The average price of a US wedding photographer is roughly $2800


I’ve seen pricing across at least 30 cities, especially in wedding photography circles like Ben Hartley’s group.


Photographers booking high-end clients aren’t just pricing based on skill—they’re factoring in what it takes to photograph your wedding, maintain their gear, and cover business costs for the next 12-16 months.



Why Wedding Photography Costs What It Does

  • Experience & Skill – More experienced photographers charge more because they’ve refined their craft.
  • Confidence in Delivering – A pro isn’t just taking photos; they know how to handle pressure, lighting challenges, and unexpected moments.
  • Equipment & Maintenance – Cameras, lenses, and backups cost thousands and need constant upkeep.
  • Business Overhead – Photographers aren’t just working on your wedding day; they’re editing, maintaining a website, paying for software, insurance, and marketing.


It’s not just about budget—it’s about trust. You’re hiring someone to capture a once-in-a-lifetime event. Look at their work, read reviews, and make sure their style matches what you actually want.


Cheap isn’t always a win if the photos don’t hit.

Indoor wedding reception scene with guests seated at round tables under string lights and chandeliers in a rustic brick venue.

Why are wedding photographers priced so differently?


They are priced by their cost of doing business cameras, expertise, authority, and speciality.


So the cost of doing business is different for every photographer.


Cost of doing business

One photographer maybe photographing with film, another might be using a camera that's 10 years old. Another might be offering at $2000 but they'll sell you prints, that is if you value something tangible than digital.


More commonly, photographers just photographs and sends you digital files, but they price themselves higher.


Photography is a full time job and will need to constantly market themselves to stay a float.


Expertise

It's not just knowing how to work a camera, but also they need to find the right angles, offer artistic decisions on editing, suggest posing or candid, lighting, knowing how to bring people together for their family photos, shot list, timeline, etc.


Authority

More bookings, that photographer will likely to price themselves higher for less bookings per year.


Speciality

Not ever photographer is the same.


Luxury photographers focus on every aspect and experience of your wedding, they're usually the light and airy type. Elopement and Wedding Destination photographers focuses on travel and planning.


Then you have editorial photographers that focuses on magazine and minimalistic photography.

A charming Gothic Revival chapel with grayish-tan siding features a white staircase and green trim amidst lush gardens.

Wedding photographer cost comes down to a few key things:


The size of your venue, how many guests you’re inviting, how long you want coverage, and the photographer’s experience.


At a minimum, you’re looking at $2,800-$5,600 for a full day (8 hours)—but pricing varies based on the photographer’s reputation, experience, and what’s included.


Full Breakdown of Photography Costs

  • Venue Size – Bigger venues mean more ground to cover, so you may need a second photographer.
  • Coverage Time – A half-day vs. full-day wedding affects how much shooting and editing is required. The longer the event, the more editing time is needed.
  • Second Photographer/Assistant – Extra coverage means higher costs but ensures you don’t miss key moments.
  • Photo Books & Albums – Custom-designed albums add to the budget but can be worth it for a tangible way to relive the day.
  • Prints – Digital galleries are standard, but if you want professional prints, factor that into your budget.
  • Extras – Additional hours, multiple-day coverage, or hiring an extra photographer all increase costs.
  • Film Photography – If you want analogue film shots alongside digital, this is usually an added expense.


Destination & Elopement Photography


If you’re hiring a photographer for a destination wedding or elopement, you’re covering their travel, planning time, and photography—so expect to pay more for their expertise in scouting locations and handling logistics.

A newlywed couple poses outdoors at their wedding with a beautiful peach and blue floral bouquet.

Is hiring a photographer worth it?


You’ll want to hire a wedding photographer average price who can do it correctly—someone who knows how to handle lighting, capture real moments without making everything feel staged, and edit the photos in a way that actually feels like you.


It’s not just about having pictures; it’s about having photos that actually make you feel something when you look back at them.

A playful group peeks out from behind a white curtain in an indoor space with grey flooring.

Wedding Photographer Prices in tiers

There's usually at least 3 different packages. Low, middle, and high.


  • The starting package which is their bare minimum.
  • The middle package(s) which usually includes an engagement session and/or second photographer(s) and are usually longer.
  • The high tier packages are all of the bells and whistles of a package. Usually an all day package


You can find our collections here.

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