As you’re planning your wedding, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is hiring a photographer and videographer. If you have a budget in mind, it’s important to know how much other couples are spending on their photographers and videographers. But what should you expect to pay? In this post, we’ll share some of our industry research on average costs for wedding photographers and videographers so that you can determine what’s best for your own special day.
Average Cost for Wedding Photography and Videography Packages
According to a study, the average cost of a wedding photographer in the U.S. is $2,780. The survey asked thousands of couples who were married during a particular year how much they spent on their wedding photographers and videographers. The average cost for wedding photography and videography packages is $3,921. The average cost for wedding photographers is about $2,780, while the average cost for videographers ranges from $1,000 to $20,000+ with an average of $5,601.
How much do you tip a wedding photographer?
Should you tip your wedding photographer or videographer?
The standard rule is to tip 15% of the total cost, which should be paid before the wedding date. The tip should be in cash, and you should give it directly to your photographer or videographer, not through an intermediary such as a reception venue where they may have set up shop for the evening.
What to Include in Your Wedding Photographer Contract
A contract is the most important part of hiring your wedding photographer and videographer. There are several things you should include in the contract to protect yourself, your photographers, and your guests. You need to consider questions like;
How much time does the photographer have access to my wedding?
Will they be able to use any of my photos for their portfolio or other marketing purposes? Can I see a sample of their work before we sign anything?
Can they show me their portfolio before signing anything? What kinds of photos do they specialize in shooting (i.e., action shots, traditional posed photos)?
Can they take candid shots as well as more posed ones? If so, how many additional hours will it cost me if I want those types of photos taken at my reception venue instead of at an outside location like a park or beach nearby.
What Questions Should I Ask My Wedding Photographer?
- How many hours of coverage are you providing?
- How many photographers will be there?
- Will you be using any backdrops or props that I need to provide, or will you do your best to use what is already in the venue (furniture, wall art)?
- What type of equipment will be used (DSLR camera, point-and-shoot cameras)? Do you have backup equipment available in case something breaks down (like a lens falling off a tripod)? Are you familiar with shooting on manual controls and/or lighting techniques like off-camera flash? If someone else is handling the technical aspects of the shoot while they’re taking pictures, how comfortable are they at their job?
What are the different types of wedding photographers?
There are many different types of wedding photographers and videographers. For example, there are wedding photographers that specialize in traditional, romantic style photos; documentary-style wedding photography; or even photojournalistic style photos.
There’s also a lot of variety when it comes to the type of packages offered by each photographer or videographer. Some offer an hourly rate for coverage and others have packages that include certain elements like engagement photos and final edits included in their prices.
When should you book a wedding photographer and videographer?
You should book your wedding photographer and videographer at least six months before your wedding day. This will give you time to meet with potential photographers and videographers, pick the ones that fit your style and budget, and then get in touch with them to book the date.
You should also make sure that you book your photographer and videographer as soon as you book your venue. Many venues require that all vendors be booked on a first-come, first-served basis—so if another couple books their venue on the same day as yours while they have time left over in their budget for photography or video services, they could end up getting those services for less than what is offered by other vendors (or maybe even nothing).
But why wait until after booking venues? That’s because some venues require a contract for vendors such as photographers or caterers every year; once this happens it becomes very difficult to negotiate lower prices from any one particular vendor (unless he/she is willing to break his/her obligations).
What do I need to know before hiring a wedding photographer or videographer?
A wedding photographer or videographer can make or break your big day. You need to know what you want, how much you are willing to spend, and what your budget is before hiring a professional.
There are many factors that should be taken into account when choosing the right person for the job. Here’s a list of things to consider when hiring a wedding photographer or video artist:
- Know what style of photography/videography you’re interested in (natural light vs flash).
- Know if you need multiple photographers/video artists at once (some couples have one person shooting pictures while another shoots video).
- Know how many hours they would be working on your wedding day.
- Know their rates per hour (if they charge by package).
These tips will help you negotiate with your photographer and videographer
Here are some tips that will help you negotiate with your photographer and videographer.
- Be sure to tell them how much you love their work and why they should choose you over all the other clients vying for their time. If it’s a wedding photographer, tell them about how many weddings you’ve attended so far (even if it’s just one or two). If it’s an engagement shoot, make sure to mention that this will be your first ever engagement photo session and that you’re very excited about it!
- You may want to consider offering them something in return for photographing or filming your event—like offering a discount on any prints or DVDs of the event itself (if applicable), paying extra cash on top of the agreed-upon price, donating money directly towards their charitable organization of choice (ask them what causes they support), providing free catering services at another upcoming event (as long as this is within reason), etcetera…
- Some of these things might sound like small potatoes compared up against what most wedding photographers charge; however remember: this isn’t just about saving money but rather investing less money into something more valuable than simply getting photographs taken by someone else!
Conclusion
Overall, it’s important to keep your eyes open and do your research. Ask these questions before you sign a contract or pay any money. If something doesn’t sound right, ask again until it does!