Erie Photography

How much should you pay for a wedding photographer? That’s usually the first question that comes up when someone begins searching for their wedding photographer. But, in reality, it should be one of the later things considered. Still, we want you to be in the know so let’s dig in.

Your Wedding is one of the biggest celebrations of your life. And regardless of where you stand on things like floral arrangements or late-night reception snacks, you need the best photographer to capture your moments, because your Wedding Photos are the one solid thing you walk away from your wedding with. After months of planning, your wedding day will fly by in an instant. So, that’s why your photographer is one of the most important wedding day vendors you can invest in. They capture every moment that make up your wedding day so that twenty, thirty, or even fifty years down the road your photos will remind you of the magic on that day.

The Budget Rule

Most couples follow the standard Wedding Budgeting Rules that say how much you should pay for a Wedding Photographer. Traditionally, the budget says you should spend 10% on your overall wedding budget on Photography. Anywhere from 10-16% is average. But who follows the rules anymore? When I’m planning a budget with my clients I go over what the most important aspects of their day are. If Wedding Photography is high on the list you should be willing to pay more than just 10% of your budget. There are places in your budget to wiggle. For instance, maybe a large extravagant floral centerpiece isn’t an essential part of your wedding decor. You can lower the cost of your floral budget and put those extra funds to work for the Wedding Photographer of your dreams.

What’s the Average Price Range of Wedding Photographers?

I know you want a quick answer to the question How Much Should You Pay For a Wedding Photographer?”, but the reality is there is no quick answer.

A Wedding Photographer can cost anywhere from $500-$30,000 or more! That’s a really big gap and I’ll explain why. There are a ton of different factors that play into how much a wedding photographer charges. So, where you need to focus most is on the value of your investment to get what you really want. Here are some factors that can influence the cost of wedding photography:

Lifestyle

There are many types of Wedding Photographers with the biggest distinction being between a full time professional and a part time hobby enthusiast. A pro invests more time and money into photography because it’s more than a passion, it’s a career. A hobbiest will charge less because they invest less into their craft.

Location

We have to be honest with ourselves here. A Wedding Photographer in NYC is going to cost far more than one in rural Kansas. The cost of living and doing business in your local area (or the area you’re getting married in) is going to greatly affect the cost of your Wedding Photography.

Experience

It just makes sense that an experienced Wedding Photographer is going to cost more than a beginner. An experienced photographers offers you the advantage of having been there, done that and seen it all. They can cope with the flow of your wedding day without missing a beat. In addition, they understand exactly how to relate to you and your wedding party to make everyone feel comfortable. Not too mention, they have had years to develop a ‘relationship’ with their equipment. They know it like the back of their hand. There’s no guessing which lens to use for the best shot or what angle they should shoot from in the lighting.

What They Offer

Every photographer is unique. I’ve read about highly experienced Wedding Photographers in large urban locations that charge $5,000 or more for Wedding Day coverage but don’t include any actual photo delivery. The newlyweds are responsible for paying for any prints, canvases, or wedding albums they want from their day. Some photographers offer full day coverage (12 hours) and others charge by the hour. If you want to know what they offer it’s best to ask and make sure this is the perfect photographer for you.

So, Why Do Wedding Photographers Cost What They Do?

I know we haven’t quite answered the question How Much Should You Pay For a Wedding Photographer?”, but I promise we’re getting to it!

Your Wedding Day is a once in lifetime experience and if you’re like most brides you want to perfectly preserve those moments to relive later. So, it’s a good idea to understand what your investment is going towards. Every Wedding Photographer is different, but generally your Wedding Day breaks down into:

1. 1-3 Hours of Initial Emailing, Phone Calls, and Consults
2. 2-3 Hours of Engagement Session with travel and shoot time
3. 1-5 Hours of Editing Engagement Photos
4. 4-10 Hours of Timeline Prep, pre-wedding planning, site visits, and consults
5. 10-20 Hours of Wedding Day work with equipment prep, packing, setup, shoot coverage, tear down, travel back and forth
6. 8-30 Hours of Wedding Day Editing
7. 1-4 Hours of after Wedding Day consulting and design work on any albums or other items purchased.

In addition to the 60+ hours of time spent on each Wedding is the investment into delicate and expensive cameras, lenses, lighting, and software for editing.

So, How Much SHOULD I Pay For Wedding Photography?

Finally, we come to the answer to the question How Much Should You Pay For a Wedding Photographer?”. Let’s break down a little closer to our local area to give you an idea of what you should expect to pay for an experienced Wedding Photographer in the Erie, PA area.

