How Much Does a Wedding Photographer Cost?
Wedding bells ringing in your future? If yes, you've likely started searching high and low for a good wedding photographer, someone who takes beautiful photos, has a few years of experience (at least) and brings excellent equipment to the table. Also, since the rest of your wedding is likely going to cost you an arm, leg and half a foot, a photographer that fits your budget.
And that's where the craziness begins.
Wedding Photographers are Like Snowflakes; No 2 Are Exactly Alike
Finding a good wedding photographer isn't exactly easy, since they all have different degrees of experience, creativity and style. Add to that the fact that they all charge different prices and offer different 'packages' and you'll soon find that making a choice is...difficult. Sometimes maddenly so.
Still, it's worth the effort to look, ask questions and compare, taking your time to speak with each candidate at length to ask them about their experience, thoughts and advice. (You don't have to take their advice but, if you listen, you might hear some gems.)
The main reason it's worth the effort however has to do with the fact that, when all is said and done, your wedding pictures will be the thing that lasts longest and, in the future, brings you the most rewards. It sad but true that, as time goes by, memories will fade and some people will pass. Wedding cake doesn't last forever either but, when your child asks to see them or you simply want to refresh those wonderful memories, your wedding album will be there for you, offering a time-machine of old photographs that bring those memories right back and help you share them too.
So How Much Does a Wedding Photographer Cost, Anyway?
In Australia, brides and grooms-to-be have the luxury of looking to the annual Australian Wedding Survey, where a trove of fantastic information is kept. The latest edition, 2019, is filled with facts and prices that can help you decide what a 'good' price should be for your wedding photographer.
For example, the Survey shows that, on average, Australians paid just under $3000.00 for their wedding photographer, which has risen slightly since 2018 (4%). While that number is helpful as a guide, what throws things off a bit is the fact that most wedding photographers sell 'packages', most of which include the basic photography along with other 'extras' like albums.
Here's a closer look at some wedding packages and their prices.
6 Hour Wedding Photography Packages
With this package the photographer is with you and the family for, you guessed it, 6 hours. Base prices for 6 hours start at around $1200.00 and go as high as $3000.00, depending on what 'extras' that are offered or those you want to be included.
8 Hour Wedding Photography Packages
The most commonly offered package as far as hours are concerned, the 8 Hour package goes for approximately $2800.00. The good news here is that, as the most offered package, this one seems to be almost the same cost from 1 photog to the next, with similar extras included, making it easier to choose if 8 hours works for you.
12 Hour Wedding Photography Packages
Going from about $1800.00 all the way up to $8500, a 12 hour package will get you a photographer for half the day. Of course, the $1800.00 price is usually 'no frills' while the $8500.00 tag usually has all the bells and whistles like printed albums, framed pictures, enhanced images and more.
What Are Some Other Variables That Affect the Price of a Wedding Photographer?
All of the packages above are based on averages from the Australian Wedding Survey but, if you want something extra, something 'different' or something out of the ordinary, you can expect to see extra charges. (Often they're included in the package price though, so do ask before adding.)
These are things like;
Having 2 photographers come out to shoot instead of 1
Having your wedding Album printed
Having the photographer stay later or arrive earlier
Requesting special props, clothing and /or locations for shooting
Shooting 'off site' or in another location away from the actual wedding venue
All of these factors, and more, will make a difference in the total that you end up paying, so make sure to ask questions and get prices for everything so you can see exactly what the final cost will be before you hire your photographer.
Price Is Not the Only Factor to Consider when Hiring a Wedding Photographer
OK, so let's say that you found a decent photographer who you believe will do a good job and that person is $3250.00 including all the extra goodies you want. But, on the other hand, you've also found another photog whose experience is deeper and who, from their portfolio, seems to have a very keen and stylish eye that you happen to adore, and their cost is $3800.00.
Now you have to ask yourself; is it worth the extra $550.00 to go with the person whose work you like best, or is the work of photog #1 good enough for you and your spouse-to-be? That's you personal decision and no blog can make that call for you. It depends on what you want, what you can afford and, in the end, how important your wedding photographs are to you, personally.
Some Final Tips To Help You Choose a Wedding Photographer
The more creative the photographer, the more appealing and fun your photos will (likely) turn out, so make sure you look closely at their portfolio.
Someone you feel 'comfortable' to be around is best, as they will be taking pictures of you at a moment in your life that's quite intimate.
Ask questions until you're blue in the face, and don't stop until you get the answers you want. There's nothing worse than finding out something wasn't included
Choose a photographer that has excellent communication skills and responds to your queries quickly.
If possible, get a price list of any extras they offer so that you can comparison shop.
Choose a combination of price, experience, communication and warmth
At the end of the day you want a wedding photographer who gives a great combination of cost, experience, likeability and communication skills. Choosing based on 1 quality alone is probably a mistake, especially price. And remember; as with anything else in this life, you get what you pay for.
Best of luck with your wedding!