How to Choose a Wedding Photographer (2024)

FAQs

How to pick the right photographer for your wedding? ›

Wedding photography prices range from $1,000 to $50,000 and higher in the United States. Although there's a great degree of variation in the total cost, the average is around $2,500 to $4,000, according to Los Angeles-based photographer Brandon Bibbins.

If you're having an international destination wedding and care deeply about your images and experience, you should spend anywhere from $5000-$9000, and a little more for photo/video. Most photographers charge travel for these, but some don't.

Look at sample photos: Check out the photographer's portfolio to see the quality of their work and make sure it meets your expectations. Decide what's important to you: Consider what you want to prioritize - whether it's having a wedding album or more edited photos - and look for packages that meet those needs.

The moral of the story is this: if you're tying the knot on a budget and you have your heart set on a photographer who is out of your price range, feel free to ask if he or she would be willing to meet you halfway. But do so tactfully.

Book early to avoid dissapointment

Most of my couples book their wedding photography 12-18 months in advance but it can be even more. I am due to photograph a wedding in 2020 that I was bookedf for in early 2018!

$10,000 Is Enough for Most Couples. Popular wedding sites claim the average wedding costs $29,000. Countless media reports have repeated that number while leaving out an important caveat: Averages can be misleading.

Ordinary number of pictures delivered by hours

To give you an idea, the average number of pictures delivered by a wedding photographer for one hour is between 50 up to 100 wedding photos. Most of the time I will deliver 800 to 1000 digital files for 12-hour reportage.

So how many hours do YOU need? Every wedding day is totally different, however, most couples need between 8 – 10 hours of photography coverage to make sure the getting ready portion of the day through the dance floor opening are photographed.

The straight answer? No. In a full wedding day shoot your wedding photographer will take thousands of photos. Among these are duplicates, test shots, and inevitably, a few where Uncle Bob blinked at the wrong time or a waiter walked in front of the lens just as you took a picture.

Does my wedding photographer own my photos? ›

When a wedding photographer (me, again) captures the a photo, they automatically own the copyright over the images they shoot – even though the pictures are of you. Most photographers these days include high-resolution versions of the photos, which you are free to print, post on social media, or etc.

If you want to have your wedding feel like, well, an ethereal piece of art, you should gravitate towards fine art photographers for your celebration. “Fine art photography is often a must-have for couples getting married,” explains Ashley.

Ordinary number of pictures delivered by hours

To give you an idea, the average number of pictures delivered by a wedding photographer for one hour is between 50 up to 100 wedding photos. Most of the time I will deliver 800 to 1000 digital files for 12-hour reportage.

Look beyond portfolio highlights. Viewing a full gallery or two of real weddings a photographer has shot will allow you to see a more comprehensive range, from family portraits to reception detail shots. “Look for honesty, truth, and emotional connection in a photographer's work.

For your photographer, a 10 percent tip on their rate is a good measure, or a tip of at least $100. For second shooters and photography assistants, a $50 to $75 tip per person is an appropriate and nice gesture.

To put it simply, the larger the wedding, the more important it is to have a second photographer. Let's say you're planning a full-day wedding with a large number of guests and you're looking for a full day of coverage, with no small moment uncaptured. In this scenario, two photographers are generally preferred.