Wedding Photography Prices
While it can’t be emphasized enough, the photographs from a wedding are the one tangible thing that will last, long after the candles are all blown out and the guests have gone home. It makes sense, then, to rank the wedding photographer fairly high in importance when planning a wedding. That doesn’t mean, however, that the photography needs to completely overwhelm a wedding budget. Here are some tips for wedding photography that will ensure the photographs are a wonderful keepsake of the event.
Typical Costs
To decide on the type of photography package, it is important to know the typical costs and range for certain categories. Luxury wedding photographers will range between $5,000 and more than $10,000. Upscale photographers generally charge between $3,000 and $5,000, moderate photographers between $1,000 and $3,000, and budget photographers under $1,000. The differences will be in the amount of time spent with the bride and groom, and how comprehensive a photographic record of the day the couple desires. Certainly, the experience level of the photographer is important as well, and those who’ve photographed many weddings successfully will command a higher price.
Even those on a very limited budget can get some excellent photographs by asking a relative or friend who has an eye for photography to take photos of the ceremony and reception with a digital camera. Compiling a list of must-have pictures is crucial so that the couple is not disappointed. Another budget-friendly idea is placing a disposable camera on each table and encourage the guests to take random shots of the evening.
What should you expect?
When hiring a photographer, it’s important to carefully consider wedding photography prices and what is included in the cost of each package that is presented.
Basic packages (under $1000) will normally include from one to four hours of photography by one photographer, online proofs, and a limited amount of prints or images burned on a disc.
A moderate package ($1,000 to $3,000) should include more hours, and possibly an assistant, with more prints and maybe special albums.
Upscale packages ($3,000 to $5,000) will probably include up to eight hours with two photographers, and special albums, special parent’s albums or keepsake photo books.
Luxury packages (over $5,000) will most likely include extensive photographic coverage by as many as three photographers in multiple shoot locations, plus extra albums or photo books.
Saving money
No matter which photographer does the shooting, there are some common ways that can help to save money on wedding photography prices.
Consider purchasing just a basic package from a skilled photographer and put together your own custom albums and prints to save substantially. Paying for an expert’s hand will assure you of great images, and give you ample time to recover financially from the costs of the wedding before putting together an album.
Do not be afraid to negotiate with the photographer; ask for a discount, and even ask to barter if there is something of value, in goods or services, that might be useful to him. Packages are typically the most budget friendly way to save on wedding photography prices, and will give the photographer the most room to negotiate.
You can save money by avoiding added services like multiple exposures, split frames, or sepia tones. Select digital photography, and get a copyright release so that you can do whatever prints you like later at discounted prices. In this way, you can cut down on the number of prints you need to order, and you can also post them on one of the photo-sharing sites so that your friends and family can see them and also order prints that they want for themselves.
Wedding Photography Must Have List – If you are thinking of doing wedding photography properly, you need to know about preparing invoices correctly, wedding poses or posing the bridal party and couple. Then there are things you must know like; extended time agreements, the photographers contract, skilled thank-you letters (you want more business later from this – right?), and a tactful photographer’s deposit reminder. It would be wise to have a better and more detailed wedding photography checklist than this helpful though basic list above. A wedding photography website is also a must and there are templates specifically for that purpose available. Here’s one of the few places we know of that can help with all the above – at least it gives an idea of what you should be looking for if you would like to get started as a wedding photographer.
You can get more information about wedding photography here.
…hope that helps,
Ray Baker
