Why it’s worth investing in a wedding photographer

There are a lot of ways to save money while planning a wedding. And honestly, there are a lot of wedding services you simply don’t need.

But a photographer isn’t one of them.

Out of everything you could spend money on for your wedding, I’d argue your photographer is the most important expense. And here’s why:

You will cherish your wedding photos forever. You’ll frame them and feature them on the walls of your home. Your family members will print their favorites and proudly display them on bookshelves and mantels. They’ll be the one keepsake you return to year after year to reminisce about your big day.

Experienced wedding photographers price their services accordingly, but their time and talent are well worth the investment.

You get what you pay for

It’s not always the case with other services, but with photography, you get what you pay for.

Unless your best friend or a close relative is a trained lifestyle photographer, you can’t expect to receive quality wedding photography services for free.

Expect your investment to match the quality of your photos.

Do some photographers overprice their services? Absolutely. But I’ve found most price their services reasonably based on the results they deliver and the time they invest in the process.

Standard photography services

Most wedding photographers offer packages that include:

A 1- to 2-hour engagement session
A wedding day photography timeline (which will come in handy if you don’t hire a wedding coordinator)
6, 8, or 10 hours of wedding day coverage (plus any scouting they do beforehand to discover the best backgrounds and lighting)
An optional second shooter on your wedding day
A digital gallery of edited photos you can download or have printed

While $3,000 may seem like a hefty sum for 8 hours of work, keep in mind your photographer’s job starts well before your wedding day, and it doesn’t end when you ride off into the sunset. They spend countless hours sifting through images, editing the very best ones, and preparing your gallery.

Services you don’t think about

And you’re not just paying for the images. You’re paying for a photographer’s professionalism and expertise.

Downpour with thunder and lightning during your outside photo session? A seasoned photographer will know just how to handle the situation, keeping you calm and somehow managing to snap amazing photos despite the weather. (Ahem, this is exactly what happened on our wedding day, and I am so thankful for our photographer, Hadley, who was so poised!)

Sensitive dynamic between divorced parents? An experienced photographer will know how to manage delicate relationships and keep everyone smiling throughout the process.

Uncomfortable in front of the camera? A good photographer will respect your boundaries and help you strike poses that flatter your figure and make you feel confident.

Ways to save money and still get excellent photos

There are a few ways to trim your photography budget if you need to.

Search for photographers with 1-3 years of experience. Newer photographers might price their services lower than their competition, simply because they don’t yet have the experience to justify a higher price point. But many new photographers learned from seasoned photographers as their assistants or second shooters before starting their own businesses, so the quality of their work is consistent with a more established photographer.
Book the minimum hours of coverage on your wedding day. Unless you want both getting-ready photos and sendoff photos (the bookends of your wedding day), your photographer can capture all the meaningful moments of your day in 6 hours. Having a first look before your ceremony really helps!
Nix the second shooter and the videography. Let’s be honest — how often are you going to watch that wedding video after your first few months of marriage? For an intimate wedding, one photographer is plenty.
Research photographers outside your city and state. If you’re not finding photographers within your area whose styles you like, or whose packages you can afford, expand your search. There are a lot of photographers who are willing to travel and may have better rates than ones nearby, especially if you live in an area where the cost of living is high.
Create a shot list. Now, this one doesn’t directly save you money, but it saves you time during family and wedding party portraits. Less time on portraits = more time for details and candids at the reception. Think through all the combinations of family, bridesmaids, and groomsmen you want pictures of (e.g., bride & groom + bride’s parents, bride & groom + groom’s parents, bride & groom + siblings, bride + sister, groom + brother, etc.). Then, write the first names down of each person in each group for your photographer so that they don’t have to learn who’s who.

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Happy planning!