
Pricing wedding photography can feel like a balancing act for photographers. Setting your rates too high might scare away clients, while pricing too low can devalue your work and make your business unsustainable. This wedding photography pricing guide will walk you through how to determine your rates based on your location, expertise, overhead costs, and market research.
In This Article:
How Much Should A Photographer Charge For A Wedding?
The Average Price
According to WeddingWire, the average wedding cost of photographers is about $2,000. However, the exact price varies significantly, ranging from $300 to $10,000. This wide price range depends on factors such as the photographer’s expertise, location, and what services are included.

Student photographers typically charge below $1,500. Inexperienced or semi-pro photographers (those with less than two years of experience) may price themselves at around $2,500 to $3,000.
Moderately experienced photographers often charge between $4,000 and $7,000. These photographers have a solid portfolio, often work full-time, and balance around 15-30 weddings a year. At this stage, your photography becomes more polished, and your attention to clients becomes more focused.
Professional photographers, typically with over 10 years of experience, may charge $8,000 to $10,000+. They’ve refined not only their photography but also their client experience, limiting their bookings to fewer than 15 weddings per year to offer personalized attention.
But $10k isn’t the upper limit for wedding photographer prices. We’ve worked with luxury wedding photographers in this field who have over 20 years of experience, and they ask for at least $20,000 for every wedding. So, as long as you polish your skills, expect to have a higher rate than the average range.
Package Prices
Offering photography packages is a great way to provide clear value to your clients. Most packages typically include hours of coverage, prints, albums, or digital files. The price varies from $1,000 to $10,000. A basic package will lean to the lower end of the range, covering just the essentials like 4-6 hours of coverage.
On the other hand, comprehensive packages can reach $10,000 or more, often including engagement shoots, full-day wedding coverage, post-wedding sessions, albums, and more. If wedding videos come with the package, you can set an even higher price.
Photoshoot Prices

For those who prefer a more flexible approach, offering photoshoots rather than wedding photography packages can be an option. These photoshoots typically range from $200 to $2,000, depending on location, length, and the deliverables.
However, according to our experience, non-wedding shoots usually have lower prices than wedding ones, which might not make up for your time, effort, and other expenses.
Hourly Rate
Some photographers prefer to charge an hourly rate rather than set packages. The average rates per hour for a wedding photographer can range from $400 to $800 per hour, depending on their experience and what is included in that time.
We’ve found that while an hourly rate can be easier for clients to digest, it’s crucial to factor in the time spent on tasks like editing, consultations, and travel when pricing.
Charging $500 for an hour of shooting doesn’t mean you’re making $500 per hour—there’s planning, communication, and post-production involved that takes much more time than the shoot itself. We noticed this common misconception among many novice photographers. So, remember to account for the full workload behind the scenes.
What About Engagement Photos?
Engagement photos are an excellent add-on that can be included in wedding packages or offered as a separate service. On average, engagement photo sessions range from $400 to $1,400, depending on the length of the session and the photographer’s experience.
In our experience, offering engagement sessions as part of a wedding package works well—it not only gives clients more value but also helps build rapport before the big day. This connection often results in more relaxed and authentic wedding day photos.
4 Things To Consider When Deciding The Wedding Photographer Cost

The Wedding Location
The location of the wedding significantly impacts what you can charge. Photographers working in metropolitan areas with higher living costs, like New York or Los Angeles, typically charge more due to the expenses associated with running a business in those regions.
For example, photographers in New York City often charge between $8,000 and $10,000 just to cover the costs of living and operating there. If you’re in a high-demand city, don’t hesitate to adjust your pricing to reflect the higher costs.
On the other hand, if you’re working in smaller towns or rural areas, your pricing might need to be more modest, as couples may not expect to pay metropolitan-level fees. Remember to take the additional travel cost into account, too.
Your Expertise
The experience levels you bring to wedding photography plays a big role in determining how much you can charge. For those just starting out (less than two years of experience), it’s common to charge around $2,000 to $3,000.
However, as your skills grow, your pricing should reflect that. Photographers with moderate experience typically charge between $4,000 and $7,000, while those with a decade or more of experience can command prices starting at $8,000 or more.
Mind The Overhead And Cost Of Goods
Beyond your experience, it’s crucial to account for your overhead and cost of goods when deciding your prices. This includes everything from equipment, insurance, and website hosting to travel expenses, taxes, and album costs. Overhead is often fixed, while costs like prints or albums fluctuate based on how many weddings you book.
For instance, if you’re including physical products like albums or prints in your packages, these need to be factored into your pricing.
Market Research
Understanding the market you’re operating in is essential for setting competitive prices. Take time to research what other photographers in your area are charging for similar levels of expertise and services.
Are most photographers offering all-inclusive packages, or are individual photoshoots more common? Knowing where you fit into the local market will help you determine if your prices are too high, too low, or just right.
See more: 30 Wedding Photo Ideas To Capture Memorable Moments
Conclusion
A well-thought-out pricing plan not only ensures profitability but also attracts the right clients who value your work. Remember, as your skills grow and the market evolves, it’s important to reassess your pricing to reflect the value you provide.