How much have you paid for a wedding photographer?

[DS1]

I ask this only for people who have paid for professional work.

[bridgit]

1. $350 ~ $700/day was what I charged when I used to perform such duties...

some 20 years ago; depending on what kinds of shots they wanted. I'm sure prices have gone up

[DS1]

2. thanks, this helps

[CC]

3. I have seen a wide variety in prices ...

...they seem to land somewhere between $1500. and $10,000 around here. though I have seen some willing to work a couple of hours for about $500. I would figure out how much I could afford then look for a photographer whose portfolio matches with what I want. Every one has a different style and you do want someone whose style matches you and that will work with the couple on what they want. Keep in mind, the wedding ceremony, dress, tuxs, and reception are a one time only thing (hopefully)but the wedding album and photos will be looked at again and again and hopefully hanging on the happy couple's wall and a tangible memory of their happy day.

[DS1]

4. thanks., CC

[Adsos Letter]

5. Last June we paid $2,000 for my daughter's wedding...

outdoors...he came from SF to Benicia...and he did a fantastic job.

Edit: my wife informs me it was $2,000, not $850 as I originally thought...

This makes me think I oughtta' ask how much that wedding actually did cost us.

:D

[Midlodemocrat]

6. My friend Sharon does weddings and she charges $650

to shoot the day and provide the proofs to choose from. The album itself is open ended as it is based on however many shots the couple chooses.

[Squatch]

7. Nothing.

My father-in-law called in a favor and got the guy for free.

[LaurenG]

8. Small Outdoor Wedding (50 people) 1993

In the mountains of Colorado, South Park (county) to be exact. $500.00 about 25 pictures.

[distantearlywarning]

9. They are very expensive.

It was a significant portion of our budget for our $6000 wedding a few years ago. I think we paid about $1000 for a small, 50 person wedding, several hours of work. And that was one of the cheapest we could find!

I will say that the cost was worth it. There is no replacement for the album of lovely memories we have now, and the photographer did a great job with a couple of small portraits we have hanging in our bedroom. She made me (the bride) look like a million bucks in the pictures.

[LynzM]

10. We paid $900.

Frankly, I wish we'd paid more and gotten better quality pictures. I've known people to spend $500-3000, 2-3 years ago.

[LynneSin]

11. You getting Married?

Congratulations :D

[underpants]

13. Well well well

that's what I want to know :bounce:

He is going to look so cute in white

[DS1]

14. DIAF

[underpants]

15. I had to look that one up

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=D.I.A.F.

:wow:

:grr: <--- DIAF :woohoo::scared:

[LynneSin]

21. Dominant Introverted Abstract Feeler?

That's a Jung personality type indicator.

[Midlodemocrat]

22. Dude, there is NO WAY he could wear white.

Series. :eyes:

[LostinVA]

12. We had a friend does ours but --

Haruka's parents paid $2,500 for their photographer in 2005, and the pictures weren't great.

Most of the professionals we called were 3-5k. We thought that was insane, so my Ex took the photos. We are very close to NYC, though, so I'm sure that affected the price.

[progressoid]

16. Get references if you can!

I work in this field (but I don't do weddings - NO WAY).
Just seeing a portfolio isn't always the best idea. Since we always put out our best for people to see, you won't get to see the run of the mill shots. Of course, if the images they show you are marginal to begin with, you're probably not going to get much better.

So try to find people that have hired them to get a better feel for what you should expect. Also, talk to the actual photographer(s). Sometimes you get someone other than who you talked to if it is a large studio. If you are uncomfortable with the photographer during an interview, imagine what it will be like on D-Day.

The cost is as variable as the quality, but higher cost doesn't guarantee better quality. I used to know a guy that charged 1200 bucks and did a great job. And others that charged a lot more but it was just average work.

If you are on a budget, sometimes, just sometimes, you can find a good photo student for a bargain (talk to an instructor for a reference). But don't expect miracles. ;)

Also, if you can manage it, look for someone that just does weddings. Or at the very least, portraits. They tend to have this stuff down pat.

[DS1]

17. I'm only asking because I've been asked to shoot one for a friend

and am wondering how much the 'pros' charge. That's all.

This isn't for me.


Thank god.

[CC]

23. If you are trying to figure it out for a

friend think about these things.

How long do they expect you to spend taking pictures. If you start before the wedding while every one is getting ready, then the wedding and reception if could easily be a 12 hour or longer day. It is next to impossible to be the photographer and a guest so plan on wearing the photographer hat for the duration.

