How much does a Wedding Photographer Cost?
Or maybe a better question is…
How much should I spend on Wedding Photography?
I’m assuming if you are on this page you are most likely engaged! So let me start by saying CONGRATULATIONS! This is such an exciting time for you. Whether you’re in the beginning stages or you have already booked most of your vendors, budget is always an important factor! I hope this article equips you with the knowledge to make the best decision for your big day!
If you have shopped around at all for wedding photography pricing, you may have seen that it can range anywhere from $0 if you use a family friend, to $20,000+. The range is pretty large! It can be hard to decide what YOU should pay for wedding photography. Below we will go over a few factors you should consider during your search for the perfect photographer. So lets get straight to it!
How Much Does a Wedding Photographers cost on average?
Many newly engaged couples have no idea what Wedding Photography even costs.
As I stated above, it can be anywhere from $0-$20k, or more.
There are just so many factors at play that determine how much you’ll need to pay for a wedding photographer and videographer.
The first thing a couple must decide is the value that they really want and that they will be happy with in the long run! Then after that, determining their price range.
Why can Wedding Photography Cost so much or so little?
Well, you get what you pay for, to put it simply.
Below, I’ll talk about some of the different ways photographers choose their pricing all over the united states!
There isn’t a one size fits all answer, but hopefully this will help you get a good idea of the pricing in your area.
LOCATION
Pricing often varies based on your location. If the cost of living is higher, there is a good change wedding photography will be higher too. For example, if you live in LA where the cost of living is double that of somewhere like Texas, you might pay an average starting price of $8,000 vs $4,000 for a similar photographer or videographer.
STYLE
Every photographer has their own style!
When I say style, I am referring to how a photographer edits their images. Common styles you may have heard of are “bright and airy” and “dark and moody” but these are pretty broad and there are all kinds of edits between! Having a photographer with the style you desire can play a very important factor in pricing.
Expertise vs. Experience
Both expertise and experience are extremely valuable! Though experience alone does not make a photographer great, one who has shot hundreds of weddings will have a much better idea of how to work out various tough situations that can arise during a wedding. This can really add value to your day and having a photographer with a lot of experience can take a good deal of stress off of your big day. Expertise on the other hand deals more with the photographers skill. This can be knowing how to shoot in various lighting situations to working well with coordinators and other vendors. A good way to get a better picture of a photographers experience and expertise is to check reviews and see what what past clients have to say! Another way to judge a photographer’s expertise is to ask to see full galleries. Often times you only see highlights of a wedding day, while a full gallery will give you a better idea of how a photographer handles different lighting situations.
What is included in THEIR Package
Some photographers have basic packages that include almost nothing in addition to the actual day of photography while others like to include amenities like engagement sessions or albums.
Base packages vs. all inclusive packages can range greatly in pricing but can often add great value to your photographic experience. Important things to look for are:
Do they include or offer a heirloom quality album?
Do they include an engagement session or bridal session?
Do they include a timeline review or creation?
Do they offer videography?
Bundling all of these things into one package may seem like a high number, but it can save you quite a bit in the long run!
Average Wedding Photography Costs In the Dallas Area.
This is just a general example of base prices typically seen in the Dallas, Tx area.
•$0-500 (Just starting and probably has not shot many weddings, usually a family friend)
•$500-1200 (Has shot a few weddings but still charging lower prices to get more weddings under their belt)
•$1000-2000 (Probably photographs weddings fairly regularly, may not have a high demand due to style, may not be considered full-time)
•$3500+ (typically considered full-time professionals, have the demand based on style, expertise, etc.)
These are general starting price ranges. Add videography in and it’s a whole different story! Keep reading!
How much does a videographer cost for a wedding?
Just like wedding photography, wedding videography can vary quite a bit in price. However, to give an idea, starting prices are very similar to the starting prices of photography. You may be thinking, is a videographer worth it if it doubles my cost? It is my personal opinion that videography is extremely underrated. A highlight film brings a whole different way to remember your wedding day. Below you can watch a sneak peek video I created of Verity and Brian’s first look. There’s just something a video captures that photos do not.
One way to save a little money is to find a company that bundles Photography and Videography in one! Many times these bundles can save you up to 50% on the videography side.
IN CONCLUSION
Hopefully this article has helped you understand a little more about photography and videography pricing! I know it can be a lot to take in!
In the end, both Wedding Photography and Videography are worth whatever you’re willing to invest. Budgeting with preserving your memories in mind and working with a photographer and videographer that has the style you love, includes the things you are looking for in their packages, has great reviews, and the experience and expertise to back it up, can save you a lot of time, stress, and money!
This is the biggest day of your life full of memories you will look back on forever! It should be captured beautifully!
As always, feel free to reach out to me at any point for more information! Thanks for reading!