26/03/2025
Why does a Photographer charge so much for “only a few hours work”?
Factors that contribute to the cost:
1. Expertise/Experience: Wedding photographers are skilled professionals with many years of experience. They have the knowledge to capture important moments, handle lighting, and ensure the best compositions in various conditions. That expertise is one of the main reasons reflected in their pricing.
2. Pre/Post Event Work: The hours spent at the event might only represent part of the photographer’s total time commitment. There’s a lot of preparation involved, like scouting locations, coordinating with the couple and vendors, and editing the photos afterward. The editing process can take a significant amount of time to ensure the photos are of a high standard of quality.
3. Equipment: High-quality cameras, lenses, lighting, and backup gear can be very expensive. Photographers invest a lot in their equipment and spend time maintaining it. Additionally, they often bring multiple backup systems in case of technical issues during the event.
4. Travel/Expenses: If the photographer needs to travel to your venue, especially if it’s far from their base, the cost of transportation, lodging, and meals might be added to the price.
5. Licensing/Rights: When you hire a wedding photographer, you’re not just paying for their time, but for the rights to use the images. The photographer’s pricing may reflect the cost of licensing their work, which could involve both digital and print rights.
6. Demand: Wedding photographers are often in high demand, especially during peak wedding seasons. The price reflects the demand for their services, which may include booking multiple events on a weekend or during the busy season.
7. Post-Event Delivery: In addition to the photos you see, photographers may include album design, prints, or digital galleries that require significant time to curate and present.
8. Overheads: We are required to pay for things like insurance, rent for a studio, electricity, heating, internet, editing software, gear maintenance/renewal (all of which has gone up significantly in price over the last 3-5 years), and on top of all of that we still need to find a way to earn a living wage
You're not just paying for the time spent on-site, but for the skill, experience, and extensive work that goes into making your memories last forever.
The average photographer will spend 40-50 hours on a full day’s wedding, from initial contact to delivery of the final images & album.