Average Wedding Photographer Cost 2024
How much does a wedding photographer cost in 2024?
You’ve started ticking off your wedding planning to-do list, and you’ve worked out a rough budget for each supplier. Then this little question has come to mind: “How much should I spend on my wedding photography?” If that was a massive yes then this is the article you need to read.
There are so many options to choose from and everyone seems to have a different price, making it quite tough for you to get an idea on the average cost of a wedding photographer. Also, you’ve most probably seen countless blogs telling you to spend a specific amount, or even a percentage.
However, I’m here to offer you guidance to make sure you find the photographer at the right wedding photography price.
So let’s dispel the myths and guide you through each section. Once you read this post about “Average Wedding Photographer Cost” you’ll have a full understanding of:
So let’s dive in and help you have a full understanding of wedding photographer cost …
How Much Do Wedding Photographers Cost?
The average price for a wedding photographer can be hugely debated because there’s a lot of outside influential factors – the three main ones are experience, location, and values that a photographer brings. So you need to make sure you pick the RIGHT photographer instead of just the average wedding photographer.
Here’s what you need to be asking yourself rather than basing your decision on an average – “How much does a wedding photographer cost that offers an amazing experience as well as focusing on what we as a couple value most?” With this in mind you’ll find it a lot easier to differentiate between and find a photographer you love rather than based on an average. You just know you’ll be in safe hand and that you’ll have so many amazing memories to look back on.
Let’s break down the cost of a wedding photographer by experience & what to expect:
Beginner | £0 – £800:
A photographer is just breaking into the wedding industry, and potentially, this could be their first wedding as a photographer.
How could this affect you? Honestly, going for a photographer at this level is a gamble. You may find it’s your lucky day and find an absolute gem of a wedding photographer. However, they might not be able to adapt easily to different wedding situations, and you may feel awkward in front of them due to their lack of experience. Equipment-wise, you will probably find they have basic camera equipment and are unlikely to have any flash (which is definitely needed if you want amazing dance floor photos).
Enthusiast | £800 – £1,600:
These photographers have a few weddings under their belt and offer a good balance of quality and affordability. They are usually developing their own unique style and can handle most wedding situations competently.
How could this affect you? They will have started to establish a portfolio so you can get an understanding of the photos you’ll likely receive, and they will of started to get a greater range of photography equipment but may still be inexperienced with different lighting environments. At this stage, it is unlikely that this is their main profession, so they might not be able to offer you the level of service you desire.
Professional | £1,600-£4,000:
With significant experience and a well-established style, these photographers are in demand and deliver high-quality, consistent results.
How could this affect you? Professionals will book out their calendars well in advance so reach out as soon as you know you love the experience they offer and the final product. As well as this they often include extras like engagement sessions, second shooters, and beautifully crafted albums.
Luxury | £4,000+:
Top-tier wedding photographers who offer bespoke services tailored to your needs. They provide exceptional quality, extensive pre-wedding consultations, multiple photographers, and heirloom-quality albums. Ideal for high-profile weddings and those seeking the absolute best.
How could this affect you? This is the best of the best, from the service you receive to the final products. The quality is of the highest of standards. You will not have to worry about your photos
How Much Should I Spend On Wedding Photos? (and the 10 percent myth)
So how much should I spend on wedding photos? There isn’t really a quick answer to this, as the number can vary anywhere from 0-£10,000+. So this doesn’t make it easy.
But I’m guessing you’ve heard this little myth … you should set aside just 10 percent of your wedding budget for wedding photography. I’m not here to say that this is a bad amount to set aside, but what you value most might not help you create your dream wedding.
The main problem with the 10 percent rule is that, if your number one priority is to have lasting memories and photos, maybe you want to stretch a bit further than 10 percent. Personally, I’ve found that a large number of couples would rather cut different parts of their budget – such as the guest list – before they consider changing their wedding photography budget.
Couples have found this next bit super valuable. Have you thought about approaching your budget from a different angle? Work out your must haves. For instance, if memories are your number one priority, build your budget around booking the wedding photographer you love. Then start by splitting the rest of your budget according to the list of your values/priorities.
What Can Have An Impact On A Wedding Photographers Price?
You’re going to have heard this saying before. But honestly, you really do get what you pay for when choosing your wedding photographer. The more a photographer develops their skills and levels up their service, the more in demand they become. In turn, they begin to raise their prices so they can continue to deliver the same or a higher level of service without taking on too many couples.
Let’s take a look at a few of the influential factors on wedding photographer cost:
Location
Location has a big impact on price. Typically, the larger the area or city, the higher the average price for a wedding photographer. For instance, in London, where the cost of living is far greater than, say, Cornwall, the price of a wedding photographer will be higher.
