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!
- The Christy House Wedding with Ashley and Stephon - March 11, 2024
- Peninsula Wedding with Colleen and Eric - March 10, 2024
- Winter Inn Walden Wedding with Julia and Walter - February 29, 2024
This is a great post, Corey. I was thinking about posting a similar entry. There was one I found recently on a wedding planner’s blog. Thought I had it bookmarked but I can’t find it now. Anyway, great post, Corey!
thank you for your post! i’ve tried to explain it several times over and they just never seem to get it. while the shooting day is hard enough work in itself, non-stop on your feet running and no time for a break. yes, we’ll not even add in all the “extra” stuff you end up doing to help out with every little thing. there is way more that goes into it once all is said and done. when you factor in your time, travel, equipment etc… it’s very little pay in the end (but a fabulous job for those of us that dreamt of it since childhood no doubt!).
i’m crazy picky about the final images that go out, the general proofing doesn’t take so long (THANK YOU! batching!) but the finalizing and then the cuts take me the longest! ;o)
Coming from an amateur in photography, Thank you for this post. I am one of those “craiglist” photographers. Actually the first ad I posted was last month just to get a little experience. It is amazing the “business” you will get when your offering basically free services. I have realized the work that goes into it and you are %100 percent correct. Second shooting at weddings for other professionals is also something I will do for a long while before going out on my own and charging the prices that lets people know I know I’m worth it. I have had people ask me recently why am I only charging gas money to go out and take pictures for people. This is why. Its not something you learn over night. Even the Pros are constantly learning. I am shooting RAW and the time it takes to Edit is exhausting and I have yet to learn Manual mode. I have been told more than once that it the only way to shoot. Within a Year I hope to have started my business. Thank you for your perspective. Many Many people need to know this Information when considering their photographer.
Great post girl!
Thank you so much for posting this. My fiance is giving me such a hard time about the photography part of our wedding and truly doesn’t understand why it isn’t a few hundred dollars instead of a few thousand. Maybe this will help his get a better grasp of it all.
And then again, maybe it won’t.
Great post. I also need to post something like this post on my blog. Thanks.
Great post! I think people also tend to forget that we’re running a business and that a substantial portion of that fee (sometimes up to 50%!) goes to The Man and to purchasing the products that are included in their packages. While this is no different than any other small business owner, people don’t think about it when it comes to their wedding photographers. So take that 50%, split it in half if you work with a spouse, divide that by the number of hours worked and then you’ll get a better idea of what we’re actually making to produce the art that people will cherish for generations to come. Anyway, thanks for posting this, it’s good to see this open dialogue happening.
Thank you for posting this. It’s so right and so important to communicate. I had a bride tonight think my base of $1,400 was too expensive and here I’ve been thinking it’s too cheap. Oh to meet a truly educated bride! Maybe this post will help!!
I love this post. I wish I was as brave as you to post something like this.. I’m slightly frustrated with lots of brides trying to haggle me down lately
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