wedding photo cost

What would a photographer charge to shoot a small wedding of just the ceremony? I know the price can very but what would be a reasonable price to pay?

This question is often asked but can't be answered by anyone but you.

Ask yourself:

1.) How long will it take me to meet, shoot, post-process and follow up?
2.) How much is my time worth?

Add in to the mix what others in your area are charging, what demograph you're targetting and how much love you can generate from your clients, and you're on your way to a number.

You will find many more answers in other similar threads.

Another very important thing to consider is your skill level

I guess I should mention its not me shooting the wedding. I'm just trying to see what a fair price would be. I do understand I'm short on information and I'm waiting to here back to see what this photographer is charging.

k9trainer wrote in post #5136363
I guess I should mention its not me shooting the wedding. I'm just trying to see what a fair price would be. I do understand I'm short on information and I'm waiting to here back to see what this photographer is charging.

Ah well that changes things!

Let us know who and what they're charging and the feedback will be more helpful

In the rules of negotiation, the rules say whatever their first price is, it's too high.

k9trainer wrote in post #5136175
What would a photographer charge to shoot a small wedding of just the ceremony? I know the price can very but what would be a reasonable price to pay?

This is like asking, "what would be a reasonable price to pay for an original oil painting".
There is know way to tell you what is reasonable because there simply is too many variables. The biggest of course is what your personal taste is in the style/quality of an image might be and if the photographer being hired is capable of delivering on your expectations... or maybe beyond. We all have different tastes. I've seen styles produced by top photographers who make top dollar that i don't care for. Then I've seen some local no-name high school kid kick out dynamite images I would be willing to pay good money for. You simply need to view the portfolio, determine if the style fits your needs, then determine if the price being asked is reasonable, maybe in comparison to other photographers in the area producing the same quality/style. If it is in line, it is reasonable, if not, shop around.

Anywhere between free and $5,000 depending on the photographer's experience and skill level. Also depends on area.

In my neck of the woods, it starts around $2000-2500 for a good, experienced photographer, and goes up from there. One of the national chains that works here lowest price is $2400. That's for one photographer, a proof book and a small number of prints. I hear plenty of people ending up in the $3000 to $5000 range, once the albums, enlargements and everything else are all printed and delivered.

A newbie often charges less.

A friend of mine first approached me asking for a discount. While I mulled it over for a day or two, he actually hired someone who said he'd shoot it "for the experience" and $200. Bet those are some great photos!

The wedding photographer is for my daughters wedding, she had some quotes and I was checking to see if they were in line.

But now her plans have changed and her wedding will be on the beach in Hawaii. I'm going to do the shoot for her, I like out door weddings the most and am looking forward to it.
Thanks for the replies.

Make sure you get a deposit and a contract.

Just Kidding -- Enjoy Hawaii, and congratulations!

amccomis wrote in post #5144297
Make sure you get a deposit and a contract.

Just Kidding -- Enjoy Hawaii, and congratulations!

Oh you know I will.
We spend all of our free time in Hawaii and will be in Kona for a couple week in May and back to Oahu for the wedding in August.
Just to make work worth wild I have to go at least a couple times a year.

Man, I know it will kill me to not shoot my daughter's wedding, but it would kill me even more to not be a part of the day (in regards to being memorialized in the photos). Seriously, spend 2-5K (if you can) on a good photographer. If you can't afford it then that's understandable but if you can you won't regret it. I would imagine your daughter would love to have beautiful images of her daddy giving her away (I'm thinking about when you're gone ).

Bobby

And to add to your original question, I don't know many excellent wedding photographers that will shoot only for an hour. I only offer all day. If the client tells me they only want me to shoot for an hour, then that's okay. But I charge for the whole day no matter what. Shooting one wedding on saturday keeps me from shooting any others on that saturday. Hope that helps!

p.s. my wife and I got married on the beach and it was amazing! Hope you guys have an incredible time