Knowing how much to pay for your wedding photographer can be overwhelming. Numerous factors can affect your costs, including the geographical location of your wedding venue, city, number of venues, etc.

For example, a photographer in New York City isn't likely to have the same prices as a photographer in a small rural town in the Midwest. Hopefully, our guide can provide clarity and guidance regarding wedding photography fees.

Overall prices

In the United States, wedding photographers generally charge between $1,200 and $3,000, with the average wedding photographer's cost hovering around $2,000. However, there are photographers in high demand who will charge a lot more than that. How much you pay for a wedding photographer can come down to reputation, popularity (how in demand are they?), event date, and local market.

Understand What You're Paying For

Before you hire any wedding photographer, regardless of their reputation, be sure to understand their fees and their photo packages. Read, read and read! There can be a big difference in fee structure between photographers, so don't assume they all charge the same way.

A photographer's package might be structured very differently from another photographer, dramatically affecting the prices. It's not to say one is right and the other is wrong. It's just how they do business.

Here's what to look for in their fees, packages, and even contracts:

Images & costs: This is a critical discussion to avoid misunderstanding and disappointment. You should understand your wedding photographer's charges and how they structure their fees. You'll want to know whether the fees you pay provide you with actual images or digital files. What are those prices by size if you need to pay for individual photos? For example, how much is an 8 x 10 versus a 5 x 7 on professional photo paper? How much is a canvas print? (Many photographers will charge a flat fee to attend an event and shoot pictures. They then charge by the photo, amount of editing, etc.) You'll also want to know if you can obtain digital files and how - on a USB drive or an online gallery.
Multiple shoots: Professional engagement photos have become very popular, and many wedding photographers offer their services for them. Some wedding photographers offer engagement photos as part of a wedding package.
Time: How much time will they commit to your event, and when will they start shooting? You can typically expect a photographer to commit at least five to six hours. They usually offer a minimum amount of time for their standard fee, and you pay for any time above that.
Travel: How much traveling will the photographer need to do to cover your wedding event? Will they first go to your home and then the wedding venue? Will they travel to other locations? Some photographers will charge a mileage fee when driving to various locations.
Meals: You should expect to provide meals for most of your wedding service providers at the venue. Not only is it standard, but it's also a nice thing to do for people working hard for you that day. Discuss the photographer's expectations for their meal.
Second photographer: If your photographer needs to bring a second photographer or an assistant, you'll be paying for that. However, having a second photographer will likely produce more pictures from which to select and offer more than one angle or perspective, so it can be worth spending more on this.
Illness: It's worth asking your photographer what happens if they are ill the day of your event. Who will substitute for them, and what is the quality of their work and their experience?
Editing: You'll want to ask about post-production edits and enhancements. How do they charge for those? How much time do they spend on post-production, and how much experience do they have? (A new photographer in the business might not have much experience in this critical part of photography.) Anyway, you can order and use presets for lightroom by BeArt-Presets, which have been created especially for wedding photography.
Albums: Are albums included in the rate they've quoted you? If your photographer offers printed albums, ask to see a few samples. Also, ask about their album fees if they're not already included.
Print release: You'll want to discuss a print release with the photographer. This means you can use the images, including digital images, for personal use but according to the conditions of the print release. It's important to understand that typically a print release does not grant you copyright. This means that, legally, you do not own the images. As a result, you can't claim them as your own, resell them, or use them for marketing purposes.
Insurance: This is an often overlooked part of working with any service provider. You'll want to know about their insurance coverage. You should understand what you might be held legally liable for while the photographer is under your employment.

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Frequently Asked Client Questions

Here are some general questions couples often ask about a wedding photographer or the process.

1. When should I hire a wedding photographer?

We recommend meeting with photographers very early in your planning process, particularly if you have a very popular photographer in mind. The most famous photographers can book up 12-18 months in advance!

2. Should I use a second photographer?

This is a great discussion to have with your photographer. If you're hosting a large wedding, then a second shooter can be extremely valuable. They can capture a valuable second perspective or angle of the event.

It's the second set of eyes. However, if you're having a small wedding, using just one shooter might be sufficient. Many photographers like to bring an assistant. Not only can they help them set things up, but it can also save them a lot of time. The assistant's time might be included in their fees, or it might be a separate charge.

3. Do I have to pay travel costs?

Most photographers have a geographical circle or region they work within without charging a travel fee. Anything outside of that area, and you can expect to pay mileage and/or travel costs. If you opt for a destination wedding and want to bring in a photographer, you'll not only be paying for their travel costs (including any assistants and baggage and equipment costs), you'll need to pay for their accommodations.

4. What photography style should I use?

The answer to this popular question is highly individual. You might like a very formal approach to your wedding images. At the same time, another bridge prefers a very casual and candid approach. However, the more important question is: what photography style is your photographer known for? You'll want to select a photographer that can give you what you want.

A wedding photographer known for formal and traditional photos is probably not the person to hire if you want the opposite. Be sure to browse their website and online gallery. Speak to other bridges they've worked with and get word-of-mouth referrals from friends who've loved their photographer. Wedding photography styles include fine art, traditional, candid/photojournalism, and vintage.

5. Do I need to tip?

Typically, you will want to tip the photographer, just as you would other service providers that day. Tips aren't typically included in a photographer's package. However, you might ask if they've included a service charge, as it's considered the same as a tip. If they haven't included a tip, it's up to you how much to give. You might consider how many hours they've committed and how hard you've seen them working. Generally, at a minimum, a few hundred dollars is appropriate.

6. What about engagement photos?

As we said earlier, engagement photos have become very popular. Some wedding photographers include them in their wedding packages. However, you can choose to work with a different photographer. Engagement shoot prices can range from $150 to $1000 for a session. Like with a wedding, various factors will affect the cost, including geographical location, local market prices, travel, and time involved. Discuss prices carefully with the photographer, so you understand what to expect.

7. Questions a client might ask

Here are the questions a typical client would likely ask a wedding photographer before booking them. You will want to meet a photographer in person, ideally at their studio. Be sure that you understand their answers clearly and feel comfortable with them! We've addressed some of these points earlier, but it's worth having them listed below for when you meet with the photographer:

How many weddings do you photograph in a year?
Do you specialize in a particular type of wedding or photography style?
How do you price your work, how much are your packages, and what do they include?
May I have your prices and fees in writing before hiring you?
What happens if an emergency arises and you can't be present on my wedding day?
Describe a typical wedding shoot and how you go about it.
May I see a wedding album from a previous wedding?
Have you ever shot a wedding in my venue before?
When can I expect to see the first images? How long after the wedding?
How will I receive my photos, and in what format?
How can others order prints or images?
May I see your contract?