Wedding Photography Cost - How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Wedding Photographer?
Wedding photographers offer unique memories that last a lifetime—but they’re not cheap. Depending on your preferences and location, the average photography package costs upward of $500. Albums, canvases, and metallic prints add to that cost even more.
A former AP photojournalist, Samoilova captures a day’s events with a sense of story and an eye for detail. Full-day packages start at $5,000.
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[*]Photographer’s Fee
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The photographer’s fee is a big part of your wedding photography cost. Photographers need to make a profit in order to keep their business running and to pay things like taxes, insurance, equipment, software, education/improvements, and other business expenses.
In addition, photographers have to invest time in marketing and promoting themselves in order to attract potential clients. Many photographers also have other business expenses that need to be paid such as website hosting fees, printing costs, and administrative costs.
Lastly, photographers may have additional expenses that are passed on to their clients such as the cost of hiring an assistant or a second shooter for a larger wedding. Additionally, there are often delivery and shipping charges for the final products such as albums and digital files.
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[*]Photographer’s Travel Expenses
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Travel expenses can add up quickly. If your wedding is more than three hours from where the photographer is based, you may have to pay a per-mile fee or cover airfare and accommodations. This is especially true if you’re getting married at a destination location.
Some photographers include travel expenses in their packages, but others will charge a flat rate. This way, they can be transparent about the cost of your wedding photography.
If you’re hiring a photographer who doesn’t have package options, it’s best to ask about their travel rates and how they determine them. Then, you can plan accordingly. Finding the right photographer is an investment in your future, so it’s important to make sure you know what to expect before booking.
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[*]Photographer’s Equipment
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Photographers use a lot of equipment, and it can be expensive. They may need to purchase new gear, and they also need to keep their old equipment in good condition. They may have to pay for storage or insurance costs, and they may need extra memory cards and a flash unit.
Most photographers have assistants to help them set up lighting and to carry cameras around. They will need to pay for their assistants’ fees, and these are usually included in the price of the photography package.
Many couples want a second photographer to capture more angles of the wedding. This adds to the cost, but it is worth it in the long run. You will be able to have more variety of photos and have the peace of mind that all moments are covered.
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[*]Photographer’s Editing Expenses
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The time and labor that goes into editing and retouching photos can cost a lot. Photographers have to make sure that all of their images look professional. This means that they must spend time retouching, resizing, and optimizing each photo for print and web use.
Additionally, photographers have to pay for post-production software and services that help them edit and finish their work. They also have to pay for marketing and advertising expenses, which they pass on to their clients.
When selecting a wedding photographer, find one who has a diverse portfolio that demonstrates their ability to take a wide range of photos. Additionally, ask them about their pricing and packages to see if they offer curated collections that fit within your budget. Finally, don’t be afraid to negotiate with your photographer.
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[*]Photographer’s Album Expenses
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A professional wedding album is expensive to produce. They require custom design software and are printed on high-quality paper (often a ream costs $500).
Photographers have to make a profit on their albums in order to pay their mortgages, insurance and other expenses. They also have to invest in a digital file system that allows them to print photos at the highest quality.
Many photographers will offer a USB stick of post-processed images after the wedding, but these are not as high-quality as an album. A wedding album can cost over $1,000 and represents a significant portion of the average photography package price. A photographer’s pricing reflects their expertise and the value of their work. They can charge more if they have a reputation or brand name, or if they have a unique style.