THE COST OF A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

If you are planning your wedding, one question you have surely asked yourself is, "How much does a wedding photographer cost?" You may have searched online and found a wide range of proposals, more or less appealing to your wallet. But then you may have asked yourself, "Do we want the best or do we settle for it?"

The cost and the reputation of the photographer are closely related.

Experience is one of the most important factors for a wedding photographer. The wedding day is a big mechanism that requires perfect synchronization between the various parts. In this context, the photographer plays a key role since he is the one who dictates the pace of the crucial moments of the day: the bride and groom leaving the house, entering the church, leaving the church, the photo shoot after the ceremony, and the bride and groom entering the reception. In case delays or other issues occur during the day, it is the photographer's responsibility to adjust the schedule and try to make up for any shortcomings. For these reasons, the wedding photographer is a figure of great importance to the bride and groom and must have ample experience to best manage the entire day. A photographer's experience and positive feedback represent reliability and assurance, and this is reflected in the cost of his or her services. 

The more renowned a wedding photographer is, the higher his demand will be and, consequently, the higher his cost will be.

Let's talk about the fixed costs of a photographer

Excluding the current special situations where there are professional photographers without a studio and amateur photographers without a VAT number who work weddings to supplement their main income, I will consider the situation of a professional photographer with a studio to run.

The studio is an important environment for both the photographer and the client. It is here that the first meetings take place to get to know each other, dialogue, show the material, and reach a mutually satisfactory agreement. It is here that meetings take place to view the images, select the best photos, define the layout, and choose the album from several options. Finally, there is the final meeting to deliver the work, where the magic of printing the album always creates a unique emotion. Thus, the studio is an indispensable work space for the photographer, where he can welcome the client in a suitable environment and offer him the guarantee of professionalism in the work to be done.

The fixed costs that a photographer with a studio usually faces are:

• The rent of the premises.
• The management of one's photography studio, such as office costs, supplies, telephone, electricity, internet, and other expenses necessary for the operation of the studio. 
• Insurance costs: include professional liability insurance and equipment insurance to protect the photographer from damage or theft.
• The payment of an accountant.
• The purchase, periodic maintenance of photographic equipment and updating of computers. 
• Subscriptions and software: subscription to photo editing software for image management Continuing education in the technical-arts field.
• The purchase and maintenance of the means of transportation.
• Investments in advertising and marketing.

The difference between a professional photographer and an amateur photographer

Aside from the presence of the studio, which as we have seen plays a very important role in the work of a professional photographer, I would like to focus on the guarantees that a professional offers to protect the client as opposed to an amateur wedding photographer. Of course, I will speak directly from my experience in the field and describe the way I work.

• The professional invests tens of thousands in professional equipment. Every 12 months or so, there is an update of cameras and lenses. Keeping up with the times means offering the client the best photographic quality both technically and aesthetically. We shoot very differently today than in the past, thanks in part to equipment that allows us to capture natural and emotional shots. The skill of the photographer and the advanced autofocus of modern cameras contribute to extraordinary results. The more equipment is upgraded, the greater the chances of achieving this important goal.
• The editing is much more accurate. Every three or four months, the most important photo editing programs for any photographer, such as Photoshop and Lightroom, are updated. New procedures have been introduced to selectively manage and enhance parts of a person, such as the face, body, clothing, eyes, mouth, hair, etc. All this results in very thorough editing, which has greatly improved the appearance of images.
• Image backup is always present. The professional always works with two cameras, different lenses, two flashes, etc. Professional cameras have two separate slots that accommodate two memory cards, allowing you to take a picture and record a copy on another card to back up images at the same time, avoiding problems if one card malfunctions. Only professional cameras offer this dual recording slot. Next, files are captured and recorded on three hard drives, creating three copies of each job. The possibility of encountering problems in this sequence of work is very remote, but think of someone working with a non-professional machine, with only one card slot and only one backup hard disk. It is like walking balanced on a tightrope over a cliff. Just thinking about it gives you chills.
• Training is an ongoing journey because photography is a field in which we are constantly learning. One of the most important features of my work is continuing education. Personally, I have two levels of training: that of a journalist, being a photojournalist registered with the Order of Journalists of Tuscany, and that specifically on photography. The training on photography and editing is aimed at constantly improving my skills and comparing myself with the best national and international wedding photographers. These photographers are a source of inspiration because they represent excellence in the field of photography and video. By analyzing and studying their shots, I am able to improve to offer the client a product aligned with the international standards of the best wedding photographers.

