how much should you spend on a wedding photographer

in washington & northern idaho

AS A GUIDELINE...

beginner

MID LEVEL

PROfessional

$0 - $1,000

$1,000 - $2,000

$3,000 - $8,000

Keep in mind that this varies on the individual, the location you're in (Seattle will be more expensive than Yakima!), how long they will be photographing the wedding for, the final images in the gallery, etc. Theres a lot to consider. I recommend using my custom calculator for how much you should spend on a wedding photographer in Washington and Northern Idaho in order to find a more custom number!

This is risky business! They might be able to capture your day, but will struggle with lighting, posing, professionalism, editing consistency, and photo quality! They may miss important moments they didnt see coming (like a spontaneous kiss, a little side glance, or even putting on the rings!)

This is a good spot to be if you're on a tight budget! They will have some wedding comfortability, and you might feel comfortable with their style because you have seen a bit of their work! They might still struggle with different lighting situations; and not have the best gear, but they will get the job done!

A pro will make you feel happy, confident, and assured throughout the booking process and your wedding day! They can navigate all situtations, lighting, posing, etc with ease and beauty. Each image in your gallery will truly be art! This is a good route if you care deeply about remembering your day in the best way possible!

Looking for a wedding photographer can be overwhelming! There are so many photography styles to choose from, a lot of photographers charging “professional” prices without the experience that needs to come with the title, and hundreds of articles with different opinions on what you should do! My goal is to be transparent, honest, and informative while helping you navigate choosing your wedding photographer, giving insight on how much different photographers will cost, and breaking down where the price comes from!

xoxo,

Shanoah

Want some personalized advice on finding the right photographer for you based on your budget, timeline, location, and photography values?

schedule your dream wedding photographer consultation

why the big pricetag?

There are a lot of things that go into wedding photography pricing, and unfortunately a lot of those things aren't tangible!
Keep in mind, you are paying a photographer to capture once in a lifetime memories that you will want to re-live for the rest of your life.
A few of the important things that are factored into the price of a professional photographer that you may not get with an amateur is experience. Experience is what allows professional photographers to intuitively know the angle, lighting, wedding day scenarios, etc etc etc that will help them capture your day seamlessly and beautifully. You are also paying for professional communication, which includes consultations, month-to-month updates to remind you of payments, give you tips and tricks, wedding guidance, and a relationship with your photographer that will make the day comfortable and fun! You are also paying for peace of mind. It is truly priceless to know that you wont have to stress about capturing a moment, remembering who was at your wedding, or the way your photos will look. You can enjoy your day while a professional handles the rest! There are also costs included in the professional gear they have (if you've ever bought camera gear you know its not a cheap purchase!), how much time they spend physically taking photos, how much time they spend culling and editing, the amount of photos you receive in your final gallery, editing software, business insurance, taxes, transportation, etc etc etc!

how much time goes into a wedding, really?

2 hours
prepping for consultation & meeting with the couple

1 hour
sending post-consultation info, vendor recommendations, & general communication

1 hour
prepping for engagement photos

2 hours
engagement session

6 hours
culling and editing engagement session

1 hour
making and sending your welcome package

2 hours
prep for wedding (including your consultation a week before!)

5-12 hours
photographing the wedding

16 hours
culling and editing the wedding images

1 hour
making and sending your final photo package!

I can't speak for every other photographer, but for me

thats 41 hours total - a little over a whole work week!

At the end of the day, the best photographer for you is one that you

Feel a connection with

Will have no regrets about

Trust to capture every detail, emotion, and moment of your day in the way that you want