How to Pick a Wedding Photographer

How much should I budget for a wedding photographer?

When hiring a wedding photographer, it is important to compare the costs of different photographers. Wedding photographers can range in price from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. The level of experience of the photographer is also an important factor to consider. A photographer who has been in business for many years may charge more than a new photographer, but they will likely have more experience and be able to provide a higher quality product.

Quality of Wedding Photos

It is also important to consider the quality of the work when hiring a wedding photographer. A photographer who has won awards or been featured in magazines is likely to provide high-quality work. A photographer who has a lot of positive reviews from previous clients is also likely to provide high-quality work.

Wedding photography is an important investment. The photos taken on your wedding day will be cherished memories that will last a lifetime. Hiring a high-quality wedding photographer will ensure that you have beautiful photos to look back on for years to come.

The Elephant In The Room: Why are Wedding Photographers So Expensive?

It’s no secret that weddings can be expensive. The average wedding costs over $30,000, and that’s not even counting the cost of the honeymoon. But have you ever wondered why wedding photographers are so expensive?

Running a Business is EXPENSIVE

There are a few reasons for this. First, wedding photography is a business. Like any business, there are costs associated with running a wedding photography business. These costs include things like equipment, software, marketing, and website fees. We personally spend a few thousand a year on software alone! And cameras are also super expensive. We require our team to have at least two camera bodies ($3000-$5000 each), and 3 lenses ($1500+ each). That’s about $15,000 in gear for a single photographer. And normally, we have two photographers from our team to document weddings. That’s a LOT of investment that is required to even start doing any work.

Competition and Solopreneurship

Second, wedding photography is a very competitive market. There are a lot of talented photographers out there vying for the attention of couples planning their big day. As a result, prices for wedding photography services tend to be higher than for other types of photography. Also, a lot of photographers are solopreneurs – which means they can only shoot one wedding (Generally, per weekend). Which means they can take a MAXIMUM of 52 weddings a year. When you do the math it’s actually not that great. Most photographers shoot 15-20 weddings a year. At $3,000 each, that’s only $60,000. Which might sound like a lot, but between expenses and taxes, a photographer is lucky to take home HALF of that. $30,000 a year for full time work. Not very lucrative right? That’s why, at least where we are, wedding photographers are on average $4000+.

Us as a studio, we operate a little differently. Yes we start at $3500 for coverage but we actually have a team of photographers. So we are able to document more weddings every year than most. With a team of 6 – we actually document up to 100 weddings a year!

Behind the Scenes Labor

Third, wedding photography requires a lot of time and effort. A typical wedding shoot can last 8 hours or more, and that’s not including the time spent editing the photos afterwards. Wedding photographers need to be prepared for anything that might happen on the big day, which takes a lot of planning and effort. We spend about 20 hours editing every wedding gallery we shoot, too. There’s a lot that goes into wedding photography that couples don’t see.

Different Types of Pricing Depending On Experience:

Novice: <$2,500

They likely have never shot a wedding before, or have only shot a few. They might not have liability insurance or backup gear. These are budget photographers and the final product you recieve may wildly vary. The likelihood is that their work is inconsistent style-wise, and they are “playing things by ear”. There are exceptions to this rule, of course.

Moderately Experienced: $2,500+

They are more experienced and probably have backup gear and insurance. They likely have a solid style at this point and are able to comfortably shoot weddings.

Experienced Professionals: $4,000+

These are very experienced photographers who will have multiple backup cameras, insurance, and likely a strong online presence. They are very trustworthy and have a track record of providing great photos to clients. Likely booked out at least a year in advance. They are incredibly experienced and are trustworthy to do a great job with photos that reflect their portfolio.

Luxury: $7,000+

There are some photographers who will often charge upwards of $10,000 for a wedding. These are usually celebrities or well-known professionals who can command a high price. They often only take on a few clients a year.

How to Save Money on Wedding Photography:

Get a package deal! Most photographers offer different wedding photography packages that you can choose from. If you’re on a budget, opt for a package that includes fewer hours of coverage or a smaller number of prints. Like us – we offer both 6 and 8-hour packages to our couples. The difference in cost between the two can be more than a thousand dollars!

How to Pick a Wedding Photographer

There are a few things you should consider when choosing a wedding photographer:

-First, decide what kind of style you are looking for. Do you want traditional posed photos, or more candid shots?

-Second, consider your budget. How much are you willing to spend on a photographer? How important are your memories to you?

-Third, take a look at the photographer’s portfolio. Do you like their style?

-Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for referrals. Talk to friends and family who have used a wedding photographer before, and see if they have any recommendations.

Final Thoughts

Picking a wedding photographer is a big decision, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. Just take some time to do your research, and you’ll be sure to find the perfect photographer for your big day.

Finally, wedding photography is an investment. Your wedding photos will be cherished memories that you will look back on for years to come. Investing in a quality wedding photographer is worth it!

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Did you find this helpful and are looking for your own wedding photographer? We document weddings all across California, Nevada and Destinations Worldwide. We’d love to chat about your wedding and see if we’re a good fit!

See if we’re available for your wedding