These are just some of the guarantees that a professional photographer offers his or her clients. We are committed to devoting a good portion of our time to handle the work as well as possible and deliver the best creative product possible.

When you start looking for your wedding photographer, I encourage you to ask them how they work and what guarantees they offer their clients.

The average cost of a wedding photo shoot

Returning to the cost part for the wedding photo shoot, in addition to the breakdown of fixed costs that will be included in the various services of the studio in the form of a percentage or lump sum, the following parameters should be considered to calculate the average cost of a wedding photo shoot:

• The total duration of the wedding (on average it is 10 to 12 hours of work)
• The difficulties of the day
• Distances and travel by car
• The time required for post-production (15 to 20 hours of computer work for various revisions to be made)
• Close deadlines

However, the most important parameter to take into consideration among all those described above is precisely the date of the wedding. Many photographers offer discounts if you book well in advance.

Tip: When you decide to get married, the first rule to get the lowest price is to book the photographer as early as possible. This way, you will secure the highest discount.

The price also varies depending on the package you choose for your wedding photo shoot. 

The offerings of my photography studio start with the photo shoot in addition it is possible to customize and complete the package of wedding services with the following options:

• CINEMA STYLE VIDEO SERVICE: CINEMA STYLE video differs from the classic romantic video often seen in wedding video productions. This type of video has a narrative that reflects my photographic style, with an approach based on reportage and storytelling. It offers a modern vision in line with high-quality international productions.
• PHOTOBOOK on photo paper: Albums printed on traditional photo paper, available in different sizes and with customizable inside pages.
• PHOTOBOOK On FINE ART paper: Albums printed on pure cotton and acid-free FINE ART paper, using color pigment inks for durability.
• COMPOSIT PHOTO BOOK ALBUM on photographic paper and FINE ART: The COMPOSIT PHOTOBOOK is a special digital photobook that combines several printing techniques. In addition to the traditional structure of digital photo books, it offers FINE ART prints, pages with MEGA HALES ON 4 PAGES, VELINE AND FILM SCREEN prints, PHOTOPITTINGS and AEROGRAPHY, all made by hand by Italian artisans of excellence.
• ART COVER SELECTION: A selection of the best covers available on the Italian market, where you can find the cover of your dreams.
• Special boxes to hold the album as SCREENS, BOXES OR CASES made of WOOD, PLEXIGLAS OR FABRIC.
• ALBUMS for parents in different sizes.
• PHOTO BOOTH with instant cameras and disguises.
• VIDEO MONTAGE on the same day as the wedding: This is a new service recently included in the package, it allows for a video montage of the day's footage to be projected at the end of the reception.

The price of a wedding photo shoot

We have come to the conclusions, and now we need to talk about figures. Indicatively, the cost for a professional photo shoot varies between 800 and 1500 euros, but it can rise to over 3000 euros if you add products and different services to the package. As for amateur photographers without a VAT number, the cost ranges between 300 and 800 euros, but in this case the lower price often results in a lack of protections and guarantees for the client.

Many couples were surprised by the beauty of the album print compared to seeing the photos on the screen. Other couples who did not choose a professional photographer came to me to solve problems about the photos taken or the albums made.

When choosing a photographer for your wedding, remember that you are about to experience the most important day of your life. Select the services you want based on your budget, but don't skimp on quality of work or professional guarantees to avoid unpleasant surprises.