How Much Does A Wedding Photographer Cost

Most people will say that wedding photography iscasual candid. You may also what to check with the
both an art and a science. You need to capture thecinematic or photojournalistic approaches. A
right emotions during key times that can not beprofessional wedding photographer will be able to
recreated. So how much does a weddingdistinguish and explain the different approaches
photographer cost? I will tell you this much, you willbetter.
usually get what you pay for. This includes theWhen do I speak with my wedding photographer
creativity and time spent to create something unique.company
A professional wedding photographer in MichiganEveryone is different on this issue. Personally a
works very hard for the fee they request.reputable company will want to maintain a close
You want your wedding to be perfect, and nothing isrelation and constant communication with their client
more important than the images from your once in ato ensure a mutual understanding. However, some
lifetime special event. You will look back on thesemay have a few conversations over the phone or in
photos ten or twenty years from now reflecting ontheir studio to finalize the details. Either way, it is
these precious memories. What do you expect fromimportant that you express exactly what you want
your wedding photographer? Do you want somethingso that the two of you are on the same page.
simple, or something truly customized to your needs?The photographer you are speaking with, will they be
This is a question you will have to ask yourselfthe one shooting on your big day? Make sure to see
before finding out how much a weddingthe portfolio shots of the actual photographer that
photographer will cost.will be shooting on your wedding day.
How Much Does a Wedding Photographer CostHow much does a wedding photographer cost
Well have you decided on what you're looking forThe real question to ask, is how much will I be
yet? Before you do, you will need to understand thegetting in value. This price range can vary between
difference between cheap and good. I am sure you$1,000 to $10,000. You can expect to pay a minimum
heard the slogan, 'Cheap is not good and good is notof $1,500 for a small Sunday wedding and a minimum
cheap'. You will usually get what you pay for. Asof $2,500 for a small Saturday wedding. If you are
mentioned earlier this will be reflected in the time andoffered a package for less than $1,000 then you are
energy put into your wedding day.probably dealing with a cheap wedding photographer
Knowing that your memories are on the line, you willthat does not have the experience. Most couples
have to feel comfortable with the weddingunder estimate the cost of their photographer by as
photographer you hire for your special occasion. Domuch as 50%! A good rule of thumb is to expect to
you get the vibe that they will be able to deliver onpay twice as much as you are considering. A typical
your wedding day? Can they handle the expectationswedding photographer is usually 15-25% of the total
you have set for them? The best advice is to lookwedding cost.
over their portfolio and see if you notice any trends.How Much Time Does a Professional Wedding
If you do, then you are probably dealing with aPhotographer require in order to give me what I
cookie cutter service that does not step outside theneed
sphere of influence often. Another Biggie is recentThe time your photographer spends on your
references from brides within the last six months.wedding, will depend on what type of events you will
These people will be able to tell you how they felthave. No two weddings are the same, and your
about their decision and the wedding photographeroptions vary. This includes:
you are considering.Rehearsal dinners and services
Cheap Wedding Photographers in MichiganBrides preparation
Buyer beware, there are many part time hobbyistFormal bride and bridesmaid photography prior to the
out there that claim the title as a full time devotedwedding
wedding specialist. When looking over their portfoliosFormal bride and groom photography prior to the
do you notice color and emotion? Do their pictureswedding
tell a story about the day as it unfolds? SomeWedding ceremony
different poses and indoor outdoor shots will giveLeaving the church (post ceremony)
you an idea of the imagination of the vendor you areFormal group photographs
working with. This has to be one of the mostReception photography, including grand entrance,
important aspects of the choice you make. Forspeeches, toasts, first dance, father daughter dance,
example, many cheap wedding photographers inmother son dance, bridal party dance, cake cutting,
Michigan might not carry this trait. If they do, thenbouquet and garter, and final departure from the
their prices may be set low to acquire businessreception
because of a lack of referrals. You will have to doHow many wedding photographs should I get
the investigating to figure out how their pricesMany professional wedding photographers include the
compare and what is the reasoning behind theircost of proofs in their packages. These proofs are
pricing structure.typically 4x6" prints. The amount of proofs will
Average Wedding Photographer Pricesdepend on how much film is shooting. The minimum is
It never ceases to amaze me that most brides makeroughly 120-150 shots. This is a typical number to
decisions based on pricing alone. This is a big no nowork from, because from there you can select the
when it comes to hiring the company that can makebest shots for your album or to be enlarged.
