How to Save Money on Wedding Photography

With inflation rising all around us, it certainly feels like we are nearing economic doom. But what is a couple to do if they want to tie the knot in these trying economic times? First and foremost, it helps to have an understanding of why photography costs what it does. And fear not, there are several things you can do to keep your budget in check. So get your spreadsheets ready and let’s dive into today’s blog post about how to save money on wedding photography. Trust me, you can save money without compromising on quality.

Why Wedding Photography is Expensive

Before we get into saving tips, it’s essential to understand why wedding photography can be so costly. Believe it or not, wedding photography involves more than just clicking a button.

The Time Commitment

Pre-Wedding Consultations: As your photographer, I spend several hours in consultations with you, planning the shots, visiting the venue, and understanding your vision. For my clients, I always visit my venues about two weeks prior to the wedding so that I can have a ‘dry run’ of the space and plan out creative locations for portraits. I will then create a Pinterest board of my venue check to make sure that my client and I are on the same visual page.
Shooting Time: On the wedding day, your photographer is often the first vendor to arrive and the last to leave. They can easily spend 8-12 hours capturing every moment, from getting ready to the final dance.
Post-Production: This is where the bulk of the magic happens. For every hour spent shooting, photographers can spend up to three hours editing. For 10-hour wedding, I take on average 4,500 images. I have to then cull through these images, retouch every photo, and upload them to the client gallery for a final count of about 1,000 images. I then make full resolution copies of each image and a black and white version of each image. And in case you are curious, ALL images require some degree of editing. You should never accept unedited images.

Equipment and Skill

Professional Gear: High-quality cameras, lenses, lighting, and editing software are not cheap. Professional photographers invest thousands of dollars in their equipment to ensure they can capture stunning images. My own gear includes two Canon 5D Mark IV camera bodies, the full suite of Canon professional ‘L’ series lenses, plus four Canon 600 EXII speed flashes. This is in addition to the computer and multiple hard drives I have back at home.
Experience and Skill: Years of training, an artistic eye, and the ability to handle the pressures of a wedding day don’t come overnight. You are paying for my 15 years of expertise and creativity.
Insurance and Licensing: Professional photographers carry insurance to protect against accidents and have the proper licenses to operate their business. Asking ‘are you insured?’ should be a non-negotiable question to ask your photographer. And yes, I am fully insured for both general liability and equipment coverage.

Really it all comes down to math. I came across this article that has a good breakdown of how much wedding photography costs per hour.

Questions to Ask a Photographer

Knowing the right questions to ask can help you get the best deal and understand what you are paying for. Here are some key questions to ask your photographer:

What is included in your package?: Photographers offer different packages, so it is essential to know what each one includes. Does the package cover a second shooter, prints, an engagement session, or digital files? For my clients, a package is definitely a better deal if you are looking for six hours of coverage or more for your wedding day.
Can we customize a package?: If a photographer’s packages don’t fit your needs, ask if you can create a custom package. This can help you avoid paying for services you don’t need. My own packages focus on time, and if one package doesn’t work for you, you can simply opt for hourly coverage.
How many hours are covered?: Make sure you know how many hours of coverage you are getting. Ask about the cost of adding extra hours if needed as these hours can often come a different rate.
Do you charge a travel fee?: If your venue is far from the photographer’s base, there might be additional travel fees. Clarify this upfront.
What is your backup plan?: Ask about their plan in case of equipment failure or if they fall ill. A professional should have contingencies in place.
How long will it take to receive our photos?: Post-production time can vary. Knowing the turnaround time will help you manage expectations.
Can we see a full gallery?: Looking at a complete wedding gallery will give you a better idea of their style and consistency compared to just seeing highlight reels.

I wrote an article recently about how to find a wedding photographer in San Antonio. In this article I go through the steps for vetting your photographer in order to make sure you are working with a reputable vendor.

Tips to Save Money on Wedding Photography

Now, let’s explore some practical ways to save money on your wedding photography without sacrificing quality.

Limit the Hours

This is my number one tip: instead of having your photographer cover your entire wedding day, consider hiring your photographer for a limited number of hours. In most cases, this means covering just the ceremony, a few portraits, and the start of the reception. If this is your plan, I suggest structuring your reception so that you schedule the more photogenic events (speeches, cake cutting, first dance, etc.) at the beginning of the event.

In the end, your photographer is going to have a better understanding of how much time you actually need. My recommendation is that you lay out your photo priorities and plan your schedule together with your photographer.

Do the (package) math

If you are set on having a full day of coverage, then make sure you look at all the packages available and determine the most economical price per hour. Photographers will often charge less per hour if the number of hours exceeds a certain amount.

