Why is a wedding photographer so expensive?

I want to use this blog to answer some of the most common questions I get from clients so that they can ask more specific questions pertaining to their wedding when they meet with a photographer they are considering hiring for their wedding.

One of the most common questions I get asked when I meet with potential clients is : "Why is it that all wedding photographers are so expensive? After all, were only paying you for 1 day of work!" I agree with my clients that it is not cheap to hire a wedding photographer. It's not something that everyone can afford. However, it is not cheap to be a wedding photographer either. One common misconception of our profession is that we don't have much (if any) overhead. That couldn't be farther from the truth.

I strive to give my clients the best image quality possible while keeping the cost down for them. Professional photographers like myself don't go out and buy consumer camera equipment. At the start of my company, over 50% of my profit went back into my equipment. It's not cheap to take great photos.


Once you lay your head down on your pillow and go to sleep on the night of your wedding, your wedding day is officially over for you. It's just starting for me! Your wedding day is MUCH more than just the one day for me. The editing process is a long and tedious one. Here is a breakdown of my process :

1. Upload images from wedding to the computer (1 hr)
2. Back up images (1 hours)
3. Process and edit all images(8 – 9 hrs)
4. Upload gallery for clients and blog my favorite images (3hrs)
5. Create slide show from wedding (2 hrs)
6. Create wedding albums if the wedding calls for one (3-5 hrs)
7. Make changes to wedding album that Bride and Groom request(1 hr)

 As you can see, it takes someone who is dedicated to their craft to be a wedding photographer. I hope this blog entry gives clients a better perspective of what it takes to be a wedding photographer.