Why is Wedding Photography so Expensive?

If you are currently planning a wedding, I know you are asking yourself this exact question. Perhaps you have Googled “affordable wedding photography,” and found suggests like:

• Find a friend with a nice camera
• Use disposables on your reception tables
• Have everyone send you their iPhone pictures

You might be thinking “Of course you are going to be biased. You are a wedding photographer!”
You are right, but I’m only passionate about this topic because I am so attached to the RESULTS. Wedding professionals take years to hone their craft, and the difference is obvious between professional photographs and amateur photographs.

But a couple only sees the results AFTER this once in a lifetime moment has passed and cannot be recaptured. After the vows are spoken, the cake is cut, and the first dance is over, all that you will have to remember and relive the moments are your photographs.

You will spend countless hours planning your wedding and have a lifetime together as a couple. You deserve more than iPhone pictures or mere snapshots. You deserve works of art that will last for generations.

That said, I will try to unlock some of the mystery behind a photographer’s price list - and why $50 for an 8x10 is really quite reasonable. The following is just a list of just some of the things a photographer puts into every single wedding day.

Behind every portrait taken, is time. Time is invested in every step of the process by a professional photographer, and it is far more than just the 7-10 hours the photographer spends on the wedding day. By the time the wedding day arrives, your photographer has already spent many hours preparing for that wedding. Most couples do an engagement session which entails travel time, location scouting, photo editing and research. A professional photographer makes time for client meetings to understand your expectations, wedding day timelines, and then has to develop a detailed plan all while coordinating with your other wedding vendors. I pour myself into these meetings and each event can take up to 10-12 hours to do properly. One of the greatest time investments can be photo editing. An average wedding can take up to 40 hours to edit. However, It is a critical step that makes the difference between artistic photos and simple snapshots. I still cringe at the footstools accidentally left AND visible in half of my friends wedding photos. I’ve talked to plenty of couples who settled for inexperienced photographers with little to no editing experience and they regret their choice.

 Professional Photography Equipment Makes A Difference

Professional photographers invest in proven equipment and must reinvest to capture the latest technology.
This includes, but is not limited to:

• A primary camera
• A backup camera
• Extra batteries
• Memory cards
• Flashes… the list goes on and on.

In addition to my standard go-tos, I also go the extra step to rent unique lenses and equipment suitable to your venue. I always employ an assistant, or possibly a second shooter, to ensure that the results match the expectations of my clients. Another cost I must include is storage of data both external and cloud. These guarantee that if I have a computer problem your wedding memories will be safe.

What are some of the Expenses of A Professional Photographer?

In general most wedding photographers are single person run business and can incur many of the same costs as larger companies. Some of the less visible costs that a photographer must cover include:

• Professional licenses
• Rent
• Insurance and
• Business taxes
• Website hosting
• Online gallery fees
• The cost of samples
• Software.

These are just some of the expenses that many photographers may have. And all of them must be paid before the photographer takes any kind of salary.

Most importantly true professionals invest heavily in ongoing education. Ask your photographer what he or she has done in the last year to invest in their craft!

A wedding is a one-in-a-lifetime experience. I hope this helps you to understand the expense behind true professionalism. Take the time to get to know every vendor you are entrusting your memories to. You will see that having a qualified, experienced wedding photographer seamlessly capture your day is a worthwhile investment!