Expertise
Expertise in the photography industry can be described as how able a photographer is to photograph any given wedding. Expertise and experience tend to go hand in hand, however, there can be some anomalies. Some experienced wedding photographers with more than 10 years of experience may not have the same technical abilities as a photographer who has been in the industry for only 5 years. Due to this, you’ll find another section all about experience.
What does expertise involve?
The greater level of expertise the photographer offers will come with an increased price because it directly correlates to their desirability and demand. Looking at reviews and full wedding galleries are a good way to understand the level of expertise a photographer offers. It is also worth checking their social media channels, as sometimes you’ll be able to see more recent work in different lighting environments.
Experience
Years in the wedding industry bring not only technical skills but also the ability to solve problems on the fly. Experience is one skill that shouldn’t be undervalued. It is without doubt that the more weddings a photographer has photographed, the more likely they are to face mishaps and, in turn, know how to deal with a variety of situations on the spot. For example, last minute schedule changes, tension between loved ones, pre-wedding nerves, etc.
Has your photographer been to your wedding venue before? That shouldn’t matter for an experienced photographer, as their know-how will allow them to deal with any situation. However, a few experienced photographers like to visit your venue to get an idea of the perfect location for couple photos, family portraits, etc.
Remember, though, that a photographer who does this is likely to be above your average cost.
Style
Style is the unique experience and overall look of the photos. Photography style is highly subjective; it is developed through experience and affects the way the photographer takes and edits the photos.
Do you prefer vibrant and true to life, or maybe bright and timeless, or maybe you’d like your photos to be dark and moody? These styles are all in demand and can affect the wedding photographer’s cost.
What’s Included In Wedding Photographer Packages?
Most photographers have a base package that can be tailored to each couple’s desires. You may find that some of their packages offer better value if you decide you want to include a wedding album or a second photographer. However, some photographers may just have one base package, and that package is then crafted for your wedding. Most luxury photographers provide one or two base packages that include time, experience, and service, all of which contribute to delivering a high-quality experience.
Want to know more? Here are a few things to look out for in a wedding photographer package:
Why Does Wedding Photography Cost So Much? Or Maybe Very Little
The saying you get what you pay for is so true when you are looking for a wedding photographer. They are the wedding supplier who has the ability to preserve so many beautiful memories. So, in all honesty, can wedding photography actually cost too much? What price would you pay for a memory shared with loved ones on the best day of your life? The limited availability and the demand make a photographer more valuable and desirable, creating a price that represents this.
Every photographer creates a unique experience, but here is a rough breakdown of what goes into each wedding:
Adding all these hours together (a whopping minimum of 50+ hours a week), you can see there’s a lot of hours that go into a single wedding.
Something else to bear in mind is that this doesn’t include the time and £££ that go into additional add-ons and expenses, like a second photographer, keeping equipment up-to-date and maintained, photography and business education, and much more.
Counting everything above, it’s safe to say that on average, one wedding will take a photographer around 100 hours.
Here’s a little example: if a photographer needs to make £40k per year after business expenses (say around £10k worth of expenses per year), and they’re only wanting to photograph 40 weddings a year, they need to charge £1250 per wedding on average.
Per hour, that comes to £10 per hour (possibly less).
So, if you’re paying £1250 for a main and second shooter, I’d bet that the photographer isn’t investing much into developing their business or a photographer that’s working really hard for £10ish per hour.
I’m not here to judge, but £10 per hour seems pretty cheap for being a professional and an artist that you trust with creating memories for one of the most special days of your life (a once-in-a-lifetime occasion), doesn’t it?
Summary
We’ve gone over your average wedding photographer cost, but how much does wedding photography cost? At the end of the day, it comes down to what you value most and how you want to divide your funds. You’ll want to find what works best for YOU.
A wedding photographer is worth how much you value the service and how much you’re willing it pay. If they have an amazing reputation, you love their photos (from throughout the day), their personality, and they make you feel at ease around them, then book them whatever their price is (as long as it’s in budget, right?).
The price is different for everyone, it could be £500 for some, or for others it could be £2k, £4k or even £10k +. As a rule, your higher priced photographers have greater demand for a variety of reasons, usually because of skill, style, etc. You can find cheaper photographers that are “worth” above their current price range, but that’s a massive gamble.
Nonetheless, what can’t be underestimated is the value a wedding photographer brings. They help to preserve your special wedding memories for you, your loved ones, and future generations. Any photographer you pick is likely to be working incredibly hard and under lots of pressure, so love and cherish them dearly. They will do the same for you.
What’s next? Check out this amazing blog Wedding Photographer: 9 Tips On How To Choose The Right One For You? to help you find your perfect wedding photographer!
Featured Blogs
Looking for more wedding inspiration? Check out these handpicked blogs to help you have the most amazing wedding