A wedding photographer is one of the most important investments you’ll make for your big day. Your photos will be treasured for years to come, and if you plan on selling them or sharing them online, they could also help pad your pocketbook. But wedding photography isn’t an inexpensive endeavor — and with just as many ways to spend money as there are photographers out there, it can be tough to get a handle on how much you should expect to shell out in order to hire a pro who can capture all your special moments on camera.
How Much Do Wedding Photographers Cost?
How much do wedding photographers cost? The answer is complicated, but it’s good to know how your options break down. Wedding photographer costs can be broken down into:
- Wedding photographer cost per hour/day/week. This will depend on the number of hours needed for the event, as well as if you need them for more than one day. If you hire a photographer for seven hours at $500 per hour and your wedding takes ten hours to shoot, then you’ll pay $3500 total for your photos (and that doesn’t include any travel costs).
- Wedding photographer cost per photo or album. While some photographers quote prices by the hour, others charge based on how many images they deliver from your event—which means you might end up paying more or less depending on how many pictures they take (or buy). But this also means that if they have a price where 2 albums are included and then offer an album design service with each album ordered separately afterwards and priced at $200 each time…then basically tell us what happens when we buy two albums! I’m sure our friend would be happy with her current situation too!
Wedding Photographer Prices & Hourly Rates
Before you begin your search, you need to have an idea of what your budget is. A good wedding photographer should be able to give you a rough estimate of their costs and provide references with the same price range. Once you’ve narrowed down your list, it’s time to meet them in person.
A good wedding photographer will have a solid portfolio and references that they can show you directly or via email. A great place to start looking is their website (if they have one). They should offer some information about themselves and their style, including examples of past work so that you can see how they work as well as what type of photos they take. If not on their website then there should be some way for them to show off their portfolios via email or in person—and if neither exist then this may be cause for concern!
Also ask about other services offered by these photographers like engagement sessions or engagement albums; these are important because they help showcase how much care goes into planning out each shot beforehand rather than just winging it during the big day itself.- wedding photography.
What Does a Wedding Photographer Cost?
The average cost of a wedding photographer is between $1,500 to $3,000. The best way to determine what you need and how much your photographer will cost is to talk with them directly. You should expect to pay more if you want more coverage or if your wedding has special characteristics (e.g., a destination wedding).
How to Choose a Good Wedding Photographer
When choosing a wedding photographer, you’ll want to look for a few key qualities. The first is experience—you’ll want to find someone who has photographed many weddings before (ideally on your budget). The second is reputation. Does the photographer have good reviews? Do they have any awards or accolades? Lastly, don’t forget personality and sense of humor: Your wedding day will be long and tiring; it’s important that you enjoy spending time with your photographers.
The average cost of wedding photography ranges from $700 up to $2000 or more.
The average cost of wedding photography ranges from $700 up to $2000 or more. Your budget will depend on your photographer’s experience, location, and how many hours they charge per day. This is a general guide for how much you can expect to pay:
- If you are using a professional wedding photographer who charges by the hour, you should expect to pay anywhere from $200-500/hour for full day coverage. A typical 8 hour day would fall between $1600-2400 (including travel time).
- Photographers who work on an hourly basis usually have lower start up costs (around $300-$1000) because they don’t have their own equipment. However, this does not mean that all photographers only take cash or checks as payment – some will accept credit cards through Square or PayPal so make sure ask at checkout!
As you can see, wedding photography prices vary widely depending on the package and the photographer. It’s important when shopping around for a vendor that you look at all of the details including what they offer in terms of services provided (e.g., albums, digital files etc.) so that you can make an informed decision about what’s best for your budget and needs.