Picture Perfect Prices: 10 Factors That Influence the Cost of Wedding Photographers
When you are planning a wedding, the price of photographers may come with a little sticker shock. Many couples are surprised to learn that wedding photography can cost thousands of dollars for a single day.
While your wedding day will pass by in a blur of vows, tears, and laughter, the photos are one of the few wedding expenses that will last long after the wedding concludes.
We will explore the factors that influence wedding photography costs and what you are paying for to preserve those precious memories.
Table of Contents
How Much Should I Spend on My Wedding Photographer?
Hiring a photographer is a significant decision. To plan your budget accordingly, it is important to know how much the average wedding photographer costs. Typically, you can expect to spend 10-15% of your total wedding budget on a photographer.
The average cost of wedding photography ranges from $2,000–$5,000 for amateur and semi-professional photographers to $6,000–$12,000 for very well-known or luxury photographers.
The cost of wedding photography can vary greatly based on factors such as:
Location
Photographer’s experience
Coverage length
Time of year
Package selected
Twenty Mile House can help reduce the stress of finding the perfect photographer. Our all-inclusive wedding venue in California includes packages with many vendors, including photography, leaving you free to focus on other wedding details.
How Much Does a Wedding Photographer Cost? 10 Factors That Influence Pricing
It’s becoming more common for wedding receptions to continue well into the evening, particularly at a late-curfew wedding venue in California. Guests spend more time dancing, socializing, and enjoying the bar. As the night goes on, it’s common for people to feel hungry again — especially when dinner was served hours earlier, and the celebration is still going strong.
Late-night snacks help bridge that gap. A small bite at the right moment keeps guests comfortable, restores energy, and gives the evening a natural lift. Rather than slowing the night down, these snacks often give guests a second wind, helping them stay engaged and enjoy the celebration through its final moments.
8 Tips for Presenting the Ultimate Wedding Late-Night Snacks
#1: Location
Location highly influences how much a photographer costs for a wedding.
If you live or plan to get married in a bigger city, you can expect to spend more. In bigger cities, the cost of living is higher, as are the expenses photographers accrue, such as insurance and rent. Because they have higher operating costs, they charge a higher price.
If you have a destination wedding and hire a non-local photographer, the cost will increase to cover the travel expenses.
A photographer with a strong reputation and in high demand may also charge more than photographers with less of a following.
#2: Experience
Photographers often charge higher prices as they gain more experience.
Experienced photographers charge more for:
Consistent, high-quality work.
Ability to problem-solve unexpected issues.
A strong reputation and higher demand for their work.
A detailed process for consultations, editing, and delivery.
A second shooter.
A unique or stylized approach.
Strong portfolios.
Professional equipment.
Because of their years of experience, seasoned photographers can confidently deliver an experience that matches and captures your wedding vision.
#3: Hours of Coverage
Another decision you must make is how long you will need the photographer. Will they be capturing pre-wedding activities? Only the ceremony? The reception?
How much a wedding photographer costs per hour is dependent on the time they will spend shooting the wedding. Half-day coverage, typically 4-6 hours, is usually cheaper than full-day coverage. If you plan to have a multi-day wedding, expect the price to increase.
Standard coverage usually ranges from 6–8 hours, with extended coverage being 10 or more hours. More time spent shooting equates to more time editing and retouching photographs post-wedding. Additionally, shooting multiple parts of the wedding requires additional time prepping and setting up.
Twenty Mile House offers multi-day wedding packages for couples who wish to spread their wedding events across several days. Packages include vendors such as photographers, catering, and more.
#4: Package Inclusions
One of the most influential factors for how much it costs for a wedding photographer is the package selected.
Package costs will vary depending on:
The number of edited photographs
If the photographer brings a second shooter
If the package includes albums and printed photos vs. an online gallery
Inclusion of an engagement session
Coverage hours
Add-ons like videography
#5: Photographer Style
A photographer’s style can impact the price of their services. A skilled wedding photographer isn’t going to just click and shoot.
Some styles, such as emphasis on dramatic lighting or aerial shots, require more specialized equipment. Light stands, diffusers, reflectors, drones, etc., can be expensive for photographers to buy or rent. Certain photography styles may also require more editing time and expertise.
Photography styles include:
Fine art: Your wedding photos will be a work of art with poses in front of backdrops and with special props.
Editorial: Focuses on dramatic poses and lighting with studio lighting to make you feel like a movie star on your special day.
Documentary: Focuses on capturing the moments as they unfold throughout the day, relying on candid moments instead of orchestrated ones.
Classic: Uses mainly posed shots from the photographer to capture all of the traditional wedding moments, such as group shots of the wedding party, the first kiss, and the cutting of the cake.
#6: Demand & Season
Your chosen wedding date may significantly impact how much a photographer charges for a wedding.