or break the entire evening let alone day. Going backAbout those wedding photography negatives, who
to what we said earlier price should be the leastkeeps them
important factor. Now I would like you to think reallySome Michigan wedding photographers will keep the
hard for one moment.negatives and have their brides order reprints after
Do you want your wedding reception and weddingthe wedding reception. These photographers make a
ceremony pictures to be averageportion of their income from these orders and
Honestly, no bride does. Your wedding is differentenlargements. These photographers will usually keep
from all the others being planned. So how does yourthe negatives on file for 2 years giving you the
photographer set him/herself apart from theoption to order if necessary. Other wedding
competition? Do they bring additional assistants tophotographers in Michigan will give back the negatives
get more than one perspective? What is the turnfor you to use. Keep in mind that this option may be
around time on the proofs? To help you distinguishmore costly since you will only have to use their
between the average and the exceptional, I have laidservices once. Make sure to ask this question to find
out a couple of helpful tips on how to choose aout what exactly happens to the negatives after the
wedding photographer below.wedding.
Why hire a professional wedding photographerWedding Photography packages in Michigan
First of all you will have piece of mind knowing thatMany photographers in Michigan offer packages with
you are in good hands. The last thing you need to betheir services that cover a variety of options. This
is stressed on your wedding day wondering if theway you can select the one that best fits with what
photographer is going to show up. Now you manyyou are looking for. It is sometimes more effective
save hundreds by cutting corners and going with ato have the wedding photographer arrange the album
lower priced service, but it may cost you thousands(if it is included in your package), because they will
later down the road. Looking back on those precioushave the creativity of arranging the images in a way
images will they hold up to the standards and qualitythat tells a story. Not only will this save you time, but
that you were expecting? Also a professionalthis cost is usually a small percentage of the total
wedding photographer has to be able to finesseprice. However the cost will depend on a couple of
themselves into intimate situations to get the shot.different things:
This means having the courtesy not to compromiseTime allowed to photograph the wedding ceremony
that special moment just to get the shot.and reception
How do I search for a professional weddingThe amount of wedding proofs/photos
photographerThe number of enlargements requested
If you stumbled upon this article, then you areThe overall layout and type of photo albums. You
searching over the web. This is a good place to startcan have them for your parents or just different
to get a general idea of what is expected. Fromthemes. As mentioned earlier the cost is usually not
there I would setup up several consultations to seethat significant however the more expensive albums
their work and discuss their packages. Something towill have a better quality and longer life span.
pay close attention to is the way they handle theirIs black and white wedding photography still in style
consultation. Are you just another bride, or do theyA more traditional approach to wedding photos is
work extra hard to make sure you completelyblack and white instead of color. This will give a
understand the options and how they will personalizetimeless feel with a touch of elegance. Your wedding
your day? If you are hung up on the pricing, thenphotographer should offer B&W along with color
you may ignore their reasoning and justifications untilphotos. You can always change a color picture into
you get a price and that can cloud your decision.B&W, but a pro will shoot the negative in black and
Another good place to start the hunt for thewhite. The impression that black and white photos will
photographer is through friends and family. They willgive is amazing, and usually these pictures are more
also be able to tell you of their experiences andcostly. Any reputable wedding photographer should
results. Make sure to get references and check withhave a printer dedicated solely to printing these
at least three of them. Most wedding photographersimages.
in Michigan will travel. Find out what their coverageFinal considerations for a Wedding Photographer in
area is if you are planning a destination wedding.Michigan
Narrow down the list of photographers for yourSo we laid out 10 points above on how to narrow
weddingdown the gap between the wedding photographers
Now that you are a pro at interviewing and knowingyou are looking at. A couple of final considerations
what to expect, you may be on the fence withare the type of lighting your photographer will be
several companies. Do not get me wrong, price isusing, the equipment/filters, how many assistants,
important but going back to the main question youand photo copyrights. Now that you have been given
will have to find out what you want. Not allsome great advice on how to choose a wedding
photographers are created equally so you will havephotographer, it is up to you to make the final
to find the one that suits your particular style.decision.
Several different styles are traditional, classic, and