How Much Should You Budget
Couples frequently ask whether wedding photography is worth such a significant investment when actually on the big day itself, there is nothing to show for it. Only you can decide that, but what we can do is give you an insight into where your money is being spent, and how much a good photographer should actually cost you and what a top photographer will give you after your wedding day.
Budget Vs Price
Youve probably heard it before but with wedding photography you really do get what you pay for. If, when you prioritise the items on your wedding shopping list, photography is in your top three, you will need to be prepared to put aside 10-15% of your budget for it.
Most photographers offer a scale of wedding photography packages starting from the most basic, which involves one photographer, a set number of hours, to a comprehensive solution where you have two photographers shadowing you from the moment you wake until you wave goodbye, and hundreds of expertly edited photos in a beautiful presented photos that shall bring back many emotions as you relive the day go through it.
More is not always better with photography. It is better to have a basic package from a photographer you love than a large album from someone whose style doesnt match your own, or you hired because they were cheap. If you need more convincing read our interview with a bride who really regretted her decision not to have a professional photograph her wedding.
What Is The Average Cost Of A Wedding Photographer In Nova Scotia
The beginner, the amateur, the semi-pro and the professional wedding photographers which Ive spoken about in length above are listed below. The cost for each includes a total dollar amount based on an 8 hour wedding day, which is considered full day coverage, as well as the hourly rate you could expect from this type of wedding photographer. The average cost of wedding photographers and wedding photography packages in Nova Scotia is approximately $2000.
Beginner Photographer $250-$999 or $75-125/hourEstablished Amateur $1000-$1999 or $150-200/hourSemi-Pro $2000-$2999 or $225-350/hourProfessional Photographer $3000+ or $375+/hour
If you want the best wedding photography services for your wedding in Nova Scotia, do not be frugal when hiring your wedding photographer. Remember that the quality of the photography services you choose will correlate with the investment you are willing to make for your wedding day memories. To view my wedding photography prices click here.
Average Cost Of Wedding Photographer In California Reference Table
Expert Tip: Want to know the questions you should be asking a wedding photographer before you hire them? Read our post breaking down all the most important questions and why you should be asking.
Want us to be your guide? Schedule a FREE Consultation with us and we can help you identify the wedding photographer that is the best fit for your needs & budget!!!
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Continue To Revisit Pricing
Pricing isnt a once-and-done kind of deal. As your business grows, revisit your pricing. Whats working and whats not? What packages do most of your bride and groom select? Do couples often ask for an option that you currently dont have?
As your business grows, wedding photography prices shouldnt stay stagnant. As you gain more experience, hone your style and offer more value, revisit that price list and make adjustments.
Dont keep beginners prices when you are already a professional photographer. Try revisiting your prices every year during the slow season. Or decide to adjust prices every time you book a certain number of weddings.
The Equipment The Wedding Photographer Owns
The Beginner & Amateur Wedding Photographer
Most beginners and amateurs in wedding photography will have consumer grade equipment.
They will likely shoot in auto mode and may not know how to truly use their equipment with respect to white balance and reading light in a room. This was me in 2006, I had just started to teach myself manual mode. I speak from experience.
They may not even know how to use a speedlight. Be wary of a photographer who states they are a natural light photographer. Your next question should be, do you use a speedlight if you need to in low light situations? If they dont respond yes I would be worried they dont know how to.
They will not have backup equipment. What happens if their equipment fails? This should be another question asked by couples to their wedding photographers.
The Semi-Pro & Pro Photographer
More seasoned wedding photographers will be using pro grade equipment. They will definitely be shooting in manual mode, controlling every aspect of their camera. These photographers will understand different lighting situations and know how to deal with them. They will bring lighting gear with them whether they need it or not. They will have back up equipment for every situation. Myself, I have 4 camera bodies, 5 lenses, 4 speedlights and 4 led lights, Ive got you covered.
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Is An Engagement Session Usually Included In The Price
Photographers quite often include it in the total price, however, they always list it separately. Typically, a price for an engagement photoshoot can range from $150 to $600. It includes a photoshoot and access to an online gallery of your photos.
Some photographers can also send you a USB stick. Usually, you can also change your outfits during a shoot, however, in some cases, you will need to pay extra to do it.
Family Photo Shoot Prices
Family photo shoot prices start at $145 for a 30-minute session at one location, and from $399 to $1,099 in metropolitan areas. If you spend around $445, then you can get photos in up to three locations with wardrobe changes, as well as credit toward albums and prints.
Cheaper packages offer a 30-minute session with around 15 edited digital images, while more expensive sessions may include a photo shoot of up to 2 hours in 2 locations, unlimited digital images and a large canvas print.
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Detail Exactly Whats Included
Do your clients know exactly what they are getting and what they will pay for it? One couple recently ruined a photographers business by claiming she was holding the photos hostage until they paid a $150 fee for the album. The photographer won the lawsuit because the fee was in her contract.
The lesson here? Include absolutely every fee in the contract. But you should also be sure to go over each fee. If theres more than one package fee, highlight it in case the couple skimmed through the legalese of the wedding contract.
List everything thats included in the contract, even if its something small. Make sure to state whether or not digital files and reprint rights are included as well.
What Questions Should You Ask A Wedding Photographer
Beyond the expertise and cost of a professional, there are questions to ask a wedding photographer. These questions are important and will guide you on whom to hire.
You dont want to work with someone who will make a real mess of your day. It is better to work with a guide of what youre dealing with.
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What Do They Include
Most packages include at least the following:
- Time spent filming
- Number of Videographers and staff
- Equipment Used
- How the Video Is Delivered and format
- Any travel or other expenses
Some also include extras and add-ons such as:
- Additional photos or a photo album
- An exclusive wedding box to protect the USB drive
- Sneak peek video to be played during the reception
- Drone footage
- Custom music selections
- Price estimates for these different packages.
