Most people have a budget of some nature for a wedding and others create a starting point amount to work from. Do you just want your day captured and nothing more? Do you want an engagement shoot? Do you care about a photographer having experience? Do you just want snaps and not organic moments captured for you to document one of the most important days of your life?

If you pay more for something, you will receive a better product or service, right? Not always. I often put these photographers into a lazy group of individuals or the unskilled. I absolutely believe in quality, but how does one define quality over quantity.

Add different color temperatures to their photos so much more so, yes these photographers produce less as they simply cannot photoshop for 30 minutes for photos. So are these photographers a photoshop manipulator than a straight photographer who has incredible talent?

I provide, on average, 50 to 75 pictures per hour. If possible, you should always take the time to check in-person two to three fully printed albums making sure to view the getting ready moments to the first dance. Make sure you see a high grade and large printed art pieces that maintain consistent photographs.

Think about the quality of the products. Quite often, the better the products the higher the rate will be of the photographer. One last note about quality as the ownership of the outcome will come down to you. You and your partner should demand to meet in-person or on a skype, zoom, google call. If you wish not to, then I have to ask you the question, how important really is photography to you?

The photographer is the one person who will be with you all day long so make sure to love that person. After all, the photographer is more than a picture taker and is one of the most important aspects of your hiring choice for your wedding. If you think otherwise, then photography is likely not that important to you. You can contact me today so I can learn what is important to you. To state the obvious, a photographer who has photographed weddings will have more experience than a photographer who has photographed just Is this not logical?

Some couples want every aspect of their wedding day photographed, from the early-morning gown and tux shots in the dressing rooms to the last guests snacking at the midnight food truck. If the photographer has to travel between multiple locations — such as the getting-ready location, the bridal party limo ride to the wedding site, the ceremony site and the reception hall — costs can be greater.

Multiple destinations don't always mean a higher price range, however, especially if you've purchased a wedding package that covers the full day.

Destination weddings will almost definitely increase wedding photographer fees. Some photographers charge their normal rates plus travel, room and board. Other photographers may have an additional fee beyond their standard rates and travel expenses to accommodate the extra effort required for them to pack up their specialized equipment and work remotely. If your wedding is large, you might request — or your photographer may recommend — a photographer's assistant or additional photographer.

If your guest list is very long, you'll want more than one camera to document those magic moments and important guests. Even for small weddings, a photographer's assistant may be needed to handle extra equipment, set up lighting and ensure your photographer is primed to take those perfect shots.

If your wedding takes place at sunset or you have requested a certain aesthetic, such as an editorial style, a wedding photographer may also need an assistant to ensure styling and proper lighting. Adding a second photographer may increase the cost based on an hourly rate, while the photographer's assistant is typically paid at an hourly rate that is lower than that of the principal photographer.

In general, extra hands mean a higher cost. Photographer reputation and demand have a huge impact on rates. Professional wedding photographers with a widely recognized brand will cost more than those just starting out. The photographer's experience will also play a role. A new photographer looking to build their portfolio will often offer discounts to build clientele, while more established pros will have rates that reflect their experience.

Most wedding photographers only work one wedding a day, so if you have your heart set on someone with a cult following, secure their services early with a deposit. The bulk of the photographer's work takes place in post-production, editing and fine-tuning the photos. Special touches like smoothing out splotchy skin, adding extra sparkle to the rings, or editing out shadows all take time and skill — but that's what makes your wedding photos really glow.

This hard work on the back end is why the cost of wedding photography is based on much more than the several hours your photographer spends taking photos on the wedding day. Equipment is another factor that impacts wedding photography costs. To get those glorious, high-definition photos, you need your pro to have top-of-the-line equipment.

Wedding photographers who are individual contractors or photography business owners are tipped less frequently than employees of a larger photography company or a photographer's assistant hired for the event. Of course, if you feel the person went above and beyond, coaxing a smile out of your cranky uncle and putting your camera-shy nieces at ease, a gratuity is a wonderful way to show your appreciation.

Another helpful way to show appreciation is by writing your wedding photographer a positive review. You probably counted on customer reviews to help guide you in the selection process. By sharing your experience, you can pay forward the favor and help your photographer build an even larger clientele.

