Choosing the right wedding photographer to capture one of the most special moments of your life is an important decision. The couple wants someone who understands their vision and can do it in a style they prefer. They should also trust them and feel comfortable with them, as they’ll be by their side for the entire day.
Something else the soon-to-be newlyweds may consider while selecting the perfect person is their pricing. Recently, Tripp Photo revealed hers on TikTok, and people were appalled, to say the least.
A TikToker nicknamed Haussdrama investigated this further and found out that she was asking $8.5k for photos that people in the comments called the “Willy Wonka Experience.”
Scroll down to find more opinions on the matter and a conversation with wedding photographers from the UK, Magda Kuczmik and Laura Shaw, who kindly agreed to provide their take on wedding photography pricing.
Something that soon-to-be newlyweds might consider before hiring a photographer is the cost
Image credits: @haussdrama
This wedding photographer shared her steep starting prices on TikTok, which received a lot of backlash
"You think I'm psycho don't ya mama"
Image credits: @haussdrama
Image credits: @haussdrama
"I just feel like the jewelry placement- it's just not working. It's really not."
Image credits: @haussdrama
"Possibly one of the most unflattering photos that you could take of a wedding dress is just on a blank wall. On a wooden hanger. It's giving nothing."
Image credits: @haussdrama
"Now, this woman is stunning, but this picture looks like it was taken in somebody's backyard."
Image credits: @haussdrama
"Again, she's stunning. She's beautiful. She is giving. But the photographer... it just looks like this is in somebody's bathroom. There's nothing special to the photo that's like, that wow factor."
Image credits: @haussdrama
"I would say posing wedding dresses for a photo is not her strong suit. Obviously everybody should charge what they think they're worth.
If you think you're worth $8,500, go ahead and charge for the $8,500. But if I got my wedding photos back and they looked anything like those, I would request a refund. Actually, I would dispute it with my card company."
The average price of a wedding photoshoot in 2023 was $2,900
Based on The Knot Real Weddings Study, about 90% of couples hired a photographer, making them the third most popular service used. Their average price in 2023 was $2,900, a $300 increase from the year before.
Bored Panda reached out to wedding photographers from the UK, Magda Kuczmik and Laura Shaw, who kindly agreed to share their take on pricing, having more than 12 years of experience in the industry.
When asked if the starting cost of $8,500 is reasonable, Kuczmik told us that it depends on a lot of factors. “Like with any art - it's not about the price, it’s about what the client likes and values. Photography is something that lasts many generations, and investing in good quality photography, in my opinion (but I might be biased!) is worth it. I think it's up to the individual client to see value in somebody's work.”
Indeed, for some, such an investment is worth it, as they’ll get to keep these memories for a lifetime. Most likely, they’ll also be displayed somewhere in the house or shared with others, so they need to be beautiful, like a piece of art. Not only do these captured moments remind the couple about their special day, but they also keep family history alive for children, grandchildren, and the following generations.
The level of expertise and location you choose may rack up the costs of a wedding photoshoot
There may be several reasons for the extra cost that photographers present to the couple. Kuczmik mentions the high pressure they experience having to get a shot in one take, and this calls for quite a bit of expertise.
“It requires photography training - because wedding photographers work in all sorts of lighting conditions, weather, and people - we need to have all the skills - be a product photographer, an event photographer, a fashion photographer, and be social and chatty with the vendors and the guests. All those skills take time to polish to perfection.”
Shaw adds that a good photographer will be constantly making decisions throughout the day. "Where is the good light? Are we on schedule? What does my couple need right now? Have I got all the group shots? Checking the weather and sunset location. Anticipating the final gallery in your mind, ensuring you’ve captured everything you know the Bride and Groom will want to see because you’ve got to know them and found out what is important to them."
Another factor that might rack up the price of such keepsakes is the location. Naturally, vendors in big cities like New York or San Francisco will cost more than those in smaller towns. If you’re planning a destination celebration, something like traveling costs can increase the costs as well.
Usually, photographers offer a range of packages, from going all out with a full day of several shooters and videographers to limiting hours to save money. For instance, Kuczmik offers 6 packages, and the one with the most features starts at £1,950 (about 2486 USD).
Is more expensive always better in the wedding photography industry?
Further inquiring if more expensive services are always better, Kuczmik told Bored Panda, "We're talking about art, so it's very individual. But generally, I'd say if someone has been gaining all the experience and knows how much effort and work goes into a wedding - then there is no way to undercharge.
Quality isn't cheap - and it goes like this with anything in life. I think you will always see a difference between a photographer who's been working for 10+ years in the industry and someone who's been doing it for a year. Experience is key in this job, and more experience costs more, right?”
Shaw believes that expensive wedding photography services might not be for everyone. "In the wedding photography industry, the correlation between cost and quality is not always straightforward. While a higher price tag may be associated with certain benefits, it doesn't guarantee that a more expensive photographer is the best fit for every couple or that the quality of the final product will meet everyone's expectations.
She concluded, "Ultimately, the best wedding photographer for you is one whose style aligns with your vision, who makes you feel comfortable, and who offers a package that fits your budget."
Some commenters agree that $8,500 is too much
Meanwhile, a lot of them justified the price
