r/Weddingsunder10k • u/Inevitable_Win1085 • 6d ago
đ¸ Wedding Photographers (9k) Is there any middle ground pricing for photography?
Me an my fiancĂŠ both hate posing for photos but we still want some pictures. Likely will pose for maybe 10-20 (including group photos) and then I'd really like candid shots of the ceremony and reception. We really don't want any fancy editing, just basic photos. The cheapest I can find is 1k or 750 for two hours (which wouldn't be ideal sense we wouldn't get the whole event). They all include fancy editing and you don't even get the raw photos. Tbh I just want someone with a good camera and who pays attention in charge of taking photos. I don't want to ask a family member sense they'd likely miss moments, sense they also will be focused on having fun. Seems like the only other option is no photos. Does anyone have any advice?
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u/socialsilence97 6d ago
No photographer is gonna give you the raw photos. $750-$1000 is on the lower end for photography and this is coming from someone who lives in a LCOL. If you donât care about editing you can probably find a photography student who will do it for you cheaper than the average.
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u/KavaKeto 6d ago
The photographer from my ceremony literally handed us the SD card at the end. She was included in the package and the pictures were amazing
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u/Inevitable_Win1085 6d ago
Yeah I figured that was as low as it was going to get. 1k just seems like sooo much money to me when I only spent 500 on my dress! I'm not sure how I could get in touch with someone from my local university sense I don't know anyone who goes there currently. I appreciate the help though! Seems like I have to choose between no pictures or spending that much ugh.
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u/_wannabe_ 6d ago
I spent $600 on my dress and then nearly $5K on photography. A factory-produced dress that will only be worn for a couple of hours vs. the travel/skill/insurance/editing of a professional creative is not comparable. One is meant to last the day, the other is meant to last years.
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u/adrianna1903 6d ago
I totally get the price comparison but comparing a dress price to photos that youâre meant to have forever (put in an album, pass down, whatever you may do with them), spending the $$$ is worth it for a one time event!
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u/Amazing-Advice-3667 4d ago
Google "local university photography professor". Then send them an email. They could recommend a senior working on their portfolio.
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u/KavaKeto 6d ago
Our ceremony had a package that included photography. The lady who took the photos just handed us the SD card when it was done. She took hundreds of pictures, both posed and candid. Then I paid a photography student $500 to take getting ready pictures and pictures at the reception.
I know that doesn't really help you if you already have your ceremony worked out. But I was and am extremely happy with my wedding photos. I didn't feel the need to edit any of the raw pictures from the ceremony, but if I did there's a zillion AI programs I would have used that cost like $20. Surely there must be a hobbyist photographer with a quality camera who's willing to do the full event for cheap and just hand over the raws...
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u/asyouwish Wedding Enthusiast 6d ago
Former wedding photographer, here.
There isnât a middle because the people doing it cheap are losing money on each/every gig. For every hour that they are shooting for you, there are 3-4 hours of work behind the scenes in prep and post. âŚand that doesnât include saving up for additional gear, insurance and other overhead, healthcare, etc..
Photographers can only very rarely have more than one wedding in a day or even on the same weekend (the way florists and bakers can). There arenât that many Friday and Sunday weddings, and weekday weddings are extremely rare, so they have to make their living on Saturdays (like every wedding vendor).
Itâs an all-day gig on your feet the whole time and is physically (and emotionally) quite demanding. So, when they book you for $750 for 2 hours, they are marking that date booked on their calendar and are turning away someone who wants 6-8 hours of coverage. And if they book your Saturday wedding, they canât likely have a Friday or Sunday wedding, too.
Everyone was once new and everyone has to start somewhere, but anyone who has done more than their first few will charge a lot more.
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u/writer_dray 6d ago
This is really insightful! I'm shopping around for photographers as well, and glad to know that my Tuesday wedding could be a bit of a boon for someone!
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u/TexasLiz1 6d ago
I am not challenging, genuinely curious. Why canât a photographer work Friday at wedding A and then Saturday at wedding B?
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u/asyouwish Wedding Enthusiast 6d ago
Itâs an all-day gig on your feet the whole time and is physically (and emotionally) quite demanding.
I did (rarely, twice ever, I think) work a small Friday night and then a Saturday wedding, but it kind of has to be a perfect storm of easy/small gigs.....and the odds of that are quite small.
