Sticker shock is a real thing when it comes to wedding planning. And it doesn’t matter if your budget is 10k or 100k. Especially since the pandemic has affected everything and everyone in the industry. Nothing looks like it did in 2019, and nothing costs what it did back then either, including wedding vendors.

But even in those days, I frequently heard, “Wedding photographers charge way too much. They only work eight hours and cost $4000 or more! I’ll just hire my friend who has a nice camera and takes the cutest photos of her kids.”

And I definitely get it. On the outside, it can seem like a ridiculous amount of money to put into something that looks so easy. Thousands of dollars to push a button for a few hours? 

But photography really is an investment for both the photographer and the couple hiring the photographer. So today, I’d like to pull back the curtain to give you a peek at why wedding photography can be expensive and why it’s worth the price for a qualified professional.

Cameras, Gear, and All the Things

Yes, there’s the initial investment of multiple cameras, but there are a lot of other gear, tools, and ongoing business expenses that keep me up and running. These include:

• Lenses
• Flashes
• Batteries
• Backup storage
• Computer programs
• Hard drives
• Memory cards
• Laptop
• Insurance
• Taxes
• Website domain/platform
• Branding
• Marketing

Just to name a few! These add up to thousands of dollars. But they don’t only help me. Things like backup storage help you too because it ensures you have your photos, no matter what. I take extra precautions in my business because I truly care about your wedding and preserving your memories.

Beyond Good Gear

There is so much more that goes into good photos than having good gear. So while your friend may take the cutest pics ever of her kids, it doesn’t mean she understands how to capture the emotion and story of a wedding day. A wedding photographer not only needs to be trusted that they can take great photos, they need to know what a wedding day looks like and be able to anticipate moments.

This takes time, skill and well-honed, professional experience. And that’s something you’ll definitely want your photographer to have because you can’t get those moments back. So yes, as a professional, having a great camera helps, but it’s not the be-all, end-all. It’s an art and a skill, and I’ve worked hard to master both.

The Experience

Sure, I show up and photograph the hell out of your wedding day. But I also work hard to provide an exceptional experience before, during, and after your event.

Before the wedding, I take the time to get to know you and answer your questions. I work with you or your planner to create a solid timeline with photography in mind (so the day doesn’t feel like a photoshoot). I’ll check to ensure we’re all on track and everyone is on the same page. 

On the wedding day, I arrive early and ease into the day. I stick to the schedule but also go with the flow. More than anything, I want to ensure you and everyone involved feel comfortable and taken care of at all times. So I will help guide you when needed, but overall, I’ll remain unobtrusive and let things unfold organically. 

And after your wedding day, I work hard to cull, edit, and back up your images – ensuring they are safe, sound, beautiful, and delivered – on time. All in all, I’m here for you well beyond the time it takes to capture your wedding day. 

Considering all these, a professional wedding photographer is worth the investment. Your photos are one of the few tangible things you’ll take away from your wedding day. In my opinion, you can’t really put a price on nostalgia – being able to revisit these memories for decades to come.

If you agree and need a New Orleans wedding photographer to document your big day, check out what I have to offer.