How much does a wedding photographer cost?
UK wedding photography prices start from around, on average, £1,500 for a wedding. As a professional wedding photographer, I try to make my cost as clear and straightforward as possible. I offer two full day collections of £1600 and £2600. My half day and micro collections are also available from Monday – Thursday. Essentially, from our first meeting to receiving your album, we go on a wonderful journey together.
There are certain things that can affect the price of your wedding photography that you can take into account before booking your wedding photographer.
Pricing is one of those topics which often causes people some confusion – especially when they have little idea of what’s involved in getting their photographs taken professionally! In this article, I will try to explain the issues surrounding wedding photography pricing in an objective and unbiased way.
What makes a photographer a professional wedding photographer?
The industry isn’t regulated and we don’t need to study exams to become professional wedding photographers. So most people can buy basic cameras online, grab a website and give the impression of a professional photographer. Of course, if you like the look of the images you see within their portfolio and the fee fits your budget, then you can take a gamble. However, a professional photographer brings much more to the table than an amateur.
The professional photographer will have years of valuable experience that only come from practising the craft for many years. This experience will be passed down to you, in order to make your day run smoothly and efficiently – which means you’ll get much more than wonderful photos.
If your intent is to hire a professional wedding photographer, then it’s important that you look at some different features that are more relevant to how they work on your big day. Will they provide all of their own equipment? Are they insured? Do they have a wide circle of photographer associates they can call upon should they be ill on the day? Do they present themselves professionally on the day? Are they prompt to reply to your questions? It’s these small details that make all the difference!
Why is wedding photography so expensive?
Wedding photography is one of the most expensive parts of a wedding. A wedding photographer costs anywhere from £1,000 – £10,000+, which can be a lot for many people to afford. However, it is important to understand how choosing a professional wedding photographer may contribute to how your day is remembered for years to come.
The average wedding photographer cost will depend on factors such as when your wedding is, how many hours are required, are their additional extras included such as a second shooter, wedding albums, travel costs and of course, the experience of the photographer.
It’s more than just photos!
There are many more factors that go into a wedding package – you’re not just paying for the time on the day. You’re paying for how the photographer would like to tell your story. A professional wedding photographer will (should) take time to get to know you, how you met and how you feel about each other. They want to be part of how your big day unfolds! There should be an investment from your chosen photographer in you and this takes time and skill. All these elements are worth their weight in gold!
Photography is an investment
Wedding photography is not just something for the wedding day; it’s something you’ll have in your life that you can share with your family and friends. As with everything costs can vary – some are cheaper and some are more expensive: as a rough idea for a full-day coverage you may be looking anywhere from £1000 to £2 000+
Don’t buy on price alone
When looking for talented wedding photographers, don’t make price your primary concern – although this is a consideration. You also need to think about how confident you feel with them.
Wedding days are long, so you’ll be spending a fair bit of time with your photographer. It’s important, therefore to have a great rapport with your photographer. Make sure you click (excuse the pun) and feel a connection before committing to a wedding package. A Zoom chat with your photographer is a great way to see how you feel about them and how they work.
Other things to consider when choosing the right photographer
Ask for some references/investigate their reviews, how long have they been in the industry? How many weddings have they photographed before? Do they provide all of their own equipment or do you have to hire anything else too? Do they have insurance so if anything goes wrong, you are covered? Does the package include an engagement shoot or a second shooter? Does it include an online gallery? All these questions will help you decide how much money you are willing to spend on your wedding photos.
Why do photography costs vary?
Experienced photographers capture hundreds of weddings and a huge portfolio of weddings that you can see throughout their work. Hiring an experienced photographer makes you less worried as they know where exactly to be and where to find the perfect photos you deserve. Of course, this experience comes at a cost but will give you that peace of mind when you’re feeling stressed or anxious!
Cheap Wedding Photography
The budget photographer offers a low fee for a couple of reasons:
They under-value their profession. They are looking for more work and charge less to land the deal.
It’s a hobby and your wedding day won’t be their priority.
They have a smaller portfolio and haven’t perfected how they work yet – this means you’ll be anxious that the shots will not look how you want them to look.
Just remember: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! Professional wedding photographers put their heart and soul into how your wedding day unfolds and how they capture it.
Choosing how much to spend on wedding photography?
You first need to decide how important your wedding photographs are and how much they mean to you. A good starting point (in my opinion) would be all day packages that start from at least £1250. Will you find it cheaper? Of course! Could they be great? Possibly! But it’s worth remembering that choosing on price alone is just one factor to consider!
Conclusion
The decision of how much to spend on wedding photography can be a difficult one. You want your memories captured in the best way possible and you’ll likely have invested time, effort and emotion into planning them out. Remember that not all photographers are equal; some may offer lower prices but also less experience or quality of work than others. When deciding how much money is right for you, consider how important it is to capture these memories with great photos and how long they will last through generations of family members who enjoy them!
About Helen
I am a wedding photographer based in Hertfordshire and I love to capture the memories of your special day.
My work is natural, relaxed and unobtrusive which means you can feel confident when it comes to my photography. Your photographs will be beautifully captured using an artistic eye with a contemporary approach.
What are your Collection Prices Helen Weir Photography?
Click on the link to view my Collections and their prices
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