One thing that I never had to question when I was a bride was why I paid what I paid for my photographer since I knew before I even started shopping that there’s a lot behind the scenes when it comes to photography than just ‘pressing the button.’ However I am starting to realize that there are a lot of people out there that don’t realize what all goes on behind the scenes and why quality photographers charge what they do. I’m here to hopefully demystify that a bit for you and help you see why photographers charge what they do (well when they aren’t from Craigslist!). Dollar amounts do not always equal value in training, experience and artistic ability but more often than not if they are charging “that much” and often get “that much” it is because they are worth it.

The Hours Worked

What most brides and grooms think of when they think of what they are paying for their photographer is strictly the shooting time and any other items in the packages. When I show up and shoot an 8 hour wedding, yes, there will be times where I may not be shooting (i.e. during dinner) but for the vast majority of those 8 hours save for maybe those 10 – 15 minutes I’m eating, I am shooting. Even if there is a lull, I’m still thinking about the shoot, where to shoot or keeping my eye on what to shoot. I’ve worked many different jobs in my time and I’ll be the first to admit that at my past 8 hour workdays… I did not fully give 100% to those 8 hours like I do now. There would always be a chat with a co-worker about lunch, or dinner or whatnot. We all have done it! There are also downtimes too for weddings but you’ll rarely find me ‘down’ – I seem to always find something to do – the bride’s hair, makeup, bustling the train, bouquets… whatever I can do to help out the bride and/or groom I’m on it.

The Eye

Another part of what that fee for is simply that you are paying for your chosen photographer’s eye of the world and the training behind that eye. Everyone sees the world differently and each person takes away something different. For example, Picasso, Monet and Van Gough are all very famous painters – yet they all have a distinctive vision and use of their artistic eye. It’s very much the same thing when it comes to photography as each photographer sees a situation differently. I firmly believe that clients should also be looking at each photographers style as much as they are looking at price because in the end if you aren’t happy with the images and the style that they were taken in, no amount of money saved will counter that feeling of loss.

The Training

Even the most talented eye still has to know what they are shooting and how to shoot it and this is where the training comes into play. Your photographer should know everything about shooting in every type of light and situation and in manual modes. Program modes don’t cut it when it comes to wedding photography due to the varying extremes of situations we find ourselves in. Your photographer should be able to take you into any situation and shoot it – sun, dark chapel, rain – everywhere! Then there is the whole matter of lens choice. There’s a reason that some pictures look a certain way and it’s not JUST about the settings – it’s also about the choice of the lens shooting the scene. It all goes back to training and what part of that hourly fee is for – paying a photographer that is qualified to shoot the event.

The Editing

By far the one thing that most people do not think about is the massive undertaking in editing that comes AFTER a wedding is photographed. Each photographer is different but I choose to shoot my weddings in a RAW file format. So after the wedding I have to edit the RAW files to final images before I even touch Photoshop for the final edits. Currently for me it is taking about 8 – 12 hours of total edit time per 8 hour wedding, however I am VERY quick when it comes to editing (I’ve been working with Photoshop for over 10 years). Most wedding photographers easily have anywhere from 20 – 40 additional hours of work once they get home before digital proofs are ready to be seen. If you take the average of an additional 20 hours of ‘work’ you’ll find we’re already up to 28 hours worked for an 8 hour day.

The Gear

Anyone with a camera can take a picture, but it takes the right camera equipment to shoot a wedding. The cameras that most pros use cost upwards of $2000. Digital SLR cameras do not have built in lenses like point-and-shoot cameras do, so then you have to buy lenses. Professional Wedding Photographers will have many lenses that they carry – and each of those lenses can cost up to $2000 as well. Then there are flash units, batteries, and memory cards… it adds up!!! In addition to all of this gear, a true professional should have back up equipment available to every item – cameras, lenses and flashes. Each wedding that I attend, I have quite a lot of money hanging on my shoulders (thanks to yet another product that to me is essential, Shootsac). Are you eyes huge yet? Then add in the expensive computers that we have to use. In the past three years of pro work, I have literally melted down 3 PCs. I am now using a Mac Pro, which wasn’t cheap but it is worth its weight in gold. If THAT isn’t enough cost for you… there is the programs that we have to purchase to work on the images. If you’re ever bored, check out how much Photoshop actually costs – it isn’t cheap! All of this adds up to a LOT of money that we have to spend to shoot your wedding – and keep spending as gear wears out, technology changes and we learn new things.

The Experience

Finally, the one final reason that photographers charge so much is because they have the experience to back them up as to why they charge what they do. With each and every wedding I am constantly learning and applying that knowledge to future weddings. I can honestly say that my first professional wedding I did a great job at – but I know SO MUCH MORE now. I can’t imagine any other professional wedding photographer saying anything different. Everyone does start somewhere, but they will charge accordingly. You could get lucky and get someone that starts off handling weddings like they’ve been doing it their entire lives – or you could get someone that has no idea what they were getting themselves into and the photography will show it. Are you willing to gamble on your wedding photos for a few hundred dollars saved?

I hope that this blog helped future couples understand some of the reasons why photographers charge what they do.

Have any questions you would like answered? Agree or disagree with me? Comment and let me know!