How Much Does a Wedding Photographer Cost
Cost of Professional Wedding Photographer
Having a professional photographer is a crucial part of your wedding. Saving those precious memories from your ceremony and reception are absolutely priceless so if you’re going to go all out on anything, spending the extra money on a good photographer is more than worth it. After decades of marriage, memories will begin to fade but photos won’t; reliving one of the best days of your life twenty years down the road in crisp detail will only be possible with a professional wedding photographer.
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Factors of Cost
The quality of photos you will end up with along with the number of shots you will receive all depends on the amount of money you are willing to spend. If you are on a budget, the least expensive wedding photographer you will be able to find is going to cost between $500 and $1,200. If you’re having a higher end wedding and want to really splurge on an amazing photograph and videographer, it could cost anywhere from $2,800 up to as high as $5,000.
The difference between a $500 photographer and a $5,000 photographer is drastic so be sure you know what you’re getting with your package. Some of the factors that affect the total price of your photographer include the number of hours they attend, the number of photos the take, the number of copies you receive, the size and number of prints you receive, and the extent of edits that they make. An excellent photographer that is also a pro at Photoshop will be more expensive than a great photographer who does little to no editing.
What’s Included
Months before the wedding, the bridge and groom will meet with their photographer and decide what they want included in their package. Most packages are custom so you can pretty much decide exactly how much you want to spend with the photographer of your choosing. Some of the options you can choose are pre-ceremony shots, ceremony videography, bridal party shots, and reception photos.
Additional Costs
Depending on where your photographer is located and where your wedding venue is, the photographer may charge an extra fee for travel. It’s a good idea to inquire about that ahead of time so you don’t have any extra surprises in the end. There are also usually substantial extra fees for additional hours of shooting time. Most photographers will offer a 5 hours package and if you need an extra hour, you’re looking at spending an extra $100-$200.
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Ways to Save
A great way to save a few hundred dollars is to shop around! Talk to different studios along with comparing packages and portfolios. There’s a good chance by the third or fourth photographer you speak to, you’ll be able to find someone with talent at a good price. Another way to save a bit of money is choosing a smaller package that doesn’t include prints or videography. Chances are you will receive all the shots on a disc so you will be able to print them out at your own convenience for much cheaper than a photographer would charge.