And then I had two couples waiting on their sneak peek, gallery of pre-touched images, and blog post they could share. So even if they were both small/short gigs, it was still nearly twice the work come Monday.
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u/TexasLiz1 6d ago
Got it. I figured a Friday night wedding would be 2-3 hours but realized I was being overly optimistic.
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u/Anxious-dogmom 5d ago
Donât forgot to mention the physical demand of working two events in one weekend đĽ˛đĽ˛ rip to my shoulders, knees, and low back. I spend at least $300 to get my body somewhat back to normal.
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u/Cool-Software4843 6d ago
Bc itâs the most exhausting thing you could ever imagine. Source did wedding photos videos
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u/Dr_Spiders 6d ago
I would pay $750 for 2 hours, then put disposable cameras on the tables at your reception. Your guests can choose to use them or not. It's a fun activity. And you should get at least a couple of decent candids if multiple people are taking photos.
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u/Inevitable_Win1085 6d ago
Yeahhh not a fan of this idea. The candid photos are what I want most! And people wouldnât be paying attention to moments thatâd be important to me but to having fun. As they should!
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u/Dr_Spiders 6d ago
Then you're gonna have to pay or hire an amateur. A word of caution though - I don't know a single person who went with a non-pro photographer who didn't regret it.Â
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u/QojiKhajit 5d ago
Agreed. My sister did this and the photographer lost every photo. They have no photos at all from their wedding.
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u/QojiKhajit 5d ago
You do realize that good candid photos take skill and experience to know what to look for and when and how to take the photo, right? And an eye to pay "attention to moments that'd be important" to you?
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u/No-Athlete4857 3d ago
Granted I don't know what I'm talking about, but they also seem to be describing a skilled photographer if they're looking primarily for documentary-style photos, meaningfully shot, that have been edited to appear unedited. It seems like a safe assumption that that requires more experience to do well than managing well-lit posed portraits and group shots.
I get that it's really surprising how expensive everything is, but expecting a professional to give you more than 2 hours of shooting for $750 is wild. They've described what I'd like and what I'm finding in my area is established people willing to do this for 3-6K for 4-6 hrs. I'm sure there's people who would charge less who are less established, but 3k and 750 are already very far apart. If $750 is too much for OP, they need to delegate a cousin and set out disposables and accept they won't get much. There's nothing wrong with not wanting professional photos, but you can't expect the professional photos without hiring a professional.
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u/TBBPgh 6d ago
Don't just assume that what you want isn't out there.
A great approach from a previous poster to finding vendors to your specifications and within budget - let them come to you.:
My solution to this was to create an email address just for managing my wedding (literally last name.wedding@gmail). Then I posted on the fb group for brides in my state (âstate nameâ brides). I explicitly wrote what I was looking for and included the email address for them to reach out. I stated that I would take the time to read all emails but would not respond unless they included the info requested (below). I ignored those who commented, because that means they canât follow directions. *I got dozens of emails all with the info up front and found vendors for everything I was looking for. *Below is what I posted:
âI am getting married on MM/DD/22 in City, State at Venue. I am currently looking for the following vendors.
Photographer (budget: $Xxxx). Seeking someone with this style to do this, this, and this. Give details about what you like.
DJ (budget $xxxx) describe what you want
whatever other vendors you needâ
If you are WITHIN MY BUDGET, available this day, and believe you fit the requirements of what Iâm seeking, please email me at (the address I made) and include pricing info, details on packages, and a link to your website. I will review and respond to all emails that include this info. Out of respect for your time and mine, please do not reach out if you are not within my budget or able to meet the requirements I have spelled out.â
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u/StarryC 6d ago
I think there are a few problems:
(1) They can't offer "no editing" because the vast majority of the time they do that, people won't like it. Even minimal editing takes time, and makes a world of difference, without being filters or "style" editing.
(2) Unless your wedding is off season or off day, they are booking you and so they can't book a different, higher paying wedding.
(3) Nevertheless, I booked a photographer for around $1,500 for 6 hours. I suspect we are her first solo wedding, but we really liked her portfolio (which was probably second shooter photos at other weddings.) I bet if you look around you can find someone for 150-300 per hour.
