How to price wedding photography
Updated October 31, 2026
Price wedding photography from your real costs and time, not from what others charge: add up the hours a wedding really takes (including editing and admin), your yearly business costs and the income you need, then divide by the number of weddings you can realistically shoot.
1. Count every hour, not just the wedding day
- Meetings and messages before the booking.
- Travel, the wedding day itself and any pre-events.
- Culling, editing, album design and delivery — often two to three times the hours of the day itself.
2. Add your business costs
Equipment and its replacement, insurance, software, storage, marketing, accounting, second shooters and taxes. Divide the yearly total by the number of weddings you shoot to see what each wedding must cover before you earn anything.
3. Decide what you need to earn
Set a yearly income, divide it by your realistic number of weddings, and add it to the cost per wedding. That is your floor — below it, each booking loses money.
4. Build packages around that floor
- A smallest package that still clears the floor.
- A middle package most couples choose, with the most popular extras.
- A complete package with everything — a second photographer, a film, an album.
- Clear extra-hour rates for weddings that run late.
5. Check it against your market
Compare with photographers of similar experience in your area. If you are far below them, raise your floor; if you are far above, make sure your portfolio and service show why. This guide is general business information, not financial advice.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours does one wedding take?
Usually far more than the coverage hours: editing and admin often take two to three times as long as the wedding day itself.
Should I show prices on my website?
Many photographers show a starting price so couples know if you are in their range, and send full packages after an inquiry.