re getting double the photographers for double the price! And if you have a married couple team with children, you absolutely need a back up. Kids get sick! Their first priority will be their family, so be aware of that and have a back up photographer clause in your contract. Most folks with kids will be prepared for this, because they’ve all been there.
Are you hiring a singleton? Then you have an individual with more flexibilities and might be open to work within your budget. If you’re considering someone from out of town, delayed travel must be taken into account. Prices may go up, because ideally they should plan to be there a day in advance, just in case. ‘Just in cases’ can add up!
Location - Naples, Florida is gonna be pricier than Naples, Utah but not as expensive as Naples, Italy. If you’re in a rural area, you may be able to find an established wedding photographer for less than 3k. But if you’re in New York or Miami, expect to pay the premium tied to that area.
It’s not more money for the sake of being more - price is tied to your photographer supporting a living. Rent in New York averages 2500. A mortgage in Alabama might only be 500. These things will affect the pricing package a photographer offers. Destination weddings are a whole other ball game - the choice is looking at someone local, vs flying in your ideal photographer.
Expertise - Look, we understand your friend of a friend worked at Glamour Shots and is willing to give you a deal but… do they understand the nature of a full wedding day? Do they have the best equipment? Do they know how to handle crazy family members? Can they wrangle a 70 person picture?
A new wedding photographer will charge less because they are looking to establish themselves - and you are assuming that risk. Believe me, peace of mind is the most important thing you can have on your day! You want to trust all your vendors to provide smooth, knowledgeable service. If your budget demands working with a few new vendors - your photographer should not be on that list! These are the memories you will have and hold for a lifetime. Don’t risk it!
Experience - see above. Remember - these photos are forever! Your flowers are five hours! However, viral wedding horror photos/stories are also forever.
Photography is a hobby that anyone with an Iphone can have. Wedding photography is profession requiring thousands of dollars in equipment and knowledge of not only portrait photography, but basically all kinds of photography. You want someone who knows how to handle time delays, inclement weather, drunk family members and all the other delights that come with your wedding day. Photographers with multiple weddings under their belt will charge more because they have earned the skills to work with all obstacles to provide you the perfect photos.
Style - Wedding photographers with an editorial, magazine style will be more expensive. They may also want to be more involved with the details in the photo if having an eye-catching post on instagram is just as important to them as providing the photos you want. I have a few friends in this arena who will want to approve of the dress, tuxes and details in the photo. That might be an extreme, but if you like photos that are more edited, colorful, whited out - these trends will come with a heftier price tag.
Packages - Most photographers will offer a few different packages with varying time commitments, extras and other add on’s that will affect price. Do you want coverage for the rehearsal dinner? A second shooter? Is your wedding 8 hrs from start to finish or 6? Obviously, the more you want, the pricier it gets. But in this, price directly equates to the photos you are delivered. Personally, I really try to talk my brides out of just shooting the wedding. I want to tell a story of that day, from getting ready and first look to the grand exit.
CONCLUSION
So, after breaking down the aspects that affect pricing, how much does wedding photography cost?
Like anything - the value is what you are willing to pay. And what a couple is willing to pay should be based on the value of the photographers reputation, the quality of their photos, reviews, personality and what they bring to your day.
For some it might be $500. For others $5k or even $50k.
I’ve said it before and I’ll keep saying it: your pictures are the most important item you will walk away from your wedding day with - besides your spouse! Pick a professional that will preserve your memories and provide an heirloom for generations to come.
Be sure to check out “How to choose your Wedding Photographer” guide next to get an even better inside on finding your ideal wedding photographer!