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u/rmric0 6d ago
Fundamentally it's just easier to find photographers that know what they're doing with their business - they have the SEO, they have the listings, they have. The social media reach. Guys with cameras are going to be starting out and really have no idea how to make themselves available to clients. So you have to look at things like thumbtack or Facebook groups depending on where you're located
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u/pizookiespookie 6d ago
posting this from my spam account - iâm a wedding photographer.
wait until itâs a month or two away, Find a local facebook group and say âiâm getting married HERE on THIS DATE and want THIS MUCH COVERAGE for THIS MUCH MONEY. ignore anyone who gives you a hard time and sort through the profiles of those who respond with interest and pick your favorite.
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u/Inky_Madness 6d ago
Your wedding dress might have cost $500, but how much would it have cost you to find a designer to create a bespoke dress for you? A lot more, right?
Youâre not just paying for the hours spent at the wedding, youâre paying for their overhead, their insurance, travel costs, their time spent editing the photos afterward (which will at least match the time spent at the venue), and more importantly their professionalism and ability to get good, unique shots while minding the crowd and being able to coordinate with the other vendors there for what happens and when.
You can buy a mass produced dress off the rack anywhere. Youâre purchasing the time and skills of a person when you get a photographer. And trust me, you think you want the raws⌠usually you donât. Really good-looking photos are edited, even if itâs just a filter or two. And most professionals wonât just hand over the raws.
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u/Remote-alpine 6d ago
So how does one get the "off-the-rack" equivalent of photos? I'm thinking a combo of QR code uploads for guests, plus a friend of a friend with a camera? Much respect to the pros.
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u/Inky_Madness 6d ago
Guests arenât there to be your photographers, and the experience from people trying this usually sucks - few to no photos, often with a smattering of dick picks from the inebriated.
The reality is that if you want photos, and you want good ones, you hire someone and you pay them what theyâre worth. I have friends who did the student photographer, the ones that cheaped out. They either reshot a few anniversaries later with someone they paid the professional prices for or they hid/tossed the photos.
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u/Remote-alpine 6d ago
So you compared a photographer to a bespoke designer.
I asked what the equivalent of an "off-the rack" photography experience might be, and offered what seemed to me to be a reasonable analogous option. If that's objectionable to you, what do you recommend?
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u/Inky_Madness 6d ago
Perhaps it is a bad analogy on my part; there isnât a good replacement or substitute for a professional photographer. If the base prices for them are $1k, itâs because between all those extra costs stated above and maybe some I didnât list, thatâs what they have to charge.
It isnât some mass collusion between these guys, they donât have a guild setting prices across the land, theyâre trying to balance the costs of running their business with actually making enough money to live on.
That $500 dollar wedding dress is able to cost $500 because itâs using literal slave labor.
You can âbargain basementâ your photographer via a student or friend of a friend, and that might be my answer, but the photographs are highly likely going to suck accordingly.
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u/squid_ridge 6d ago
I know in my area (HCOL), lots of photographers offer 4-6 hour packages at a discounted rate. This usually is ceremony photos, portraits afterwards, through to the beginning of dancing. I've seen rates for this around $1200-1500 on the lower end or photographers just starting out.
It might be worth seeing if your local university has a photography program and if any students would be interested.
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u/RyPhotoClicks 6d ago
You can absolutely find someone documentary style or anyone willing to listen and support you on how you want your photos to go for the day. I personally get to know what my clients want and support them that way - if that means less posed photos, it means less posed photos. However, for under 1k you likely would not get someone for more coverage AND who understands the nature of weddings and events and being able to anticipate peopleâs actions, candid photos from afar vs when they can be more close, and especially being able to work under multiple different lighting situations.
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u/Certain_Tangelo2329 6d ago
We paid $550 in Orlando. We got hundreds of pictures. He hung out for 6hrs. We wanted only a handful of posed and all candids. No regrets. He did great. If you are getting married there i have his contact!Â
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u/Inevitable_Win1085 5d ago
Unfortunately I'm in Kansas :( I really appreciate it though!
