How much is a wedding photographer?

A wedding is a huge turning point in a couple’s life. Investing in good wedding photos allows you to relive that fairy-tale moment for a lifetime. But how much does a wedding photographer cost?

On average, basic packages cost around $1,000. This can go higher depending on your location, wedding date, among other factors. Some wedding photographers also offer hourly services, which cost $80 to $600 per hour, depending on their experience level.

With everything you have to plan during a wedding, it can be overwhelming. Do you want to know how much does it cost to hire a wedding photographer, or are you looking for a wedding planner? Here is a list of average prices per area based on Tasker listings:

Factors affecting wedding photographer costs

Many things affect how much a wedding photographer costs in Australia. We’ve listed the most important ones on this price guide:

Location

Depending on where you are in Australia, the prices of wedding photographer packages could go higher or lower. Typically, professionals in bigger cities charge more, but prices also increase if you're in a far or remote area. Wedding photographers often carry large, expensive equipment. If you need photos in multiple locations, you also need to work with a wedding coordinator. 

Wedding date

In Australia, the wedding season is September to May. Costs are higher due to the demand and tighter schedule. If you want to save money, consider having a winter wedding on a weekday.

Level of experience

The average cost of a wedding photographer or videographer also depends on their expertise. More established photographers naturally charge higher than part-time ones. Newbie photographers are still building their portfolios, so they usually offer discounts to customers.

Number of photographers

The more photographers and assistants you need, the higher the cost of wedding photography. However, a second photographer is ideal if you have many guests and a big venue. They can capture the warm smiles of your family and friends and take beautiful photos with perfect lighting.

Number of hours

Wedding photographers also charge by the hour, starting at $80 for beginners to $200 for professionals. You have to pay more to get extras, such as digital copies, albums, and more. Typically, weddings last eight to 10 hours, resulting in 2,000 dollars' worth of photography services.

Wedding photographer packages and their costs

The cost of hiring a wedding photographer in Australia depends on the package you choose. Whether you want a basic or luxury one with bespoke album inclusions, we’ve outlined the costs to help you plan for your big day: 

Basic

Expect to pay $1,000 to $2,000, the usual price range of part-time or starting photographers. The package includes complete coverage of the wedding ceremony and digital photos. Some also cover the reception.

Mid-range

This includes the basic package with more professionally edited photos. The photographer usually covers the whole wedding ceremony and some speeches. It costs $2,000 to $3,000.

Full

This costs around $3,000 to $5,000 and is the most common package covering the entire wedding day, pre-wedding shoots and consultations, and expert post-processing. Photographers who fall into this range are usually more experienced, have advanced equipment, and sometimes come with an assistant. The package includes professionally processed photos, digital copies on a USB, and physical albums.

Luxury

This has the perks of a full package. However, it comes with additional bespoke items, like a specialised album and prints or an online app or gallery showcasing your photos. Luxury photographers are fully equipped to cover more guests. Their fees start at $5,000.

Other factors

More things can increase the fees of wedding photographers:

• Administrative costs: These include the coordination or planning that happens before the wedding. Photographers spend time and creative energy to make your creative vision come to life.
• Destination wedding: A destination wedding can increase costs due to travel expenses and more landscapes or sceneries to capture.
• Equipment and software: Quality and more expensive equipment lead to higher photography rates. High-end editing software will also affect costs.

Preparing to hire a wedding photographer

Are you ready for your picture-perfect wedding? Here are some tips on hiring an expert wedding photographer:

Pick a theme

Before clicking the search button, consider what you want the photos to look like. A vision board or cut-out photos will help your photographer understand your goals and ensure you’re on the same page. This will also help you review different portfolios. If you can’t choose a theme, ask for advice from expert photographers.

Get multiple quotes

Next, post a Task. It is wise to get quotes from different service providers to understand current market rates and avoid over or underpaying.

Chat with Taskers

It’s always good to chat with different wedding photographers and get to know them more. You will be spending much time with them, so check if you can get along well. Ask about their experience, professional background, and equipment used. You can also ask about their rates or additional fees you need to note.

Do your research

It won't hurt to do more research. Read ratings and reviews online. Ask for their portfolio or a site where you can view their previous work.

Are you excited about your wedding day? If you need professional wedding photographers or decorators, you can get personalised quotes on Airtasker!