One of the most crucial things to consider when organizing your wedding is the event’s photography. Your wedding pictures will be the only thing that lasts after your wedding is over. You will want a wedding album to reflect on your pictures and remember your special day. That’s why finding the right photographer for your wedding is important.
When you are planning your wedding, there are a lot of different things to think about. You need to consider what you will wear, the food, and how to get pictures of the wedding. This can be expensive, so you need to plan for the cost of wedding photography.
When planning a wedding, there are a lot of things you need to think about. But some things should be your top priority. Photography is one of those things. You’ll want to ensure you have good pictures from your wedding day.
Couples often don’t think that wedding photography is important. They think it’s too expensive. If you feel the same way, read this post.
This piece will cover everything you need to know regarding the costs associated with wedding photography.
Why is Wedding Photography so Important?
Your wedding is a very special day in your life. You should get a wedding album to make you have beautiful memories of your big day.
Wedding photography is very important to couples. Often, couples don’t pay enough attention to their wedding photography. This is a mistake because everything else about the wedding will disappear after the wedding is over. The only thing that will last a lifetime is your wedding album.
Think about all the rituals you will go through at your wedding and all the natural moments that will take place. Those are the moments that make up your wedding, and wedding photography is the only way to capture those moments for a lifetime.
Your children will see in your wedding album how stunning you both looked on the day of your wedding. They could possibly receive some inspiration for their own weddings by looking through your album. In addition to that, it is a fantastic way to revisit those memories.
Overall, wedding photography is a big expense. Make sure you choose the best photographer for your wedding.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Wedding Photographer?
The average cost for wedding photography varies depending on the photographer’s experience, in-demand, and where the wedding takes place. All of these factors affect how much the photographer will cost. Plus, photographers who are very talented and well-known usually charge more.
Prices for wedding photography can vary a lot, but there are some things you should always think about.
Average Wedding Photographer Cost
The average cost of wedding photography in the United States ranges from $1500-to $10000. In the Midwest, it can be between $3,000 and $5,000. In New York and Bay Area, prices for wedding photography can range from $2,500 to $5,000.
The cost of wedding photography is often based on the photographer’s experience and demand. Because most photographers change their pricing once a year, the price you see will typically reflect the level of experience that the photographer possesses.
What Are the Things That Are Included in the Price of a Wedding Photographer?
The following items are included in the cost of wedding photography:
- The wedding day will be covered for ten to twelve hours.
- A pre-wedding or engagement picture shoot, in addition to an online gallery with digital downloads
- You will be required to pay an additional fee to have your photographer stay for an extended period on your wedding day. Regarding additional hours, some photographers charge between $200 and $250 per hour.
- The price range for add-ons such as albums and prints will be between $300 and $1500, depending on the number of images you select.
- The price of the wedding videographer will be an additional expense.
Most wedding photographers do not offer videography services as part of their package. This is because photographers and videographers are often two separate businesses. However, some husband-and-wife teams provide both services.
Hiring a wedding videographer costs about as much as hiring a wedding photographer. For ten hours of coverage, in addition to a highlight clip that is five minutes long, you may anticipate paying anywhere from $1,500 to $5,000. In some cases, you may have to pay even more.
Now let’s look at some mistakes you should avoid while hiring a wedding photographer.
Avoid These 15 Mistakes When Hiring A Wedding Photographer
1. Hiring a Photographer Without Viewing His Work
Couples who are short on time often find it hard to research wedding photographers. If they are pressed for time, they may book a photographer a friend recommends. However, you should never do this! Examine his work first. It’s your wedding; be selective.
2. Blindly Trusting Their Acquaintance
It is unwise to blindly trust your acquaintance when choosing a wedding photographer. Before booking someone, you should see his work. Weddings are once-in-a-lifetime events, and making a mistake could be disastrous. It will only take a few hours of your time, but the outcome will be wonderful.
3. Not Meeting the Photographer in Person
It’s not a good idea to book a wedding photographer online. You need to meet the photographer before you hire him. This is so you can talk about what kind of photos you want and what the photographer’s role will be on your wedding day.