The average wedding video cost varies significantly, depending on what is included. Here is an example of a typical package that starts at around $3,500 in Brisbane.
How Much Should Wedding Photography Cost
If you have looked at wedding photography pricing, you are possibly aware by now of how expensive wedding photography can be. Its a figure that seems to have stayed almost constant for the last five years.
With a wedding photographer being in the top three things to prioritise for a wedding, most websites will advise that you should set aside 10-15% of your budget for a wedding photographer.
10-15% of your budget, now that is a lot of money. It is especially a lot of money if you are on a tight budget, to begin with.
What is it though that drives the cost of a wedding photographer? This was a question that I asked myself when I saw a question from a new wedding photographer asking for advice on pricing.
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What Is The Average Cost Of Wedding Photography In 2021
Whether you prefer the subtle hues and delicate lighting fixtures of a romantic-themed wedding or the rustic flair of vintage-themed events, most soon-to-be newlyweds will understand the importance of a quality wedding photographer. DIY your floral centerpieces, handpick your color schemes, even choose your ideal reception venue, but leave your wedding photography to the experts.
For most brides and grooms, you only get married once, making your wedding day a memory youll treasure forever. What better way to capture the scrapbook-worthy moments and raw emotion of your big day than with breathtaking wedding photography?
When drafting your wedding budget, youll need to rank these costs in terms of priority. How much should you set aside for your wedding photographer after agreeing that high-quality wedding photography is a must-have? The answer will vary depending on a multitude of factors.
Dont spend your limited wedding planning time frantically searching for answers to your photography-related questions. Heres an in-depth look at the average cost of wedding photography services, so you devote your time and energy to creating your registry, planning your honeymoon, and writing your heartfelt vows.
When searching for the wedding photographer that complements your unique style, look to experts like conveystudios.com.
These professionals will document your special day from that magical first kiss to the high-energy couple send-off, sparklers and all.
How Much Money Can You Earn As A Wedding Photographer
How much should a wedding photographer charge for a wedding? The answer will depend on a lot of factors.
Your region, gear, travel expenses and extra services influence your prices. We discuss these in details in our list below.
The average cost of a wedding photographer is around $2000 in the US. In general, wedding photographer prices range between $1150 and $3000. Wedding photographers in big cities tend to charge higher prices than the ones in other areas.
In the UK, wedding photographers average cost is around £1,590. This is almost the same price as in the US. Meanwhile, in Eastern European countries, wedding photographer prices are lower. The average cost of a wedding photographer is between $900 and $1130.
Why are we listing these rates? To give you a general idea about the prices wedding photographers ask for. And to make you realize that the worth of your wedding photos can vary.
Not sure where to start? Here are 13 tips to help you to determine how much to charge for wedding photography.
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The Cost Of Assistant Photographers
: $50-$75 more/hour
An additional photographer is often needed at weddings to take the extra shots a single photographer simply cannot be there for.
Even if another photographer is not needed, a photographer will often hire an assistant to, for instance, hold reflectors for family shots or carry equipment. Simply put, if you dont have two photographers for your wedding, important moments can be missed forever.
Factors That Can Impact A Wedding Photographers Price
In what city do you live? The cost of living is higher in some areas and photographers there will cost more.
How much travel will be involved to get to your wedding? Remote locations may mean youre booking a wedding photographer from a bigger city and paying them to travel to your wedding.
How much experience does your photographer have? A photographer with 10-20 years of experience will charge more than someone just starting out.
What equipment does your photographer use? High-end equipment and lenses can result in clearer, better images in skilled hands.
Does your photographer shoot film? If the dreamy, classic look of film makes your heart happy, be prepared to pay a higher rate. The added expenses of purchasing film stock, shipping, developing, and scanning the film mean that the film and hybrid photographer will cost more to cover these added expenses.
Is your photographer in demand? Because there are only so many weekends available in a year, these dates would fill up right away with a high-demand photographer. So really popular wedding photographers will charge more.
Has your photographer been published on wedding blogs or magazines? This notoriety usually helps make them more in demand, and they may charge more.
How much education has your photographer had? Photographers who have invested a lot of time and money into perfecting their skill will charge more than those who are still figuring things out.
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Do You Want Engagement Photos
Many photographers include an engagement session in their most popular wedding packages, but for others its an add-on. Not only are they GREAT practice for working with your photographer before the wedding day, but it is also so nice to have professional photos of yourselves in more casual clothes . They are also amazing for getting cute photos of your dog if they cant come to your wedding 🙂 But there are also plenty of reasons to skip the engagements , so consider how important these are to you and how they are included in the photographers prices.
The Long And Short Of It
Weddings fall primarily into two categories here in Muskoka, elopements and then the more standard full day coverage.
Full Day Weddings :The key pricing criteria of any wedding photographers pricing is how much time you need them for. In cities like Toronto, distances between homes/hotels, ceremony and reception often require additional time for travel . However, in Muskoka weddings often take place at resorts or cottages where little additional travel is needed. As a result, 8 hours of coverage is typically sufficient to cover getting ready photos through to the first dances later in the evening.
Secondary considerations in wedding photography pricing would be add-ons like engagement sessions as well as albums and prints. Packages often include one or more of these options.
Elopements :Elopements and smaller micro-weddings have become very popular the past few years. The costs of weddings can get out of hand quickly and I see couples more and more opting for a significantly scaled down affair with just their closest family and friends in attendance. The financial benefit is obvious less money on a wedding leaves more for future home and family plans. Elopement coverage tends to be 2-3 hours and for mirco-weddings, 3-5 hours of photography seems to be the sweet-spot.
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