We did a little digging online to see what the going average rate is for Wedding Photography in Erie Pa. According to sources such as The Knot and Wedding Wire couples in the Erie area paid an average of $2,400.00 for Wedding Photography in 2019. An amazing online Wedding Calculator Tool called The Wedding Cost Report estimated that you can expect to spend around $3,000 in 2021. We estimated including an Engagement Session. The break down was:

Engagement Photography: $456.00

Wedding Photography: $2,543.00

Remember that many Photographers include an Engagement Session in their Wedding Photography Packages when you’re looking over your budget and planning on how much you should set aside. Also, you’ll need to take into consideration a few other things besides cost when choosing the ideal Wedding Photographer for you. In fact, cost should be last on your list of importance. We’ve got an amazing article to help you choose the best photographer for you. You can find it in the link below. You can also find a link to our most popular Wedding Day Photography Prices.

Book Erie Photography, Photographer Services for Your Wedding or Next Event.

Erie Photography™

Erie Wedding & Event Services
Wedding Disc Jockey | Erie Photography | Wedding Photo Booth | Wedding Videography
1001 State Street, Suite 1400, Erie, PA 16501
814.662.1037 | info@erie-photography.com

Begin Planning Your Photo Shoot

We’re really looking forward to talking with you about Capturing Your Wedding Vision. Reach out to setup a time to talk with our In House Wedding Coordinator about your plans. We’re waiting to hear from you.

Erie Photographers’ Blog

How to capture all Your Unique Moments-

‘From ring selfie to sparkler exit—and look your best in every shot!’

This Guide to Wedding Photography offers you information to think about while planning and hiring your Wedding Photographer. We hope you enjoy this read. 

Wedding photos offer you both immediate gratification (morning-after I.G. post!) and lifelong memories (decades from now, your granddaughter will be in awe of your style). With that much pressure, of course, you want to capture images you’ll love! To pull that off, first, you need to establish what you like—and what you, um, really hate—in wedding photography. You can do this by checking out Instagram accounts and browsing real wedding features on our site, and our social media feeds.

Three major styles are trending right now: classic (lots of composed shots with natural lighting), artsy (dark contrasts and filters), and truly creative, meaning the approach is unique to the photographer. Decide which style best fits your personality and aesthetic, then start asking around for recommendations—and make Erie Photography your first stop.

After you’ve narrowed down what and whom you like, send inquiries to all prospects. Feel free to blast emails (not texts) to multiple photographers, and be sure to mention how you heard of them and include your wedding date, guest count, and venue. (Knowing the scale and place helps the photographer figure a rough quote, which subsequently helps you determine if they are in your budget.)

This is just an information exchange. “We’ll get to know each other later!” Once you have a few finalists, ask to see three full photo galleries of events that are similar in size to your wedding. Looking at a full gallery helps you assess their consistency over hundreds of shots and proves they didn’t just get lucky with the half dozen snaps on their Insta.

Finally, schedule a time to get to know this person (talk on the phone, grab a coffee), and then discuss numbers in detail, such as rates, travel expenses, and hours of coverage. On average, couples shell out 12 percent of their total budget on photography—but remember, there’s no hard rule on that. (Your wedding, your priorities.) If there was ever a time to make a decision based on personality more than money, your photographer pick is it: This is a person who is going to see you at your most stressed/Spanxencased/emotional/happy.

Don’t you want to sit next to someone you like on that roller coaster?

Is This Photographer The One?

You might feel like there’s no real Guide to Wedding Photography. But, picking the perfect Wedding Day Photographer for your big day is easier than you might imagine. We’ve created a list of questions to ask the pros you’re considering to make sure your choosing the photographer who fits your personality and style the best.

View Our Online Wedding Galleries

What should I tell you about us?

A photographer needs to be a little bit in love with their couples. “That’s how we create our best work.” Remember, we’re capturing this Epic Moment in your love story. We need to have a relationship with you to understand how to capture your day. Erie Photography is focused on getting to know you. We’ll use Online Planning Forms and be there to talk about your relationship and your Wedding Day goals. We want to feel like a familiar friend on your Wedding Day so you’re relaxed and enjoy yourself.

How did you capture this shot that I love?

You’re attracted to photos that feel natural, but those pics don’t just happen—that’s the mark of a good photographer. Ask what our secrets are, whether it’s adjusting your hair or telling jokes; we have key prompts to make you feel comfortable and natural. A Professional Wedding Photographer will also have some techinical training and know how to create images that are more than just pictures. Each image we capture is a snapshot into your love story. 

Can I see your favorite Instastory?

Instagram stories are a great way to get to know each other. Social media helps you get familiar and friendly before the wedding—and feel comfortable together on the big day. We use Moodboards on Pinterest as well. Getting to know your photographers personality, style, and sense of humor before your Wedding Day will make it more successful. It will also help you pick out the right photographer for you. If you’re wondering what a Mood Board is….reach out and we’ll tell you all about them.

