Even with a pandemic, there is still time to celebrate love. If you want to have a beautiful wedding, don’t forget to hire the best photographer you can find. This is one of the most important decisions you should make right after your engagement. If you are wondering how much wedding photography will cost this year, keep in mind that their services are very expensive and in some cases can exceed your budget. For this reason, there are a lot of questions you should ask a photographer before signing a contract.
Over 60% of people don’t plan their wedding budget properly and are surprised when they see a photo price list for the first time. Hiring a wedding photographer is one of the most important things, which is why many experts advise couples to set aside at least 10-15% of their budget to hire a real professional and get a great photographer. The price may vary depending on where you live. Although it may seem very expensive at first, you should understand that an average wedding photographer spends 30 to 40 hours per wedding. Photographers attend planning meetings and often have to visit your home unless you hire a local professional; after the wedding, a photographer still has time to post the photos of the process. If you need a beautiful wedding album, remember that it is also very expensive.
Photographer: Rene Asmussen
What Influences the Price?
If you are wondering what will affect the price of a wedding photographer, let’s take a look at the main factors to consider.
Location
Unless you know how to choose a wedding photographer, be careful where the person you want to take is located as this will affect the overall price. For example, LA-based photographers typically charge.
No wonder professional photographers charge more for their services as they have more experience and can do the perfect photoshoots to capture the best moments of your wedding. Experienced photographers have advanced skills to help them solve lighting problems, avoid possible misunderstandings, and achieve the best possible results under all circumstances.
Equipment
A professional photographer uses expensive equipment. For example, a professional digital camera costs around $ 3,000. The lens is not cheap, as they cost $ 2,000 each. In addition, a photographer has to use expensive software and a powerful PC to edit the images faster. Apart from that, a photographer should use lights, tripods, and other equipment.
Demand
When a photographer is in high demand, their services are cheaper. However, keep in mind that popular photographers don’t always offer the best quality.
Hours of coverage
The total price of the photographer’s services depends on the time it will take for your wedding. Usually, couples take photographers for at least 6-10 hours.
Insurance
Since professional equipment is relatively expensive, most photographers prefer to insure it to minimize possible losses. Each wedding photographer must also purchase liability insurance.
Packaging structure
While some wedding photographers offer standard packages, others prefer to use on-demand shots which may be more suited to those with the cash on hand. If you don’t need a wedding album, you can talk to a photographer about how to cut costs.
Photographer: Md Iftekhar Uddin Emon
What’s in a wedding photo package?
When comparing different wedding photography packages, there are several things to keep in mind:
1.Hours of photography
It shows you how long a photographer will be working during your wedding.
2.Number of digital photographs
When deciding how much to charge for wedding photos, most photographers base the total price on the amount of work they have to do. They also indicate how many photos they will send you after your wedding.
3.Number of prints.
Until recently, many photographers offered couples the option of ordering 6×4 or 7×5 prints, but these days this option is rarely requested.
4.A USB stick
Some photographers may send you a USB drive containing high resolution post-processed photos. You can use these images to order copies or albums.
5.An online gallery
In some cases, a photographer may give you access to a password-protected service that stores your photos. This way, it is easier for you to share your wedding photos with your loved ones. Sometimes you will also be charged additional fees for purchasing prints from a photographer.
6.A wedding album
You can order a photo album and choose the design according to your needs. It is also possible to order an album from another service.
7.Bonus items
If you have the money, you can order the more expensive package, which has additional items. Some couples order a photo box ($ 750), photos from rehearsal dinner, canvas prints, or videos.
Photographer: Terje Sollie
Should I Negotiate the Price?
If you have negotiated well, you can try to ask for a discount. However, most photographers have fixed prices that cannot be reduced. Usually, you can choose a plan that works best for you. A photographer has to pay for expensive photo editing software, equipment, licenses, and insurance, which increases the total cost. Cases, where a professional photographer can afford a fixed price, are very rare.
Photographer: Nappy
How to Save on a Wedding Photographer?
If you don’t know the number of wedding expenses and are wondering if you can afford it, try these simple tips to avoid spending your money:
Don’t hold a wedding during the high season
Planning an off-season wedding, which runs from November to March, is a good idea because it doesn’t cost you arms or legs. The same goes for photo services. You can also save money on cakes, flowers, and hotels.
Book in advance
Professional photographers are in high demand, so they offer generous discounts to early adopters. You should contact a photographer immediately after deciding on a wedding date.
Even if a photographer doesn’t offer discounts, it may be worth paying for them upfront as prices can increase over the year.
Hire a photographer for fewer hours
When you book a photographer for a long time, you drastically reduce the overall costs. A photographer won’t take a lot of pictures, but they’re easier to edit. Plus, you’ll pay less for less time. For example, if you don’t need photos of the wedding preparations, you can invite a photographer directly to your wedding.
Find a local professional
You will pay additional travel costs if a photographer you wish to take does not live in your city.