You may be able to save money by securing access to printing rights rather than being contractually obliged to purchase prints and enlargements from the photographer. Always be sure you understand whether you will have full rights to download and print pictures from any site you choose. This will help you understand the real final cost of your wedding photos. You can also save money by bundling engagement photos with wedding photos for a discounted package rather than purchasing each event's photos individually.

And lastly, don't be afraid to negotiate or ask for discounts. Depending on the season and demand, you may be able to negotiate lower prices for your wedding photos — especially if you receive lower, more reasonable cost estimates from other wedding photographers. For more hiring advice, check out our tips for smart hiring. Finding the perfect wedding photographer may seem overwhelming. These are the photos you'll cherish the rest of your life, after all — no pressure or anything.

Wedding planning pros recommend you hire your wedding photographer in the early planning stages: first the planner if you're working with one , then the venue, followed by the caterer and photographer. Visit Thumbtack to find wedding photographers near you. Then, start reading their profiles, ratings and client reviews. Testimonials from former clients will tell you a lot about what you can expect. Keep track of photographers who have positive reviews for their professionalism, communication and punctuality.

Once you've identified a few photographers you're interested in, start contacting them and asking questions. Don't know what to ask a wedding photographer? Start with these ideas:. Ask about their previous experience. When researching photographers, find someone with wedding experience.

You don't want your wedding to be their first foray into this type of work. Ask to see their portfolio, and look for examples that showcase similar settings and lighting to what you're planning, such as an outdoor ceremony at sunset.

Ask about their rates. Of course, how you divvy up your wedding budget depends on which aspects of your celebration and therefore which vendors are most important to you. But since you probably want to relive your wedding memories for years to come, finding a great photographer is an important task. Wedding photography prices vary by vendor and services offered, so it's up to you to find a pro who fits your particular needs. But if you're looking to get a general sense of how much a wedding photographer costs, we have the answer.

Read on to find what real couples spend on wedding photography today. Almost 90 percent of couples hired a photographer , making them one of the most popular wedding vendors. Photography was also the most common area where couples were willing to spend more. Over half of all couples increased their original budget once they started planning—of that, 47 percent admitted to spending more on their photographer.

Sixty percent of couples say that a photographer's style is the most important factor when deciding who to hire. This can potentially affect wedding photography prices. When researching vendors, it's important to ask about additional services that are offered.

Some photographers may offer bulk packages and capture other wedding-related events. Prices can also vary based on hours worked before and after the wedding, as well as the amount of photos you receive at the end. Make note of what you'll receive with your potential package. Some photographers will give you raw files once the wedding is over, or some prices will include edited images, organized albums or portfolios.

Plenty of factors affect the average price for wedding photographers, so thorough research is necessary. Tools like The Knot Marketplace will help you connect with potential vendors based on their services, price estimates and style of work. No matter the price you pay, you'll get plenty of use out of your wedding photos for years to come. The timeline for receiving your photos is up to your vendor, but you'll typically get them three to 12 weeks after your wedding. So, while you should definitely go ahead and post your favorite shots on Instagram and give a shout out to your pro!

Most newlyweds create a wedding photo album to display your favorite shots from the big day. If you're receiving digital photo files, you can also print them out to be framed, arrange them in a canvas print gallery wall, or turn them into gifts for your family members. You can also use them as greeting cards for your first holiday season as a married couple. The sky's the limit when it comes to displaying your wedding photos—but since they are an investment, be thoughtful about how you display them after the wedding.

Your big day is here, and photos are the only way you can preserve those beautiful moments. Now, you need a photographer who is not only spectacular at their job, but whose wedding photography rates are reasonable. This post will show you everything on how to spot the best photographers, packages, and evergreen wedding photos! Quick Navigation. Save to. In order not to get a rude shock or underestimate your wedding photo prices, you should know some things.

Few things you will expect include the varying prices with photographers depending on their level of experience. This price will also change with the type of wedding photos you want and more. This rides on the hours they spend at your wedding which is between hours. The package you opted for, experience, recommendation, and collaboration.

There are few things to pay attention to, things which will affect your wedding photography prices. They include;. Is 4 hours enough for a wedding photographer? For town hall weddings, yes!

Just make sure the process for group photos is organized! Michaela Wedding Photographer Expert Answers. Why are wedding photographers so expensive?