Peak season, typically spring and summer for many locations, or high-demand dates, such as holidays and long weekends, usually bring a higher price tag. During these times, wedding photographers are in high demand with limited availability. Not only must you plan far ahead to secure a photographer for these dates, your budget will also need to be higher.
If you are looking to save money, photographers may offer discounts or lower rates in the off-season or on less popular dates.
Peak wedding season in California tends to be from May to October, with Saturdays being very popular. The weather is usually beautiful, and the gorgeous fall colors offer an amazing wedding backdrop.
Twenty Mile House has 200 acres of pristine, natural beauty that make it the ideal location for a destination wedding. Wedding photography is included in our all-inclusive packages, making wedding planning easier.
#7: Equipment & Editing
Professional photographers invest thousands of dollars in purchasing equipment to produce stunning wedding photos.
To achieve high-quality, lasting photographs, they purchase special equipment, such as:
High-end cameras
Professional flashes
Special lenses
Advanced lighting
And back-up equipment
Specialized styles require even more equipment, such as drones or extra lighting.
When the wedding is over, the photographer’s job isn’t complete. They must still spend extensive time editing the photos to get you an ideal product. Photographers spend an average of at least three hours editing for every hour of shooting.
The money and time invested in producing and editing the photos increases the amount of money you will pay for the services.
#8: Turnaround Time & Deliverables
If you are rushed for wedding photos, the photographer will have to work overtime to get the photos edited and returned quickly. You may be charged a rush fee because your photos must be prioritized and interrupt their normal workflow, especially during peak wedding seasons.
Booking your wedding during the off-season or not expecting the photos right away will help you reduce or maintain the cost of wedding photography. In the off-season, you may be able to receive your photos faster for the same price because of less demand on the photographer’s time.
Additionally, if you are purchasing custom albums or physical photos rather than digital files, you can expect the cost to increase. Creating such products requires additional time and resources.
#9: Reputation & Brand
It takes years of experience for a photographer to build their reputation and establish their brand. Such photographers have a strong portfolio that reflects their skill, vision, and reliability.
Choosing a well-known and sought-after photographer has its benefits, including:
Consistent delivery of high-quality images.
Peace of mind that once-in-a-lifetime memories will be captured.
Understanding of wedding day ins and outs.
A unique and refined style.
Effective communication throughout consultations and the editing process.
Because such photographers are often in high demand, may have had their work published or acknowledged with awards, and have extensive equipment, the price for their work is higher.
Amateur photographers charge less, but the quality of work may not be near the same level.
#10: Insurance & Business Costs
Wedding photographers typically carry two types of insurance to cover their business needs: liability and equipment. Photographers need liability insurance to protect against claims of bodily injury or property damage. They insure their equipment from theft or damage, adding to their business expenses.
Photographers also carry personal indemnity to protect themselves professionally from unintentional mistakes, such as losing a memory card.
Additionally, photographers accrue other business expenses like software and technology for editing photos. To gain new clients, they must also spend money on marketing, websites, and branding.
Photographers also spend money on:
Continuing education
Equipment cleaning
Paying taxes
Phone
Internet
Travel
Permits
Each of these costs translates into the amount photographers charge for their services.
Wedding Photography FAQs
How Many Hours of Coverage Do I Need?
The amount of coverage you need largely depends on the size of your wedding and what you wish for the photographer to capture.
For a full wedding day story, a photographer typically needs 8–12 hours. This would cover getting ready, the actual ceremony, family and group photos, as well as the reception and grand exit.
If your wedding is smaller or you are planning to elope, you can probably hire a photographer for 2–6 hours of coverage to capture your wedding.
Twenty Mile House’s all-inclusive packages include photography, whether you plan a multi-day wedding or a wedding that only takes a few hours.
Do I Need a Second Photographer?
A second photographer is generally used to ensure that memories are captured from multiple angles for every part of the day. These photographers also help capture candid moments and are very beneficial for larger weddings.
Some photographers utilize a second shooter as part of their packages, but if they do not and you wish to have more coverage, a second photographer would be a good idea.
How Far in Advance Should I Book a Wedding Photographer?
If you are planning to get married during the peak season for the location, contract a highly sought-after photographer, or get married on a popular date, it is recommended to plan pretty far in advance.
Planning 9–18 months in advance can help you secure the photographer you wish for the wedding date and location you desire.
Capture Every Detail With Twenty Mile House’s All-Inclusive Wedding Packages and Photography
Twenty Mile House offers a gorgeous natural landscape nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. Our wedding coordination team is dedicated to executing custom wedding artistry to help your wedding dreams become a reality.
When you book a wedding with us, you will have access to our partner vendors. From music and catering to photography and many things in between, we will work with you to create a one-of-a-kind wedding.
Let us help you capture one of the most important days of your life. Reach out today, and we will start creating a custom wedding package to suit your needs!