DesRose Loc: Phoenix, Arizona

In Arizona it is not unusual for people to spend a total of $4 to 5K for photographer AND videographer. These days a lot of people want both. For photography $2-3K not unreasonable for good photographer especially if that covers everything (travel time, actual wedding/reception time, editing, and final photos in an album or album(s)). It also typically includes more than 1 photographer shooting the wedding. If the wedding/reception (including getting ready for the wedding photos) takes 5 - 9 hours that would be $2,500 to $4,500 at the $500/hr rate. I personally charge $50 per hour for ANY photography I do which includes travel time, shooting time, and editing time with no other photographer in attendance. Recipients get final edited images on a CD ROM to do as they wish with no printed photos or albums. I ONLY do small weddings and tend to specialize in gay/lesbian ceremonies. A half hour to hour ceremony typically ends up costing the couple around $250 to 350 by the time I include travel, shooting, and editing time. My only cost besides gas/auto wear and tear is the cost of 1 blank CD ROM. If you were to look at my expenses in terms of only shooting time...my fees would be considered to be $250 to 350/hour. If I were doing this as my main career, I would have an ancillary photographer and would be charging in the same $400 to $500/hr range or $2-4K for package deal. If people think wedding photographers make a lot of money...multiple an average of $2-3K times 25 weddings in a busy year = $50 to$75K before ALL expenses or $100 to 150K for 50 weddings before any and all expenses (car, gas, 2nd photographer, editing, and final product cost). Not surprisingly a lot of busy pro photograhers net around $40 to 50K per year.

DesRose Loc: Phoenix, Arizona

I left out ADVERTISING expenses. I get my business from referrals only; however, if I were to do this for a main living...there would be a lot of additional/advertising expenses as well (such as magazines and wedding expos).

Yankeepapa6 Loc: New York City

If the wife gets "everything" then you have a very bad lawyer.

Yankeepapa6 Loc: New York City

My daughter was married in October. This is the second wedding this photographer has done for us. She used two assistants and I thought worked her butt off. Yes...yes, of course, they deserve to eat. You are a little light on your high end.

DMGill Loc: Colorado

When I photographed weddings I expected to eat also. Sometimes you are working from 10AM until 3AM and food helps you keep going. Also, most people don't want to see photos of others eating so meal time is a perfect time for the Photog to eat.

repleo Loc: Boston

I was not critiquing the photography profession based on my negative experiences. I was disputing if photography is really a profession.

That fact was brought home to me when the photographer reneged on our written contract and cancelled the session. Short of taking her to court, there was nowhere to register a complaint, seek reprimand from her peers or call her to account for her actions. Photographers are not bound by any specific regulations, licensing, ethical standards, code of conduct, duty of care or standard of education any more than a gardener or a carpet layer. Photography may be a vocation, an occupation, a job or a business, but it is not a profession. Granted, to be a successful photographer requires dedication, experience, talent and investment. To make a decent living from photography requires mastery, craftsmanship, skill and business acumen. Nevertheless, anybody with a camera and enough gall can put themselves out to an unwary public as a 'professional' photographer with little or no consequences.

Just my opinion.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Actually in my contracts i had a 'do not feed the beasts'.

We were there to work, not to dine or be merry.

We did eat or drink* but out of scraps in the kitchen** when there was a lull and never at the same time.

----
* No alcohol.
** Crispy (not burnt) parts of a roast-beef are delicious, something never served so there was plenty of it.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

If a photographer does not belong to an association or any type of professional organisation, it is a sign that the guy may be able to take professional quality images but not a pro.

There lies a difference too many forget.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

I respect your opinion and conclusions. However, you are basing them on the experience of two photographers of daughters' weddings. Suppose the experience had been one of complete satisfaction and your family was thrilled with the results. Would your "critique have even appeared in the post or your conclusions been altered?
I really do not desire to enter into one more circular UHH debate. I was only questioning the criteria you used for your conclusions and opinions.
Happy Holidays!
Mark

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

If you hire a TRUE top wedding professional photographer, that is a reasonable fee. Proofs and prints and other imaging services are usually extra. Photography is a professional service. Photofinishing is a separate service.

The wedding market has several tiers. At the top are photographers who command in excess of $5000 per wedding on a regular basis. At the bottom are the "Uncle Harrys" who will photograph it for free, and the crowd of iPhone bearers who all jump in. In between are the amateurs who charge a $1000 for a CD with poorly processed JPEGs on it.

Some professionals put it in their contracts that they will be the EXCLUSIVE photographers for the ceremony and all the formals, but will allow anyone to work the reception, so long as they're not paid. IMHO, this creates a better environment for the ceremony, both for the audience and the happy couple.

lowkick Loc: Connecticut

10 years ago the going rate in CT was anywhere from about $3,000 to $8,000 for a wedding. Those were the numbers I was quoted for my daughter's wedding. Don't forget, there is usually a second shooter for a wedding, travel time, materials and the many hours to process the photos. All that is covered by the per hour charges for shooting on the wedding day.

mrussell

I'll wager if you ask your wife, she may have a different opinion of the value of wedding photographs.

repleo Loc: Boston

Happy Holidays to you too Mark, and good shooting in the New Year.

Phil

Jerry Coupe Loc: Kent, WA

I don't think $2500 per wedding, especially if prints are included is out of the question for a quality professional wedding photographer. I suspect the wedding day can easily be 8 hours with pre wedding, wedding and reception components.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Thank you Phil.
Be well and joyous
Mark