What goes into the price of a wedding photographer

Price is one of the first questions couples ask, and it should be. A photographer is one of the bigger items in a wedding budget, and quotes can look very different from one photographer to the next. A number only makes sense once you know what’s behind it, so here’s what you’re actually paying for.

What you’re paying for

The hours on the day are only part of the work. For every hour behind the camera there’s at least as much time again in editing, and usually more. Each image is graded on its own rather than run through a preset, because each scene has its own light.

Then there’s everything around the day:

• A meet and greet before anything is booked
• A moodboard and help finding the best flow for your day
• Staying in the loop while your plans come together
• Backups on site, then again to a RAID system at home, kept until your gallery is delivered
• A sneak peek of around 20 images, then the full gallery

What I charge

My weddings start from €2,400 for 8 hours, including post-production. That covers the meeting, the planning help, the coverage on the day and the edited gallery, usually somewhere between 400 and 700 final images. There’s no fixed limit. How could I know which smile or laugh is the one you prefer? I prefer to give you more options rather than to decide for you.

I don’t sell packages, and the price is a guideline, not a fixed menu. Some couples want more time, more couple shoots and more details. Others want only a few key scenes and then to be relaxed. Some days are shorter, some run longer, and if yours runs longer we simply add time. I’ll shape the coverage around what your day needs and give you a quote that fits it.

How to compare photographers

When you compare quotes, compare what’s included, not only the number:

• How many hours, and can they be placed where your day needs them?
• Is editing included, and how is it done?
• How are your files kept safe until delivery?
• Do you meet beforehand, and do they help with planning?
• Do you like how they work on the day, not just the final photos?

That last one matters most. You’ll spend your whole wedding day with this person. Choose someone you feel comfortable around.

If you’d like a quote for your day, send me your date and a few lines about your plans