Are you going to offer them a set number of prints? I hate to let others print my photos because I have seen some shitty prints from decent photos. So I would at least offer them a small package with some wall size prints. Then you can give them the cds with the rest. At least others can see you do take decent photos and will know any other prints are the printers fault.

How much time are you going to spend in photo-shop on them. Whether head switches because that one person just wouldn't open their eyes or to get rid of whatever weird thing keeps showing up on the walls. Example, exit signs, fire alarms hell even an outlet can just be in the wrong place.

Hints and tips: Come up with a shot list. Have them go through and check off what they absolutely have to have. Then make copies for you and someone they choose to be in charge of helping you gather the people you don't know. Great job for the best man or maid of honor. It helps a lot because things get crazy and get forgotten. (PM me if you would like a copy of one.)

Take a small flash light, sewing kit, safety pins and hair spray. Someone will need one of them and no one else will have them. Also extra batteries for your equipment.

That is all I can think of off the top of my head. Some things may help you with explaining your price when you come up with it.



Edit because I just cannot type.

[Oeditpus Rex]

27. Good fucking luck

I did seven weddings, all for friends or relatives of friends.

I'd rather photograph flaming, rancid pustules in the bowels of hell.

[kwassa]

18. paid $500 and got lousy pictures.

The one part of the wedding that did not go well, but we rushed on that part.

Choose carefully based on what YOU LIKE, and not so much on price.

[keithjx]

19. Hey

My wife is a pro and we shoot weddings together. Our packages for this year range from $2000 to $4500. Two photographers, 7-10 hrs coverage, 4x6s of the total coverage, some packages include albums, etc. Just so ya know. If ya wanna see our work, go to:

www.andreajonesphotography.com

KJ

[DS1]

20. that's a nice site

But I can't say I'm ready to fly out to Montana for each shoot ;)

[Fleshdancer]

24. I can't remember the exact amount, but I know it was around $3K

I went with one of the best wedding photographers in town. His portfolio was incredible.

It was worth the investment since the photos last forever unlike the flowers, centerpieces, cake, food, etc.

edit: my initial estimate was way too low.

[Touchdown]

25. I'm a pro. I have 4 prices. This is digital

Small/intimate with small reception. Casual dress. 25 people or less. 100-200 shots. $750

Medium. up to 100 people. Standard size reception/semi-formal. 300-400 shots. $1000

Large. Over 100 people. Outside Formal/semi-formal. Indoor, flash allowed, same. Reception, limo, first dance, big ass cake, etc. Being bossed around by DJ with a schedule. 300-600 shots. $1500.

Super-formal/Catholic wedding. All out traditional wedding. Church/Cathedral ceremony, that doesn't allow flash photography. about 500-600 shots. $2000.
the extra on this is because Photoshop is required on all shots without flash to correct color balance.

Gay weddings/commitment ceremonies are for the top two prices. Trying to get gay unions into my biz.

For the $750 and 1000 prices, I offer pre-wedding casual shots of the couple for $200 extra. The big two are complimentary.

Includes 11X14 of couple, and enough shots to fill an album (usually 50 or so in 5X7 and about 10 8X10). The bride picks the album. I did that once (a nice $60 parchment hard bound rice paper/stiff art paper album) and she hated it, so I won't do that shit again.

Zits? 100 bucks to Photoshop them out. I don't take pics with exit signs or basketball hoops (one was in a gym), so I don't have to do the PS intensive thing.

If you want film, jack those up by $200 a piece. Lab costs are more.

[LostinVA]

26. My Ex and Pacifist Patriot did it for free

The cheapest we found was (ready for this) THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS!!!!

No frigging way.

[Touchdown]

28. That's the typical reaction.

When you factor in how much work is involved, not only on the big day, with the DJ announcing the cutting of the cake before you have Aunt Mabel's and Uncle Wally's shots done with the bride who is bitching at you because she needs a cigarette, and then he says "First dance!" then you have to run and get those, and you run out of batteries in the middle of the lighting of candles, and of course you've always got some teenage boy or girl shadowing you and bothering you all day long. The Best Man, and the Matron of Honor are pulling you in two different places at once. Then that boy who won't leave you alone, skips out with your bag, because you decided to make him useful, and carry it for you, then he got bored and put it someplace "safe" behind the bar, so now it smells like gin.

Also for two weeks afterwords, then there's the lab costs, which the bride doesn't see, or with digital you have Photoshop time, paper and ink costs, the cost for the "picshure taker" runs up.

Then after all is done, I have to give about 200 megs of hard drive space to the happy couple for life in case they want any reprints. A photographer's wedding job is quite exhausting. Most people don't see how hard a job it is.