Skip the Engagement Session

While engagement sessions are great for getting to know your photographer and becoming comfortable in front of the camera, they are not essential. Skipping this session can save you a few hundred dollars.

Another option is to simply book your engagement session separately from your wedding. While I offer packages that include an engagement shoot, if you only need a couple of hours of wedding coverage (at $400 per hour), you can simply tack on an engagement shoot separately at a lower rate ($300 per hour).

Book Early

Photographers often offer discounts for early bookings. As soon as you have your date and venue, start looking for a photographer. The earlier you book, the better the chance of securing lower rates.

Choose Off-Peak Dates

Weddings in the off-season (typically winter months) or on weekdays are generally less expensive. Photographers are more likely to offer discounts during these times because they have fewer bookings.

Opt for Digital Only

Albums and prints can add a considerable amount to your bill. Opting for a package that includes only digital files can save you money. You can always print the images later or create an album yourself using an online supplier at a much lower cost.

Look for Promotions

Keep an eye on your photographer’s website and social media for any promotions or discounts. Photographers sometimes offer specials during the slow season or around holidays.

Negotiate

Don’t be afraid to discuss your budget with potential photographers. They might be willing to offer a custom package or suggest ways to stay within your budget.

Things to Request that Affect Pricing

When discussing packages and pricing with photographers, there are specific requests you can make to help manage costs:

Shorter Coverage: Request coverage for only the most crucial parts of the wedding day instead of photographing everything start to finish.
Single Shooter: A second shooter adds considerable cost, so ask if your photographer can work solo. Check out this article to determine if you really need a second shooter. (The answer most of the times is a solid, ‘no.’) And by the way, as a documentary-style photographer, I shoot all of my weddings solo.
Digital Delivery: Request digital files only and handle printing and albums yourself later.
No Albums or Prints: Opt out of any included albums or prints in your package.
Use Existing Packages: Instead of customizing, see if you can slightly modify an existing package to suit your needs better. In some cases you may not be able to adjust the final price, but you can add extra hours or items to an existing package.
Venue Partnership Discounts: Some venues have preferred photographers who offer discounts to couples getting married at that location. It’s worth checking if this is an option.

How NOT to Save Money on Wedding Photography

You absolutely should not go with an inexperienced photographer. The old adage of ‘you get what you pay for’ is as true in photography as it is in life. I am not suggesting that a photographer’s quality is based on the price charged, but if you are only paying a tiny amount for your wedding photos, then you have to ask what costs are being cut in overall delivery.

All photographers have to start out somewhere, and yes, you can hire a less experienced photographer for less money. However, you are taking a chance. A photographer’s experience means that she can handle anything that comes her way, such as bad weather or venue rules and regulations. Just make sure you have evaluated your photographer thoroughly and have contacted client references. I also recommend viewing several client galleries (i.e., full set of photos sent to a client, NOT just highlights). My rule of thumb is that you should like at least 80% of the photos a photographer delivers to a client. This way, you know what to expect.

Also, asking for less edits isn’t a good idea either. As a professional photographer, I would never, ever release unedited photos to a client. My worth as a business owner is in the expertise I provide. Editing is the ‘special sauce’ that makes your photos pop and come alive on screen. Anyone can simply press a button and snap a photo. It is the editing that takes an image and transforms it into a captured memory.

Remember: a wedding is not a ‘do- over’ event, and there is no chance to get a different photographer once you start to walk down the aisle. At the end of the (wedding) day, if you don’t receive quality images, then you have wasted your money. Spending hundreds of dollars and only coming away with two good photos is a horrible return on your investment. Think instead of the bigger picture where you pay more upfront but receive more excellent photos in return.

Conclusion

Wedding photography is an investment in preserving the memories of one of the most important days of your life. While it can be expensive, there are numerous ways to save money without sacrificing the quality and artistry of your photos.

The bottom line is that saving money on your wedding photography all revolves around time. If you want to pay less than you need to take up less of the photographer’s time. Packages can often be your best bet if you want to have your whole day covered. But if you are only interested in the ceremony plus some family portraits, then you are realistically only talking about two hours of time.

Remember, the key is to communicate openly with your photographer about your budget and needs. Most photographers are willing to work with you to create a package that provides the best value without breaking the bank.

Enjoy the images and I’ll have more photography advice (and adventures) next week!

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If you found this article on ‘The Best Wedding Jobs for Family and Friends’ useful, then check out my equally interesting articles here:

Are you interested in saying ‘I do’ San Antonio? Drop me a line and let’s chat about how I can help you. I have hourly rates, and all photo shoots include editing and high-resolution files.

To view more images from my wedding photography portfolio, please visit my website – KellyWilliamsPhotographer.com