Photography Prices for weddings

Wedding Prices for Photography

Well this is a very common question, “How much does a wedding photographer cost?” or “What are Wedding Photography Prices?”
The answer to these types of questions are fairly layered and complex. Not all Weddings are the same, not every wedding is on one day, number of hours, etc
 
As a Photographer, shooting all types of Religious and Faith Weddings, I commonly get asked the price question. It really depends on several factors ranging from Client Budget to Client Requirements.
 
Initially, the client may have a budget, which they do not want to exceed, as costs for weddings in general are high enough. So they may set a maximum allowance for their photographer and videographer. Therefore, the cost of a wedding package may be dictated on the client budget itself.
 
Secondly, the Photographer may be starting out, with basic skills and knowledge, and may charge a very low amount (if not free) to begin with. If the client is happy with putting their special day in an un-experienced photographer, then they may very well get a good deal. But from my experience, an amateur photographer seeking experience should shadow a professional for many months to get the knowledge before starting out on their own. Therefore I would not recommend getting a cheap photographer based on his or her pricing, as this is surely setting up serious issues on the client’s special day.
 
Thirdly, an experienced photographer will find themselves in a position where they can charge a price respective to wedding peak season, and lower prices to be competitive during non-peak season. So expect a professional photographer to vary their prices, as they see fit, respective to their own workload.
 
Fourthly, and this is important, is that a wedding photographer, over the years will build a skill set, knowledge and experience to cover any type of wedding, and this is what you are investing in…The Professional Photographers Experience & Skills. It may not sound as much, but for your special day, which happens only once in your life (for most people), is a day which you should not try to save money for the person/s who will shoot the wedding and capture the memories. You spend so much on Wedding Décor venue, cake, DJ, Audio, Visual, Makeup etc, so it is the task for the Photographer to record this for your memories. To take a risk on amateur, in-experienced or cheap photographers….can potentially set you up for some headaches.
 
I cover what professional photographers do in another blog titled, which you can read here. This gives you more insight on what is involved, from start to end.
 
And lastly, the photography package itself. If you sign up with a Photographer, a contract will be created, where you know exactly what you will expect from your investment. So every price will be different, depending on if you book 1, 2, 3, 4 days, pre-wedding shoot, Wedding Albums or Slideshows, 1, 2, 3 Photographers on an event and so on.
 
So “How much does a Wedding Photographer cost”? Well, based on the above information, it is difficult to quantify exactly.
However, at Amar G Media, we put forward affordable prices and packages, bespoke to the client. The prices will range greatly, depending on client requests; it could be £500, or £3000. It all comes down to what the client is willing to invest, and leave the task to a professional. Remember the motto “You get what you pay for”...
 
The average Photographer price list in London is around £1500 to £2K. If you do get quoted this amount, then it is likely you have found a professional who understands the time and effort it takes to provide high quality photography.
 
If you find someone willing to cover your whole wedding day for £200, and you are expecting the quality of a professional photographer….then all I can say is good luck. I am not saying its guaranteed you wont have decent images, as you might be very lucky and find someone offering a good deal, but what I am saying is from my own experience talking to clients whose friends/family decided to go with a very cheap photographer….they were not at all impressed with the final images.
 
It’s a bit of a minefield when researching the right photographer for your wedding day. So I will try to put together a few points to look for and ask, when doing your preliminary enquires.
 

1. Ask how long they have been working as a Professional Photographer
2. Do they do this as a full time profession
3. Are they insured?
4. Have they got a good amount of portfolio to show
5. On the wedding day, will they be personally attending or will they be sending someone else on behalf of the company
6. Is there any clients you can talk with to get more in-depth feedback of the Photographer
7. Google their name…see if they show up 3-4 times, or on several pages. This indicates how present they are to the public.
8. Will your images be high resolution or low resolution
9. Ask if there are hidden fee’s
10. And on the Photography Pricing, ask for a discount, don’t expect much, but worth a try.

 
If you are offered an amazing package for a fraction of the quotes you are receiving from other professionals….then it may be too good to be true. There are many unscrupulous individuals out there, who really don’t care about Photography and its code of conduct. Which is a shame, as it leave the clients, who have now got married, and their respective families, very bitter towards wedding suppliers as a whole. All due to these cowboys….Which I cover in detail in this blog should you wish to read. 

Comparing Wedding Photographer Prices

So every Photographer, who is reliable, decent and established, will provide a price, based on their knowledge & insight on how much work is involved, from shooting, manpower and post editing. Also, expect to pay a bit more, if booking well known Photographers or Brand companies. Their costs would be justified as it takes many years to build a successful Photography company. The amount of money invested by the photographer, from Marketing, Equipment, Experience, Admin, Insurance and all the costs associated with a company, is significant.
So, each photographer will have their own set prices. But as mentioned before, an average price is between £1500 to £2000.  
 
Wedding Photography Packages can also vary from different companies.
Typically, you would get a General Package, a more enhanced package or a full package deal.
And within these types of packages, would be the additional extras such as Albums, pre-shoots or longer hour coverage.
At Amar G Media, we tend to provide bespoke photography packages, catering to the clients needs and requests, and ensure the final costs cover all aspects of the Clients special day.
Why not drop an email to see what savings you can make. 

Price Lists of Photographers

Any quotes above £3000, these photographers are the top of their game and with a brand status. They will definitely be experienced and have all the equipment necessary to ensure your day is covered properly. It may be on the higher end of your budget, but you will expect to see amazing results.
 
Any quotes of around £1500, these photographers will still be delivering the quality you would expect and should fit comfortably into your budget. They may not be a recognised name, but that doesn’t mean you won’t get good results
 
Any quotes less than £200, I would try to stay clear, especially if you have a budget that is higher. Don’t think the low price means you are getting a good deal. This would be the type of photographer who hasn’t invested in their equipment or business, and probably hoping for a quick cash opportunity. Research is Key if going with the low price companies.

How can I get the Best Value for my Investment without spending a fortune?

First, set a Budget with a 20% flexibility. You may find a photographer who is perfect for you, but may not fall into your budget set. But be strict; don’t go over your budget, even if you think you can afford it.
Secondly, discuss your requirements and do your research on the company.
Negotiate a reasonable discount if you can. But don’t push your luck as Photographers need to make a living also
Thirdly, Discuss any hidden fees and try to get everything you need included as a bespoke package so you don’t pay for additional items after the wedding
Lastly, Make the booking, obtain a contract and keep in touch with the Photographer right up to the Wedding Week.
 
As the creative director of Amar G Media, it is my intention to ensure the client is happy throughout the wedding process, and receives excellent media which they can reflect on in the years to come. Client service and professional photography is what we focus on. If you would like to find out what e can do for you, why not drop an email or call to Amar – 07904857510 or [email protected], and see what savings you can make. (Hopefully, you’ll save enough to go on Honeymoon!!)