4. Choosing Quantity Above Quality
Most couples do not want lots of wedding images in their album. An album with many fat pages and bad images will not help you remember your wedding. Quality is important, so you should not sacrifice photo quality to save money. Relax and prioritize quality over quantity.
5. Hiring Two Photographers
In India, it is common for both sides of the family to have their own photographer. This can be expensive, though, because both photographers will be trying to get the best shots. It is better to have a single crew shoot photos for both sides.
You can save money by hiring a professional photographer for your home. You’ll get great photos that way.
6. Not Visiting the Wedding Venue
Many people do not have time to visit a wedding location before booking it. They might not think it is important or do it online. But your wedding location is important, not just for hosting guests but for other reasons too.
Before the wedding, have your photographer scout out good photo spots. This will help him capture the best memories. He can only do this if you give him details about the venue.
7. Asking for Raw Files
Couples sometimes ask for the photographer’s raw files, which are unedited photos. But a professional photographer will only offer edited photos. The photographer will only send you the files for the album.
8. Not Hiring a Professional Wedding Photographer
Many couples don’t hire a professional photographer for their wedding because they think it’s too expensive. But this is not the right way to think about it.
Wedding photography is a big expense, so you shouldn’t try to save money by skipping it or hiring someone off the street to take your pictures. You will only have one opportunity to get married, so you should create unforgettable memories. That is why it is important to hire a professional photographer.
9. Not Cooperating With the Wedding Photographer
Wedding preparations can be very tiring. It’s understandable if you’re upset because of the recent chaos caused by the groom’s sister. But don’t worry, these issues may get resolved. Your photographs will still look beautiful even if you don’t cooperate with your photographer for some reason. Trust your wedding photographer to take great pictures.
10. Missing Key Details
Your wedding is a very important day, so you want to ensure that you have a photographer who will capture all the special moments. You can save money by not employing a photographer for the reception or other pre-wedding events. You can avoid many expenses, which will help you stay within your budget.
For example, the second pair of shoes you want to purchase for your wedding day. What is the need? There is only one pair of shoes required for the wedding. So, buy the one that best suits your wedding attire and save the rest of the money.
11. Not Having a Pre-wedding Shoot
Pre-wedding and engagement shoots can help you get used to being in front of the camera. They also help the couple bond and get to know the photographer better.
12. Not Preparing the Photo List in Advance
You have a professional photographer, but you must tell him what shots to take. You should tell him in advance what family and staged pictures you want.
13. Booking the Photographer Last Minute
It can be frustrating to wait until the last minute to book a photographer for your wedding. This can cause a lot of stress. That’s why it’s always a good idea to book a photographer at least ten months before your wedding day.
You may think you can wait to book a photographer, but they will all be booked by then. Wedding photography is unlike a honeymoon package or vacation booking where seats are still available if you wait until the last minute. The best photographers will be booked first, and the cost of their services goes up.
Book your wedding photographer immediately if you know your wedding date and venue. This is so you can have pictures of your big day!
14. Not Signing a Legal Contract
You hired a wedding photographer that you know, someone who is recommended, or a friend. This was not a good idea. You are not legally protected if there are any problems with the photography project. Before hiring the photographer, you should have signed a contract to avoid future conflicts or problems.
Read the agreement carefully and make sure that you understand everything in it. This includes the number of raw and processed photos, the duration or number of hours, the delivery time, liability, image ownership, payment conditions, booking price, usage rights, etc. Make sure that everything is in writing so that there are no misunderstandings. This will help both parties work better and achieve more.
15. Leaving a Good Photographer Just for Some Dollars
It is not a good idea to save money on your photographer. More often than not, couples end up regretting it because the pictures turn out bad.
Photography for a wedding can be expensive. You should have a separate budget just for photography. That will help you choose the right photographer without any stress.
Making these errors can damage your wedding photos. That is why it is important to avoid these errors and hire a good wedding photographer.