How do you help make the day run smoothly?

The last thing your wedding needs is to become school picture day. “Efficiency is key. Your photographer should have a system that works and that people love.” Our Wedding Photographers have a secret weapon in their arsenal. They’ve all been hand trained by a real Wedding Planner on the timing and flow of a Wedding Day. This helps them to keep things moving while also making sure you have the most amazing time at your Wedding. After all, pictures are important, but so is your family and friends. You’ll want to enjoy your time with them as well.

Will you fix my zits?

Find out how much editing the photographer does, like touchups and filters (and if it costs extra). Some Wedding Photographers seem like an amazing deal, but that’s because they shoot in a form that doesn’t allow much editing and then just hand you a bunch of unedited digitals. A Professional understands what in camera settings to use to capture an image that can be polished later to shine like a gem. Bring anything you’re self-conscious about to the attention of any photographer and ask them how they’re going to handle it. Another sign of a pro you can trust is that they’re going to understand that you like your right side better than your left and they’ll be creative enough to capture images that are flattering to you. And, if you have something you know you want fixed, they should be able to offer you editing on those images.

What You Get For Your Money

Photographers usually have standard packages plus add-on expenses. Here’s a look at what you can reasonably expect.

Communication: 

You may book up to a year in advance, but don’t expect to be in constant contact. After you sign the contract, you probably won’t really hear from them until the month before the wedding. Then meet to put together a list of must-have pics (like group shots with Grandma). But remember, the best pics are candid, so don’t load them down with too many guidelines. Our Policy is open communication any time you have a question or concern. We send Planning Forms to each couple as soon as they book so you can start giving us the information to make your day a success!

Package: 

A standard job usually includes 8-80 hours of coverage, with prices ranging greatly, depending on the photographer’s location and experience. Our recent survey found the national average is $2,500, while the high end tends to be about $20,000 and up to (are you sitting down? Is your dad?) $60,000. Each additional hour is about $300-$500. Some Photographers include a Second Shooter while others will charge a day of fee or an hourly rate for a Second Shooter. It’s essential to know what’s included in the package. You also have to ask yourself: Is just Average okay for my Wedding Day?

Delivery and deadline: 

Every Wedding Photographer is different when it comes to Delivery of your Photos. Some will post a few sneak peeks that night or the next day to their Facebook or Instagram Story. Some will make you anxiously wait until their sure the editing is perfect and ready to reveal to the world. We tend to release a few teasers within 7-10 days on Social Media depending on how busy our Wedding Season is at the time. You can expect a delivery of a Full Viewing (or Proofing) Gallery anywhere from 6-12 weeks with a pro who’s taking the time to polish each image to perfection. Our average delivery time is 6-8 weeks depending on the size of your Bridal Party & Family and the length of your Wedding Day. More pictures, means more editing time. 

Delivery also includes how you receive your images after your Wedding Day. It’s super important that you know this. While some photographers hand over all your digital images, many Higher End Professionals retain the rights to those photos and will tell you what you get as part of your Wedding Day Collection. Each of our Collections explain what combination of Printed Images and Digitals are included. The average cost of Digital Images across the nation can range from $25-$250 with most photographers charging about $75 for digitals. The average cost of an 8X10 Print is $25-$75. Make sure you check out what the cost is of your photos beforehand so you can budget correctly.

How To Be Photogenic, Even if You’re Camera-shy

Communicating with your Photographer is the key to getting the most flattering images. Tell your photographer what makes you self-conscious. If we know a bride is uncomfortable about her arms, then we mindful of that. Trust the pro to guide and position you. Foundation is your friend. So many brides want a natural look, so they skip base and load on the concealer, says a makeup artist friend of ours. “Flash photography turns that into a reverse raccoon eye.” The fix? An even canvas of tinted moisturizer, which looks flattering in every light. 

Remember, you’ll be smiling a lot. “Consider what your face looks like when you’re smiling,” says Patton, and apply makeup with that in mind, concentrating blush on the apples of your cheeks, drawing a long swoop of liner on upper lids, and adhering false lashes at the eyes’ outer corners. Fake it till you make it. Grinning on demand can feel awkward; we ask our clients to give me their best fake laughs. It feels so goofy that real laughter quickly follows.

Book Erie Photography, Photographer Services for Your Wedding or Next Event.

Erie Photography™

Erie Wedding & Event Services
Wedding Disc Jockey | Erie Photography | Wedding Photo Booth | Wedding Videography
1001 State Street, Suite 1400, Erie, PA 16501
814.662.1037 | info@erie-photography.com

Begin Planning Your Photo Shoot

Now that you’re in the know about everything Wedding Photography let’s talk about capturing YOUR Unique Memories!

Erie Photographers’ Blog