How much does a wedding photographer and videographer cost?
A photographer’s price depends mostly on how many hours of coverage you book. Pick a package, the hours, and extras, and we’ll show a realistic range for your area.
Prices updated: · United States (USD) · free, no sign-up
Calculator result
Photo and video total
$5,600
- Per hour of coverage
- $700
- Photo and video combined
- Retainer to book
- $1,700
- Usually 25-50% when you sign the contract
What the price is made of
- Photographer (standard)8 hours of coverage$3,100
- Video: highlight film8 hours of filming$2,000
- Engagement sessionseparate shoot before the wedding$500
- Ask whether your photographer works with a regular videographer. A photo and video bundle from one studio is usually 10-15% less and a better-coordinated team.
- Put the delivery date (6-8 weeks is reasonable), the number of edited photos, and a backup plan if the photographer gets sick into the contract.
How we calculate
- A photographer’s price is a fixed part (gear, editing, travel) plus a rate for every hour of coverage - so hours really move the result: 6 hours at the standard tier is about $2,600, 10 hours about $3,600.
- Video grows with coverage time more slowly than photos, because the biggest cost is editing, which takes about as long whatever the length of the day.
- Discounts (one studio for photo and video, off-season date) come off the services only, not the albums, which the studio orders from a print lab at fixed prices.
- Location shifts service prices: major metros about +35%, small towns and rural areas about -20%. The range shows the typical spread from about -15% to +20% around the typical price.
Cheat sheet: prices and good practice
2026 prices
- Photographer, 8 hours: $2,100-5,000
- Highlight film: about $2,000, highlight plus full-length edit: about $2,800, cinematic feature film: about $4,500
- Second shooter: about $600 for 8 hours
- Engagement session: $300-750, often included in mid- and high-tier packages
- Drone: $300-800
- Album: photo book about $350, heirloom album about $1,500
When to book
- Top photographers: 12-18 months before the wedding
- Retainer: usually 25-50%, the rest before the wedding
- Off-season dates (January-March, Fridays and Sundays) make a 10-20% discount easier
Questions and answers
How many hours of coverage do we need?
For the full story - getting ready, the ceremony, portraits, first dance, toasts, cake cutting, and the send-off - usually 8-10 hours. With 6 hours, coverage usually ends after the first dances and toasts.
Is an engagement session included?
Many photographers include one in mid- and high-tier packages, others charge $300-750 extra. Untick it if it’s already in your package.
Do we need a second shooter?
For 150+ guests, two getting-ready locations, or a big wedding party, yes - one person can’t be in two places at once. For a small wedding at a single venue, one photographer is usually enough.
Calculate next
- Photo booth Classic, mirror, or 360 booth - price for your hours, add-ons, and how many photos to expect.
- Wedding budget A full wedding budget in 30 seconds - from catering to wedding bands, with price ranges.
- Music DJ or band, hours of music with real overtime rates, plus lighting and effects.
- Wedding tipping Who to tip at your wedding, how much, and when - servers, bartenders, hair and makeup, drivers, and more.
For the party itself
Games every guest plays at once
Couple trivia, awards and a finale on the big screen. Guests join with a QR code on their phones, no app to download.