How Much Does Wedding Photography Cost? Find Out the Average Prices and What Affects Your Budget

Choosing your photographer is one of the most significant decisions when planning your wedding. Wedding photos are memories you'll cherish forever, so you want to ensure you're investing wisely. But how much should you expect to spend on wedding photography? Let's break down the average costs, the factors affecting pricing, and how to choose a photographer that fits your budget.

What Is the Average Cost of Wedding Photography?

The total amount you spend on your wedding photography coverage depends on several key factors. The photographer's experience, the services they offer, and the location of your wedding all play a part. According to The Knot's 2023 Real Weddings Study, couples in the U.S. spent an average of $2,900 on wedding photography. This makes it the fourth most expensive wedding service after the venue, catering, and entertainment.

That is an average, so your actual costs could be higher or lower. The cost of wedding photography ranges from around $1,000 for beginners to over $20,000 for luxury photographers. Understanding this spectrum will help you set realistic expectations and help determine what best fits your budget.

What Affects the Cost of Wedding Photography?

The cost of your wedding photographer depends on several key factors.

1. Photographer's Experience and Skill Level

One of the biggest factors affecting the cost of wedding photography is how long the photographer has been in the industry. Newer photographers or those with less than two years of experience typically charge less, often around $1,000 to $2,500 for 8 hours of wedding photo coverage. While they may not have the same level of expertise as seasoned professionals, they can still provide good value, especially if they are talented, creative, and committed to building their portfolio! Before booking, ask to see full wedding galleries, learn how they back up their images, and sign a contract.

Photographers with more experience will charge more for their services, as they should! Their skills are more refined, and they know all the tips and tricks to make sure photography on your wedding day goes smoothly. They typically have more extensive photo packages and have developed a clear photo and editing style over the years.

2. Wedding Location

Your wedding location significantly influences how much you can expect to pay for photography services. Wedding photographers in large metropolitan areas like New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago tend to charge more due to the higher cost of living, demand for services, and competitive market. Photographers in smaller towns or rural areas might offer more affordable packages.

Travel expenses also factor into the overall cost if your photographer needs to travel for your wedding. Destination weddings require significant travel and might incur additional charges to cover transportation and accommodation. If you plan to have a destination wedding, it might be more budget-friendly to find a photographer who is local to your wedding location.

3. Amount of Photography Coverage

The number of hours you book your photographer is one of the most significant factors in the total cost of your wedding photography. A standard wedding photography package typically includes around 8 hours of coverage. Eight hours usually covers the key moments of your wedding day, like the first look, couples portraits, group photos, ceremony, and reception. If you are looking for more extensive or multi-day coverage for rehearsal dinners or wedding brunches, you can expect to pay more.

If you want to reduce the cost of your wedding day photography, booking fewer hours of coverage is the primary way. Think about what parts of your day are most important to have captured and book a photographer for those moments. Remember, if you are planning a big wedding, reducing hours of coverage might mean missing out on moments of your day that you may want to capture, such as getting ready with your wedding party or those wild late-night dancing shots.

4. Package Add-ons and Extras

Some photographers offer additional services you can add to your wedding photography package, such as an engagement session, a second shooter, or a custom wedding album, which can increase the total price.

• Engagement sessions are a great way to get comfortable with your photographer before the big day, but they can add anywhere from $300 to $1,000 to your total cost. However, some photographers do offer wedding packages that include an engagement session!

• Second photographers typically cost between $500 and $1,500, depending on their experience and how many hours you book them for. They are a great option if you want more coverage, especially for large weddings. Like engagement sessions, some photographers include second photographers in their wedding packages.

• Physical Albums and prints are another common add-on. Custom wedding albums can range from $300 to $2,000, depending on the design, materials, and number of pages.

Be sure to clarify with your photographer what's included in their packages and whether any add-ons are necessary for your wedding day photo coverage.

5. Photographer's Reputation and Specialization

Highly sought-after photographers will generally charge higher rates, particularly those with a strong reputation or specialized skills (like film photography, drone shots, photojournalistic style, etc). Premium photographers in high demand or specializing in luxury weddings may cost between $10,000 and $20,000+, depending on their portfolio and experience. Even though these photographers are skilled, ensure their style and services align with your wedding vision!

How to Choose a Wedding Photographer Within Your Budget

Now that you are familiar with the factors that impact wedding photography costs, here are some tips for selecting a photographer that matches your budget without sacrificing quality.

1. Set a Realistic Budget

Before browsing for wedding photographers, create a budget that fits your wedding plan. Photography is an essential service for many, but balancing your expenses across all areas of your wedding is important. Having a budget in mind will help narrow your options and make the decision process more manageable.

2. Prioritize What Matters Most

Think about what's most important to you in wedding photography. Is it having an extensive album? Do you want a photographer skilled in both candid and posed shots? Or maybe you're most concerned with getting the best price. By identifying your priorities, you can find a photographer who meets your needs without overspending!

3. Do Your Research

Look for wedding photographers with a photo and editing style you find yourself drawn to. Think about what type of photo and editing style you like best, maybe it's traditional posed shots or a more documentary approach. Whether you prefer a bright and airy editing style or a dark and moody editing style, reviewing each photographer's portfolio will help gauge if their work aligns with your vision. Read reviews to see what their past clients thought about working with them. If possible, meet with photographers you are considering to get a sense of their personality and how comfortable you would feel with them capturing your wedding day. Trust is crucial! Your photographer will be with you throughout the day, capturing those intimate, special moments, so you want to ensure you vibe together.

4. Ask About Custom Packages

If none of the packages your photographer offers feels like the perfect fit for you, many offer customizable packages and would be more than willing to work with you. If you fall in love with a photographer who is a bit out of your budget, it doesn't hurt to ask if they could adjust the package to fit your needs. You could skip the engagement session or reduce the number of hours of coverage.

Wedding photography is expensive, but it will preserve the memories of your special day for years to come. Years from now, you won't remember every little moment of your wedding day, like how your grandma smiled while you walked down the aisle and how your partner squeezed your hand as you said, "I do." Because it is such a significant investment, it's important to understand the average costs and factors that impact pricing to decide what best aligns with your vision and budget. Whether you work with a seasoned professional or a talented up-and-coming photographer, the key is finding someone whose style and personality best match your own. Happy wedding planning!