Why is there a big difference in wedding photography prices?
1. Talent & skill
Not all wedding photographers bring the same thing to the table. Some rely entirely on their gear and hope for the best—no real understanding of lighting, composition, or what makes an image feel alive. Then you’ve got the competent ones. They’ll get the job done with decent photos, technically fine, but forgettable. The kind you scroll past without a second glance. And then there are photographers with true creative talent—the ones who draw you in with a single image. That kind of artistic eye is a God-given gift. But it doesn’t stop there. It takes years of practice and technical skill to consistently turn vision into reality. Talent alone isn’t enough—just like skill without vision falls flat.
2. Experience
Experience plays a huge role in both pricing and peace of mind. A newer photographer—even a talented one—might come with a smaller price tag, but also a steeper learning curve. They may struggle to wrangle your family for portraits, miss key moments because they weren’t in the right place, or freeze under pressure when something doesn’t go as planned. The more weddings someone’s photographed, the more they’re able to stay calm, problem-solve, and still deliver beautiful work, without you ever knowing there was a hiccup.
And then there’s the experience of working with them. Are they bringing a clear creative vision or asking you to send inspo and shot lists? Do they help you feel confident in front of the camera, or leave you second-guessing everything? Do they move through the day with ease or turn your wedding into a photo shoot? At the end of the day, you want someone who adds calm, not chaos, to your timeline.
3. Image Editing
Some photographers hand over your images exactly as they came out of the camera—no edits, no adjustments. Others go all in on retouching every photo. Either way, it takes time. A lot of time. Polishing up your images is hours of behind-the-scenes work that often gets overlooked. Some photographers with lower fees may charge extra for retouching, while others (like me) include it in the base price.
But editing isn’t just about removing a blemish or making colors pop. It's also about consistency. Are the bridesmaids' dresses the same color in every photo? Do skin tones look natural? Does the gallery feel cohesive? And most importantly—when you look at your images, do you see your wedding… or do you see the photographer’s editing style taking center stage? That balance matters.
4. Quality of Products
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Not all wedding albums are created equal. High-quality albums are made to last, with thick pages, rich printing, and covers crafted from materials like genuine leather, not bonded scraps. They’re built to be handled and passed down without falling apart. Lower-end albums might look fine at first, but they often warp, fade, or peel over time, especially around the seams and cover edges. These are common in lower-cost packages where quality takes a back seat.
Even if you’re not planning on an album, the same principles apply to prints. Professional-grade prints use archival materials that preserve color and detail for decades. Budget prints may fade, yellow, or deteriorate much faster.
I believe your wedding deserves more than temporary keepsakes. That’s why I only offer heirloom albums and museum-quality printed art.
5. Customer service
It’s one thing to take great photos. It’s another to make the whole experience feel easy and stress-free. Lower-cost photographers might be juggling too much to give you the attention you deserve. Responses can be delayed, answers might be vague, and when issues come up, you’re often left to figure it out on your own.
Turnaround times can be frustrating, too. Some couples wait months just to receive their photos, and even longer for their album. I’ve delivered complete wedding albums in as little as two months because I follow a clear process that keeps things moving and makes sure you’re never left wondering what’s next.
6. Prepared, Professional, and Legit
Photography is one of the easiest businesses to start, which is why so many people jump in without much experience or structure. But running a professional wedding photography business takes a lot more than a nice camera and an Instagram page. It means being licensed, insured, and prepared for anything. If their camera fails mid-ceremony, what’s the backup plan? If their hard drive crashes, are your photos gone?
Professionals commit to dates far in advance and stick to them, even when it means missing big moments in our own lives, so we can show up for yours. I can’t count how many last-minute calls I’ve received from couples whose photographers backed out. It’s heartbreaking, and it’s avoidable. That’s not how I operate. If your date is on my calendar, I’m showing up—fully prepared and all in.
My process is designed to give you a smooth, stress-free experience. That means being fully licensed and insured, using clear contracts so expectations are set, and having reliable systems in place to keep everything on track. I show up with professional gear and backups, just in case. And because I only take on a limited number of weddings each year, you’ll never feel like just another date on the calendar.
What should I expect to pay for a wedding photographer?
I remember the sticker shock when I was planning my own wedding. I was still a hobbyist at the time and had no idea what went into the cost. Wedding magazines often underestimate the actual price of photography and sometimes give questionable advice, like hiring a student or putting disposable cameras on the tables.
If photography is important to you, expect to spend at least the average price for your area. Just keep in mind that those averages often skew low, since they include weddings that didn’t hire a professional photographer.
Here’s a helpful resource to estimate costs based on what real Atlanta couples spent on photography. (Heads up—the album pricing is not accurate. What they suggest barely covers the wholesale price of a high-quality wedding album.)
Choosing a photographer is easier when you know what really matters.
