The amount you should spend on wedding photography depends on various factors, including your budget, priorities, and the level of importance you place on capturing your special day. Here are a few things to consider when determining your wedding photography budget.
Budget Allocation
As a general guideline, wedding photography typically accounts for about 10-15% of the total wedding budget. This can vary based on the overall budget and how important photography is to you. All packages at Ariel Hawkins Photography are custom tailored to the needs of my clients. Packages start at $4600. We’ve also added on a great bonus of helping provide video coverage of your special day as well. You can ask me about that during your free consultation! (use the button below)
Photographer's Expertise
Experienced and skilled photographers often charge more due to their expertise, reputation, and the quality of their work. If capturing high-quality images is a priority, be prepared to invest accordingly. With over 10 years and thousands of weddings, there isn’t much I haven’t run into. Being a seasoned pro is super helpful and can really put what could be a stressful situation at ease!
Coverage Hours
The number of hours you want the photographer to cover can impact the cost. Longer coverage will likely result in a higher fee. At AHP, I offer all day wedding coverage. This means that we sit down together go over your timeline and make sure that all of the important parts of the day are covered and nothing is missed. This is included in your package.
Location
Prices for wedding photography can vary based on the location of your wedding. Photographers in larger cities or more popular wedding destinations may charge more due to higher living costs and demand. While this is true, the only costs that may be incurred are if I need to travel far outside of my shooting area and would require accommodations overnight to shoot a wedding. This is always something we discuss during your consultation. Usually a venue within up to 2 hours of travel is included in my regular packages.
Package Inclusions
Some photographers offer different packages with varying levels of services, such as engagement shoots, albums, prints, and additional photographers. Be sure to understand what's included in each package. All of my packages are clearly laid out so that you don’t have to guess what is in each one.
Editing and Post-Production
High-quality editing and post-production work contribute to the final look of your wedding photos. All editing is part of your package and comes standard. The typical turnaround time for your wedding photos is about 4-8 weeks after the wedding has been shot.
Prints and Albums
If you want physical prints or albums, factor in the cost of these items as well. Prints and Albums are something you can purchase as an add on to any package I offer but also are included in some of my packages.
Reviews and Portfolio
Research photographers in your area, read reviews, and examine their portfolios to ensure their style aligns with your preferences. Reviews. I can’t say enough about this. Make sure you’re reading reviews of the person you're hiring for the biggest day of your life! I don’t mean to boast but I have over 154, 5 star review and counting. I pride myself in my excellent customer service and communication during the entire process from beginning to end. This is something that would raise a red flag for me if I didn’t see good reviews or there were no reviews. You can check out my reviews HERE!
Hope you enjoyed reading along today!
Remember that your wedding photos are a lasting memory of your special day. While budget considerations are important, focus on finding a photographer whose work resonates with you and who you feel comfortable working with. It's worth investing in quality photography if it's an essential aspect of how you want to remember your wedding.