Planning Tools, Ideas, & Advice
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For Wedding Pros
As couples increasingly opt for small and intimate weddings, one key vendor remains indispensable: the photographer. Capturing the moments, emotions, and stories of your big day is crucial, and hiring the right small wedding photographer ensures that your memories are preserved for years to come.
According to The Knot, 90% of couples hire a photographer for their wedding. But you might be wondering, how much does a small wedding photographer cost? Understanding how this important wedding pro fits into the overall cost of a small wedding is really helpful as you begin to map out your budget. While costs can vary significantly based on location, experience, and specific services offered, this guide will help you understand the factors influencing pricing and what to expect when budgeting for a small wedding photographer.
According to the Wedding Report, for small wedding photography, couples spend about $2,000 on average. Averages can serve as a helpful guide, but the cost will vary depending on factors like the number of hours required, the photographer’s experience, and additional services offered, such as albums, location scouting, coordination or engagement sessions.
While smaller weddings may have fewer guests and a more intimate setting, photography prices are not solely based on the size of the guest list. In fact, I’ve seen some of the highest package prices for elopement photographer services without any guests, but that’s because they provide a lot of coverage and additional services along with the photography. The photographer is often the only vendor an elopement couple will hire so it makes sense to have support in other areas such as coordination and venue selection from the photographer.
Location plays a significant role in determining the price of a wedding photographer. For example, wedding photographers in major cities like New York, Los Angeles, or San Francisco typically charge higher rates than those in smaller towns or rural areas. Urban photographers often deal with higher living costs and business expenses, which can drive up their pricing.
If you’re planning a small wedding in a less populated area, you may find photographers with more competitive rates. However, always weigh cost against quality to ensure you're getting the expertise and service you desire.
As with most services, the more experienced the photographer, the higher the cost. Established wedding photographers who have built a strong portfolio and reputation tend to charge premium rates. They often bring a wealth of knowledge about lighting (like getting the best shots during golden hour), composition, and capturing candid moments that less experienced photographers may not have.
One of the most significant factors affecting a photographer's price is how many hours you need them on the day of your wedding. Standard wedding photography packages typically offer 8 to 10 hours of coverage, but small weddings sometimes require less time.
Many photographers offer packages for smaller weddings, allowing couples to pay for only the coverage they need. I chose a 4-hour photography package and that gave us enough time to capture final getting ready shots, my family seeing me in my dress for the first time, the ceremony, family pictures, photos at a remote mountain location off-site, dinner, speeches, and part of the reception.
Wedding photographers often offer a range of add-ons and services that can affect the final cost. Some of these might include:
If you and/or your photographer determine a second photographer is appropriate to capture all the details that will increase the cost for your photography services.
If your photographer needs to travel a significant distance to reach your wedding venue, additional travel costs may apply. These can vary widely but expect to pay for mileage, accommodations, and other expenses.
Conversely, if you’re getting married in a really cool location, you might be able to find a photographer that’s willing to provide services at a discounted rate to build up their portfolio or just have the chance to shoot in a dream location.
Wedding season and the day of the week can also impact pricing. For instance, getting married during peak wedding season (typically spring and summer) or on a popular weekend date might lead to higher photographer fees due to increased demand. On the other hand, planning a wedding during the off-season or on a weekday can often result in discounted rates. Many photographers are willing to offer deals for weddings held on less popular dates or during slower times of the year.
Even if you’re working with a tighter budget, there are several strategies you can use to save on the cost of a small wedding photographer:
A large portion of the cost of a small wedding photographer is time. Since small weddings often have a more condensed schedule, you may not need a photographer for the full day. Opting for fewer hours of coverage can reduce the overall price significantly.
Some photographers are open to creating custom packages tailored to your specific needs. If certain services, like an engagement session or album, are not a priority, you can negotiate a package that fits your budget.
If you plan to hire a videographer, hiring a team can provide cost savings and you can rest assured that they’ll know how to work well together.
You can reduce the cost of the photographer for your small wedding by ensuring there aren’t any travel fees, but this tip goes beyond saving money.
You absolutely will get the best experience possible from someone who knows the area. From secret photography locations to the best vendors to navigating weather to how the light is at different times of the day, hiring a local small wedding photographer will pay off in many ways.
If you're comfortable taking a slight risk, hiring a newer photographer with a growing portfolio can lead to more affordable rates. Just be sure to vet their work and check reviews before making a decision.
Some photographers offer discounts for couples who book well in advance. Securing your photographer as early as possible can also help you lock in current rates before they increase.
This is a general money saving tip as it applies across the board, especially for things like your wedding venue.
When it comes to hiring a small wedding photographer, understanding the average costs and what factors influence pricing can help you make an informed decision. On average, couples can expect to pay around $2,000 for a small wedding photographer, depending on location, experience, hours of coverage, and additional services. By being mindful of your needs, doing thorough research, and negotiating where possible, you can find the right photographer who fits both your budget and your vision. After all, investing in quality photography ensures that the memories of your special day will be captured beautifully and cherished for years to come.
