$#@&! Wedding Photography is Expensive

The most important thing that you are going to have to select, after your wedding venue, is definitely the wedding photography. I'm not going to tell you to just go crazy and throw your budget out the window and spend MUCHO DINERO. I'm here to help you understand why it is necessary to invest. 

It's something that I struggled with when choosing my own wedding photographer for my own wedding. Of course, being my profession, I was going to be very picky about it. But what I didn't expect was the variety and the vast discrepancies in wedding photography prices. 

What's actually essential?

So what you need to know about myself and other photographers when you do your own research for wedding photography and videography, you have to ask yourself questions like what's actually essential? I noticed that every photographer and photography company is vastly different in terms of what they offer and their costs for similar services. 

Figuring out precisely what you need would help you determine how much time you may need with a photographer or videographer. If you need any additional services likes an album made or a video highlight reel. 

Expertise is a significant component. Making sure that whoever you select does have the knowledge and the time and has photographed weddings at a venue that you're looking at or the place that you have actually booked. 

It’s not just about taking pictures

So many think wedding photography is easy. You photograph for one day and get a big paycheck out of it. In reality, there's a lot more to it. Things like most wedding photographers are generally carrying around $10K to $15K in equipment. Most of us work 7 days a week and countless hours.

It can take three to four hours to edit every one hour of coverage. Add on top of that insurance, taxes, software, advertising, equipment, albums, consultations, education. You really are paying for the experience and the knowledge as well.

It’s also about what you know

I went to a world-renowned Art College and got a four-year degree in digital imaging. While most photographers and videographers that you've encountered may not have the same specific education, their experience does dictate how much they are going to charge.

I know how to not only avoid but, if unavoidable, edit out things in the background that won't enhance your big day. I've learned how to pose and accentuate a bride, especially when you're not generally comfortable in this big wedding dress considering It's not something that you wear every day. 

The nitty-gritty

I've learned professionalism in the chaos. When it's down pouring, and stress levels are already high. And it even sounds crazy to be able to stand on your feet for 10 hours straight during events with 50 lb of equipment on your back.

The list will go on and on, and I'm not saying that you need to spend an arm and a leg for wedding photography. Your wedding photos will last past your big day and It's what will show those memories and capture the day's feeling and how amazing and beautiful you felt.

The Details

There are some things to be aware of. For instance, make sure you're reading the fine print. There are still some photographers who don't edit the photos and don't do a lot of post-processing. They may be doing some color correcting and some small adjustments to a crop. 

But they're not necessarily taking the time to make sure things are edited out in the background. To make sure that the zit that showed up that morning is taking care of and magically disappears. 

The old terminology for it was “shoot and burn.” Because of course, its "I'm going to shoot all the photos, put them on a CD and hand them over." It's super cheap for a reason. I can compare most closely to event photography. 

If I'm going to a corporate event, I'm not necessarily worried about the wrinkles on someone's shirt or a pimple on their face. I'm concerned about making sure everyone's eyes are open, and the lighting is good. I still put love and care into all my photography but event Photography is very different still from a Wedding.

If you're looking for a photographer on a tight budget, you may lose the magic of the day, because of unprofessionalism or a lack of enthusiasm.

Wedding photography is an investment, it is something that will make a difference afterward. Especially when the day goes by so fast, and you need something to remind you of that fantastic day that you worked for a year planning.

If you are looking for a destination photographer or need some advice on what to look for in your wedding photography and videography, let me know I'm here to help.