This is probably one of the most controversial topics in the wedding industry. What is the average cost of a wedding photographer? Places, like The Knot, say one thing while others say something else.

Let me start this blog post by saying this: The average cost of a wedding photographer varies greatly and is dependent on many factors. Factors such as the photographer’s experience level, education, service areas, cost of living, cost of doing business, and financial goals. Each year, I reevaluate my numbers and adjust them based on these and other variables. All that to say, price ranges vary and that’s normal.

As a photographer who has now been in the industry for 13+ years (yikes I’m getting old), the following information comes from my own lived experience. I started, as we all do, very green and inexperienced. As I learned more and improved my art and client experience, my numbers reflected that growth and elevated experience. While I know there’s always room for growth, I can confidently say that I’m an expert and experienced wedding photographer. And I invite you to see if I’m the wedding photographer for you.

The average cost of a wedding photographer

An inexperienced wedding photographer will (and should) cost less than a photographer with years of experience under her belt. Not because she isn’t a quality photographer or that her potential is less. But rather, for the simple fact that she is inexperienced. Inexperience comes with inherently more risk on the buyer’s end. More could go wrong that could lead a client to be unhappy with their images.

And it’s not just technical inexperience that I’m talking about either. Weddings are productions; a dance production if you’ll allow me that analogy. And like a professional dance company, each wedding vendor has to keep the show going no matter what – especially when shit doesn’t go as planned. And like many professional dance performances, shit will happen that you don’t expect, and we can’t let the audience know. Newer photographers just don’t have the experience to keep all of those balls in the air when a wedding doesn’t go 100% to plan. Something will unfortunately be sacrificed and that could be your photography.

So, what is the average cost of an inexperienced wedding photographer? On average, a wedding photographer with fewer than 2 years of wedding photography experience, will charge about $3K or less. As I mentioned before, that comes with a lot of risk. That said, we all started somewhere and needed someone to take a risk on us. If you plan to go this route for your own wedding photography, please do your research!

Additionally, photographers in this price range very likely do photography in addition to their full-time job. That, or they’re photographing a TON of weddings. If they’re the latter, you’re almost certainly not getting their best attention, creativity, or likely their best work. And they’re probably on the road to total and utter burnout.

A moderately experienced wedding photographer, once with a few more years under their belt, typically costs between $4-7K. Photographers in this range may or may not be full-time wedding photographers and they probably book between 15-30 weddings each year. Their client experience, while not bad, probably isn’t very personal or intentional. That’s not always the case of course, but their attention is most certainly split between many clients.

The cost of an experienced wedding photographer usually starts somewhere in the $8-10k+ range. They will have many more years of experience (think 10+) and are almost always full-time photographers. These expert wedding photographers invest heavily in their craft and client experience. They attend master photography classes, workshops, and retreats each year. As for their workload, they take on a limited amount of weddings each year (typically fewer than 15 weddings). I should also mention that coverage at this level often extends beyond just the wedding day (rehearsal dinners, welcome parties, day-after brunches, etc).

When you hire an experienced photographer (like yours truly), you can trust that you’ll get intentional, personalized attention. You’re not just a number to them! They are deeply invested in you, your love story, and the success of your wedding. In my humble opinion, if you have the budget to hire an experienced photographer, you absolutely should! There’s very little risk on the client’s end when you do. Of course, please make sure you like their work and personality before you sign a contract.

I won’t talk too much about ultra-experienced luxury wedding photographers, mostly because I’m not one (yet). But my mentors fall into this category, so this is second-hand pricing information. Ultra-experienced photographers have about 20+ years of experience and probably photograph luxury or ultra-luxury weddings. It’s not unusual for ultra-experienced wedding photographers to start around $20k.

Why is that the average cost of a wedding photographer?

Wedding photography is an investment and even the act of hosting a wedding is a luxury. That might be a hot topic but you don’t need a huge wedding event in order to get married. That’s why a lot of people choose to get married at city hall every year.

You’re investing in a professional artist who has spent years working, learning, and fine-tuning her craft. Your photographer has the same responsibilities adults with typical 9-5 jobs have. We have to cover our costs of doing business, pay taxes, save for retirement, pay our mortgage, pay for health and business insurance, put kids through school, and put food on the table.

If you’ve ever thought the following: “Why should I pay someone $X if all they do is click a button for 8-12 hours one day a week and slap a filter on some images?” Allow me to explain why you need to immediately change your thinking.

There are so many tasks we do behind the scenes that take time. Lots and lots of time. The following are just some of the things you’re paying your wedding photographer to do:

• Perfectly compose images of you, your partner, your family, your friends;
• Flawlessly style and compose images of all your wedding details for you and all of your wedding vendors;
• To be on their feet for 8+ hours without them taking too much a break;
• Coordinate, pose, and photograph large groups of individuals who oftentimes are drunk, unruly, and unwilling to cooperate with instructions;
• To exquisitely edit all your wedding images so that they are timeless and look great 50+ years down the road.

Essentially, you’re paying your wedding photographer to be excellent at everything before, during, and after the wedding day. And in contrast to portrait photographers who can redo their sessions if necessary, wedding photographers only get one chance to get it right. Weddings aren’t something we can redo. That equates to one tall order.

The saying “You get what you pay for” is so true, especially when it comes to your wedding photographer. If you don’t have the budget to hire an experienced photographer, that’s ok. But please, for the love of god, set your expectations appropriately and do your research. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard people say, “I regret going with the cheap option” or “I shouldn’t have had my family friend photograph my wedding” or other variations of the same thing. It breaks my heart. When you invest in your wedding photography by hiring an experienced photographer like me, you’re investing in yourself and your memories.

If you care deeply about your wedding photography, plan to work your wedding budget in a way so you can afford to hire an experienced wedding photographer.

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