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Avg Photographer Cost?

amh04amh04
1000 Comments
in Wedding Photography and Videography Forum
How much would an average photogropher cost for the wedding, before and after and reception pictures?? Do most include free engagement picutures?
I'm really new to the whole wedding thing and not sure what costs are considered average and what is considered over the top.
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Re: Avg Photographer Cost?

  • KarenArnoldMaineKarenArnoldMaine member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    this is such a tricky question and I am sure you will see a lot of different answers here. Having went to art school A LOT of my fellow classmates would shoot wedding from time to time to make a buck not having known a thing or 2 about weddings. Then you have amateur/hobbyist/prosumer photographers who think they are REALLY good at shooting weddings. Then you have your AVERAGE photographer...someone who does it for a living and does well cause they get a lot of work but they shoot the same style OVER AND OVER AND OVER again. If you want good photos, you have to hire an ARTIST who is a photographer, someone who takes pride in their work and does it because they have an absolute love for what they do. I hired someone like this and I have to tell you, it is not cheap. They stand far apart from the rest and there are a lot of photographers out there like this. Then lastly, you have your I shoot celebrity weddings photographers who cost an arm and a leg.

    So here is my breakdown. 

    Student: 400-1000
    Amateur: 600-1500
    Average: 1000-2000
    ARTIST: 2500-4000
    Arm & a Leg: 5000+ (without ALBUMS!!!)

    Hope this helps you. I know a thing or 2 about planning weddings since I have helped 2 dozen friends plan theirs. I have done budget weddings and over-the-top weddings, you name it.




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  • raspberrytartraspberrytart
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Karen did an excellent breakdown.  Photography is just one of those things where you get what you pay for.  Do your research to get the best quality you can for the price you can afford.
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  • atomicphotoatomicphoto member
    Fourth Anniversary 100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I dont know that i completely agree with Karen's breakdown. She has the right idea, but that being said it is important to note that the average pricing can severely vary by region. Small town prices are not going to be nearly the same as big city. 
    -The national average for wedding photographers is closer to 1500-3000. -I would place student and amateurs in the same range: 200-1000-Quality professional / Artist: 2000-10,000+
    Like anything, you can find extremes in both directions. You can find a pro photographer charging high prices for skimpy packages and you can find a fauxtographer (read= person who bought a camera and declared themselves a pro) charging really cheap prices for far too full packages. Both are risky. 
    Just remember its about the images first. The money second. Dont choose your photographer just because of the price... look at the work first and talk to the photographer. Then look at the price. If you can afford it, negotiate or move on. If it seems too good to be true... it most likely is (and is most likely of sub par quality).
    And with any photographer you hire:-Make sure you are comfortable with the photographer.-Make sure you like their work and that its consistent. -Make sure you ALWAYS get a contract (especially if the photog is a friend or family)-And if possible, verify that they are a legit registered (with the state) business and have liability insurance (most venues require this).
    ciao.K
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  • Tanq&TonicTanq&Tonic
    1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    I think that's a decent generalization, but I don't agree that more expensive is better.  There are some phenomenal photos under $3k, and also plenty that charge more than that but are not solid / consistent / technically sound.

    The most important thing is to find a style that you love (or at least that you can live with) within your budget.  You can always find a steal.
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  • khines18khines18
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I would def put this on a local board so you could get a more accurate figure.
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  • KarenArnoldMaineKarenArnoldMaine member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_photos-video_avg-photographer-cost?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:30Discussion:8abc81b1-dd4a-43fb-a6a9-955182e6d6a8Post:a76a8765-0026-4a1a-a11b-38a07fae259a">Re: Avg Photographer Cost?</a>:
    [QUOTE]I think that's a decent generalization, but I don't agree that more expensive is better.  There are some phenomenal photos under $3k, and also plenty that charge more than that but are not solid / consistent / technically sound. The most important thing is to find a style that you love (or at least that you can live with) within your budget.  You can always find a steal.
    Posted by Tanq&Tonic[/QUOTE]<div>
    </div><div>I agree with you here. However, I just stay away from photos I do not like and I think that goes without saying for almost everyone here. I was talking about the general flow of people who perform/take photography at weddings and where they fall in terms of price. My friend used a hobbyist who had a great natural eye and took some lovely photos and she got a steal. But when it came down to the full wedding there were a lot of mistakes and shots that were off. You just have to find someone whose work you enjoy who loves what they do and knows what they are doing.</div><div>

    </div>
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  • krk949krk949 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011

    The first post is a good breakdown. I also agree with finding the style you like and then go from there. You must remember what the packages include as well. I had a hard time finding a photographer I liked, then to find a package that I liked as well. I really want the rights to the pics, so i don't have to pay an arm and a leg after the pics are taken. Good Luck on your search!

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  • sdeluna08sdeluna08 member
    Sixth Anniversary 10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I wouldn't really focus on what the average cost is, as opposed to the quality of the photographer and what fits your budget.  Also, the time of year will also vary prices, especially if you're getting married during a popular time and dates are competitive.  I just decided on our photographer (average experience level) and it was $1900 (after a $600 discount since I went to college with her) for 8 hrs, engagement session, dvd of photos, album, and a co-photographer.  However, as someone else said before, I would check on a local forum...since my wedding is in southern california, prices are a bit inflated.
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  • rdulin04rdulin04
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Could anyone elaborate on the cost I could expect to incur in order to "own" the photos digitally?  Is this generally included in a package or do you pay a premium for this (or both)?

    Thanks for your help!
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