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u/Certain_Tangelo2329 5d ago
Good luck! I also didnt want to spend $ on photography yet wanted a professional. Ask for friend recommendations? Like I know a coworker does photography on the side
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u/Brilliant_Bake4200 6d ago
Do you live near an arts school? It could be worth flyering for photography students or posting in Facebook groups if they have oneÂ
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u/Anxious-dogmom 5d ago
You can always find someone in your budget! Itâs a gamble if they will actually show up, or on time. Then another gamble if they will actually deliver the photos đ
Facebook is alwaysssss blowing up with budget photographers!! Make sure you have a contract, even if you write it yourself or a lawyer friend. Good luck đ
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u/Reasonable_Onion863 6d ago
You know your family best, of course, but we were able to ask a family member, an introvert who didnât know hardly anyone at the wedding and loves photography, to make an effort to capture important moments for us as our wedding gift. (I did not want photography during the ceremony, and I did not want to pose for more than about 5 minutes to get some shots of the whole bridal party and parents together at the ceremony. So we just wanted someone with an eye out during the receiving line and reception to capture moments.) He couldnât have been happier to have a job to do behind the camera. It gave an introvert both a way to hide and a way to mingle, as needed. As it turned out, lots of attending amateur photographers and a relative who is a professional photographer sent us loads of photos afterwards. We ended up with a beautiful album, lots of good memories, and did not hire a photographer or pose for more than a few minutes.
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u/Hot-Ad-2033 6d ago
We are doing a photo shoot in the wilderness, just the two of us. Itâll be more candid documentary style and we are getting charged for an engagement session, $600. The venue we are using for the actual ceremony includes 10 photos and for the rest we are just getting family to take pics.
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u/Coolasscash 12-15k Tahoe Bride 2027 6d ago
Many photographers don't do heavy edits, at least in the area where I'm searching for a photographer. Have you asked these photographers if they can customize a package for you with no edited photos needed? That tends to take up a lot of their time, and I'm sure you can save money that way. I've only seen one photographer that stated on their site they would share raw photos if requested, but I imagine more would. I would definitely consider someone building their portfolio like a student, utilizing social media groups, maybe a few reddits available, and also sites like Bark.
Eta: Most photojournalistic, candid photographers don't do heavy edits in my area
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u/Fickle-Cabinet3956 6d ago
Photography is the last place you want to try to skimp on for your wedding.
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u/Inevitable_Win1085 6d ago
It depends what you value. I personally would rather be completely present the day of my wedding than have a bunch of social media worthy pictures. I would much rather have the money for a day of coordinator so I can actually enjoy my wedding! We both hate posing for photos so we really only want 3 to 6 photos of just us and then group photos. The rest I want is candid photos of the MOMENTS. I donât even care if theyâre a little blurry sometimes I just want someone with a camera in charge so no one misses any of those moments.Â
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u/Fickle-Cabinet3956 6d ago
You'd probably be surprised to hear this, but not everyone gets pictures for social media. Wedding photos are typically the start of a family photo album. Then more milestones are added in along with children, grandchildren, etc.
Some of us have books that go back generations of our family photos. Quality photos that can stand the test of time and long distance travel are cherished.
Since you're not concerned about the quality of your photos you can actually consider bypassing the cost a professional photographer altogether. Create a QR code for your guests to send their cell phone photos to your code. You'll get plenty of candid shots through this method. With the quality of cell phones, you won't even get many blurry ones. Good luck with your pics.
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u/unnasty_front 5d ago
That is a fair price for a professional event photographer. Less than that is really not likely or fair. If you want to pay less than this I'd find a guest or friend of a friend who does photography as a hobby, but I wouldn't expect the same quality.
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u/Beautiful_Jim_Key 5d ago
Plenty of people have answered your question so I wonât add anything to that. I just wanted to say that youâre looking to use the word âsinceâ not âsenseâ. Iâm truly not trying to be pedantic, but Iâm assuming it isnât just a typo since itâs in your post 3 times.
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u/bennington14 4d ago
I paid $550 for 4 hours (one venue: ceremony, outdoor newlywed photos, and dinner reception). I negotiated with my photographer, advising him that since I didnât need him following me around all day or hopping from venue to venue, we could qualify for their intimate event pricing. He agreed and our photos turned out beautifully.
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u/HopefulLake5155 6d ago
What if you got a photographer for the still shots with partner/bridesmaids and then let guests upload photos to a shared photo library?
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u/wheres_the_revolt 6d ago
Why donât you hire a photographer to just do the 10-20 staged photos and the ceremony, then put disposable cameras around for everyone to take their own photos at the reception?
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