How much does a wedding photographer cost on average? This is a common question among couples planning their special day. The price of a wedding photographer can vary based on factors such as experience, quality, and coverage duration.

However, it's essential to remember that choosing a wedding photographer goes beyond price alone. Just like purchasing a piece of art, the cost can reflect the level of skill and professionalism. Couples should consider their budget and the level of quality they desire, as well as the trust they have in the photographer.

While some couples are willing to invest $15,000 in a wedding photographer, believing in the value it brings, others may find such a price unreasonable. They believe that there is no significant difference in quality between a $1,000 photographer and a $15,000 photographer.
I don't believe that you can get quality service or a good product for a small price, whether it's fashionable clothing, beautiful artwork, or modern technology. "You get what you pay for."

Ultimately, the choice between a higher-priced photographer and a more affordable one is a personal decision based on individual preferences, budget constraints, and the importance placed on capturing cherished memories of your special day.

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Here are things to look for and keep in mind:

Depending on your wedding you will need anywhere from 2-12 hours of photo coverage. This depends on the scale of your celebration and the activities you are planning to have during the day.

Some photographers have a per-mile charge, while others might require you to pay the airfare and accommodations if you are having a destination wedding.

Will there be a second shooter at your wedding? Is the second shooter included in the package price? Ask.

A time-consuming process that is done after the wedding day. Expediting this process is sometimes available.

Digital files are usually provided via a USB or via an online file-sharing program. You are able to download the folder with your wedding photos to your computer and take it from there.

Your photographer might offer a wedding album as part of an already existing package. Many times the album can be added a bit later. You can choose your own images or have the photographers select the best captures for you.

About 62% of couples do an engagement/ love story shoot prior to the wedding. These images can be used for the save the date or for print.

In the US the average for lower range wedding photographers costs $5OO or less, the average good photography cost is $3OOO - $5OOO, while most couples spend between $125-145OO and more (photo & video). This varies on the number of hours, the specific photographer and their style, experience, and level of expertise. 

Here is how it works with us:

You pay the photographer to get awesome photos. I get paid for the amount of responsibility that I have. The difference between my wife Lana and me is that I take more responsibility for myself, I can get more shots, in a short period of time and change the result of certain situations for the better. But this in no way means that Lana can’t get awesome shots. This simply means I have more experience than her.

-We always use the best equipment that is available on the market +$2OOOO

-Last year we spend $4OOO for the top of the line reservoir for copies of photos and video.

We also have a yearly expense of $5OO for Google Drive and $2OO+ for our website domain.

-The expenses for our business can go beyond $5OOOO annually. Equipment, marketing, staff, transportation and etc. 

Do you need to tip your wedding photographers?

​Tips are typically not included in the packages but are certainly something you should keep in mind when you are budgeting. Writing an online review for your photographer as a thank you in addition will not take more than 1O minutes, but will mean a lot to the photographers and will help future couples when making their decision.