How much does
professional photography cost for your wedding?
Learn how to set a realistic photography budget with
this guide to wedding photography prices and rates.
The Going Rate for Professional Photography
When determining your wedding photography budget,
keep in mind that you get what you pay for. You
should expect to spend at least $1000 on having a
professional wedding photographer document your
wedding (not including the actual prints and other
extras). Rates, of course, will vary depending on
skill level, experience and geographic region (metro
areas are usually considerably higher). The size of
your wedding can also affect the photography cost,
as additional guests may increase the amount of time
that the photographer must spend at your event. For
instance, for an event of less than 100 guests, a
wedding photographer will typically dedicate
four-six hours of time. For a larger wedding of 300
or more guests, a photographer may have to spend
eight-ten hours on the job.
Comparing Photographer Rates
Most wedding photographers will give general pricing
information over the phone or on their websites, so
you can use an initial online search or phone call
as your first step towards finding a photographer
that suits your budget. In comparing photography
costs, remember that different photographers offer
different packages - so initial rates can be
misleading. Some rates only include the
photographer's time, while prints and albums are
extra. Other photography packages may include
proofs, a set number of prints and an album.
Determine what services and options you want first,
then compare photographers' rates for providing
those specific options to determine which
professional works within your wedding photography
budget. This article offers even more tips on
comparing
professional photography
services.
Creative Ways to Save on Wedding Photography
Prices
If you simply must have a certain photographer who
commands higher rates, consider these ways to save
on your photography budget:
-
Buy
a more basic wedding photography package with
less prints and albums
-
Negotiate and switch out an engagement portrait
for an additional parent's album
Get even more ways to
save on
wedding photography prices.
Photography Contract Points
When reviewing your contract with a potential
photographer, make sure that it is specifically
clear in what it covers. Consider these questions:
-
Do
you need to make a deposit?
-
What is the cancellation policy? Will you get
anything back?
-
Is
any travel time considered an extra or included
in the bill?
-
Are
you entitled to final prints only, or can you
obtain all of the proofs?
Now that you're an
expert on photography costs and budgeting skills,
this complete guide to
wedding photography
will take you the rest of the way towards hiring and
working with a photographer and planning your
wedding day shots.
By:
Cori Russell
About the Author
Cori Russell is editor
for Elegala.com and Gala Weddings Magazine.
Elegala.com is a complete
Weddings and Wedding Planning
resource with a national directory of
wedding venues and services,
how-to guides, photo galleries, checklists, and
expert advice to walk brides through every step of
the wedding planning process.
View the complete
sitemap
to find everything you need to plan your wedding.
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Wedding Photography Prices Guide – How to Set Your
Photography Budget
