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When you’re planning your wedding then you want everything to be absolutely perfect and that includes your memories of the big day. Of course you want to make sure the menu and the food is fantastic and that the ceremony goes smoothly but when it comes to the photography it’s always best to take on the services of a professional. This will ensure that the photos look great and your memories of the event will be captured in a beautiful way.
When it comes to the price of wedding photography there is no simple answer because professional wedding photographers offer a wide range of packages and different services. Each aspect of the services that are available must be taken into account when you’re costing wedding photography and so if you, as a client, are looking to hire a professional it’s best if you have a clear idea of the type of services you will be wanting.
What are the Considerations when Costing Wedding Photography?
Every wedding is unique and although there are standard packages that a photographer will have available for you to choose from there are other factors which will vary each time.
- The Number of Hours: How long do you want the photographer to be working at the wedding? Do you want photographs of the entire day, including the reception, the ceremony and the evening celebrations? If so you’ll need to factor this in. However, it may be that you only want to employ a professional for the main ceremony in which case the costs will significantly decrease.
- How Many Images Do You Want? Wedding photographers can provide as many images of the event as you like but this will impact on the overall price. Usually a wedding photographer will have a selection of packages that you can choose from so you don’t need to figure out the cost of each image but rather just decide on the package that you want.
- What Finished Products Do You Want? When you’re choosing the type of package you want you’ll need to pick what kind of finished products you want and in what format they will be delivered. Do you only want images in a digital format or do you want physical prints as well? If you do want physical prints you’ll need to consider the size and number of prints when considering the price of the wedding photographer’s services. In some cases the wedding photographer can provide you with a photobook of the day’s events, or large posters, postcards and much more.
- Pre-Wedding Photoshoot: Many couples who are getting married opt for a pre-wedding photoshoot. This is a good way to get some really fantastic photos of the couple, their family and others including the bridesmaids. Taking advantage of this opportunity is a good idea but it will need to be costed into the overall price of the wedding photography.
- Travel and Hotel Costs: Depending on the location of your wedding the photographer might have to travel to the event and may need overnight accommodation as well. This will add to the cost of the package but if you are getting married in a remote location then having the photographer on site is definitely the best option. Having the photographer staying on site will ensure that there are no travel problems on the day of the event and they’ll also be able to take photos in the evening after the wedding. However, even if your wedding location is more local to you and the photographer you may still need to cover parking costs if they apply at the venue. Basic costs, such as gas, are usually factored into the cost of a package but parking fees will not usually be included.
- Do You Want a Second Photographer? One photographer at your wedding will be able to do a fantastic job capturing the highlights of the day but if you want to make sure to get the very best shots throughout the day then it may be worth taking on the services of a second photographer. Inevitably this will increase your costs but the results will be worth the extra! You can arrange for a different photographer to take over in the evening or have both on duty throughout the entire day. All this will need to be discussed with the wedding photographer in advance.
- Videography: Since the advent of modern digital cameras photographers have been able to offer far better levels of service. Many wedding photographers can also provide you with video of the events as well as still photos. These videos will be of a professional quality and really create a lovely record of your special day for posterity. Videography will add to the price of the wedding photography however the results will be spectacular videos of the event. The videos can be delivered to you as digital files, on DVDs or uploaded to your social media or personal website.
- Drones: If you would like drone footage of the event then it may cost a little extra however if you are having your wedding in a beautiful setting then some aerial shots can really add a special touch to the photos of the day. Using a drone the photographer can capture the scenic beauty of the landscape and the venue, get some great sweeping shots and bird’s eye views of the event.
Should I Tip the Wedding Photographer?
Generally speaking, when you employ a wedding photographer you won’t be expected to tip them. In most cases the wedding photographer will be a freelance professional and the owner of their own company which means that tips are not usually necessary.
However, if you are extremely satisfied with their services you could tip them $100-200 on the day. If the wedding photographer has an assistant working with them then you can tip them between $50-100 as an extra thank you. Essentially tipping is not necessary when you have taken on the services of a wedding photographer but that said a tip as a special thank you will always be appreciated!
How Are Payments Made to a Wedding Photographer?
When it comes to payment for the services of a wedding photographer it is usually done in a payment schedule. The first payment will cover the deposit which secures the services of the photographer and ensures that they keep their calendar free and don’t make arrangements with any other clients for that day. This is a standard way of striking a deal with a wedding photographer and will normally be expected to occur when you sign a contract for the wedding event photography.
The second payment will usually be made before the day of the wedding which covers the basic services they are providing for you. After the wedding you may need to pay a third installment to buy the prints, videos and other finished products, such as photobooks, that you want to order.
Questions to Ask a Wedding Photographer.
The following are some of the questions you should ask a wedding photographer.
- Do you have insurance? Any professional wedding photographer should have public liability insurance which will cover situations such as accidents where a guest might fall after tripping over a tripod! This will protect your guests as well as the photographer although many wedding venues require that the photographer is fully insured. It’s extremely important to make sure you are on the same page in terms of insurance before the event takes place.
- Is there a back up plan in case of emergency? Does the wedding photographer have a backup photographer that can be called in case of a serious emergency. Your wedding is a one off event and so every consideration should be made to ensure that you’re covered if an emergency occurs. If something terrible should happen, such as the photographer being in a traffic accident, then you will need an emergency Plan B option to fall back on.
- Ask for references: Most wedding photographers will have a portfolio of images that you can peruse before you book them however if they do not then definitely ask to see some of the past work so that you can understand more about their creative vision and the way in which they take wedding photos. Ask for references.
- How Long until the Photographer Delivers the Finished Products? Before you sign a contract with the photographer make sure to find out how long it will take them to edit and deliver the photos to you. Bear in mind that they will need to edit and possibly do some post production work on the photos for you so this should be taken into account.
- Discuss the format of the end product: You can receive the photos in a digital format, on CDs, in physical print format or even in a photobook. All this should be decided on before the event.
The Costs of Wedding Photography Vary Widely Due to the Unique Nature of Each Event.
There are a wide range of things that you need to keep in mind when you are calculating the costs of wedding photography. Every event is a special one off situation and so the pricing will need to reflect the situation itself as well as your personal requirements.
Taking on the services of a wedding photographer is a fantastic investment and will help you get the very best photos to remember the day by. Memories are priceless and you can’t underestimate the value of having a beautiful set of photos to treasure for the rest of your life after your big wedding day.
Have you hired a wedding photographer before? What was the experience like?
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