Your Cart is Empty
FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE
Are you planning your wedding and have you already discovered that the "photographer" budget isn't exactly on the same level as your cousin's DJ? Don't panic. We'll explain everything to you, simply, with humor, and above all, without drowning you in professional image jargon.
So, how much does a wedding photographer cost? As is often the case with this kind of question: it depends . Yes, we know, it's frustrating. But we promise, we'll break it all down for you. From the €500 service to the €3,000 magazine-worthy report, we'll tell you what changes, why, and most importantly, what YOU'RE really paying for.
When we talk about prices, we shouldn't focus on the (wedding) cake or the wedding dress . For a professional photographer in France, prices generally range between €800 and €3,000, sometimes more, sometimes less, but rarely lower if you're looking for a minimum of quality.
Why such a difference? Because, like a good wine or a caterer who makes something other than mini-pizzas, each photographer has their own style, their own equipment, their own experience, and their own way of working .
Let's take a closer look.
We'll tell you right away: it's not necessarily a scam , but you have to be careful. At this price, you often get:
A beginner photographer
Little professional equipment (or additional equipment)
Limited coverage (a few hours, not the whole day)
Light or even non-existent photo processing
It's a bit like the "fast food" photographer: it helps out, but you don't serve it to your father-in-law who is a restaurateur.
This is the average price for a complete photo report, with an experienced photographer, good equipment, and a professional result .
In this range you can expect:
A photographer will be present throughout the day (preparations, town hall, ceremony, evening, etc.)
Real post-production work (retouching, colorimetry, sorting)
Photos delivered in HD, sometimes even with an online gallery
Sometimes an album is included or offered as an option
In short, the best value for money , especially if you are demanding but not ready to sell a kidney.
This is where we enter the “Wow” category. For this price, you are paying not only an experienced photographer, but an artist, a storyteller, a lighting ninja .
At this price, expect:
Personalized support
Several meetings before the big day
Creative, unique, artistic shots
Excellent service (often with a second shot)
High-end options (luxury album, fine art prints, etc.)
It's not just a photo anymore, it's an experience . And your memories will be worthy of a special Vogue wedding editorial.
Ah, the famous question: "He's just here to take pictures, right?" Uh... no.
A wedding photographer is more than just a guy with a camera. Just as a simple wedding dress may seem modest at first glance, but it hides great attention to detail and meticulous work, the photographer goes the extra mile to immortalize every moment. Here's what you're really paying for (and this is no joke):
Spoiler: he doesn't only work on D-day . There's also:
Upstream appointments
Preparing the schedule
The reporting day (10 to 15 hours, often standing, sometimes in the rain)
Sorting through thousands of photos
Retouching (colors, contrast, cropping, etc.)
Delivery, sometimes putting it online, creating an album...
In total, it is often 40 to 60 hours of work , or even more.
A good professional photographer doesn't work with an old, second-hand DSLR. He has:
Multiple boxes (just in case)
Several professional objectives
Emergency equipment
One or more flashes
Memory cards by the dozen
A powerful computer for retouching
Paid software
The hardware alone can represent an investment of €10,000 to €20,000 . This is why your cousin with his iPhone is not really a solution.
An experienced photographer knows how to manage the unexpected, capture the perfect moment, avoid failed shots, and adapt to the constraints of your day (bad light, changeable weather, annoying uncle, or even how to show off your country wedding dress ...).
It's a bit like a good chef: he doesn't follow a recipe, he creates emotion .
Here's what you typically pay:
This is the heart of the service: the photo report of the big day. Depending on the package, this includes:
Presence all day (or half day)
The number of photos delivered (often between 300 and 800)
The online gallery
The USB key or download link
Engagement session : couple photos before the wedding, to get to know each other
Day after session : stress-free photo session after the wedding, often in a dress and suit
Photo album : from simple booklet to high-end book
Paper prints : for family, in-laws, Grandma…
Second shooter : a second photographer for more photos and points of view
All of this is optional , but can increase the bill.
Some photographers include or charge separately:
Travel expenses
Accommodation (if the wedding is far away)
Location scouting time
Nothing scandalous: a photographer sleeping in his car is obvious in the photos.
Price is important, but it's not everything. Choosing a wedding photographer is like choosing your lace wedding dress : it has to match.
Each photographer has their own style:
Bright and romantic
Dark and dramatic
Natural reporting
Posed and editorial
Look at the portfolios, talk to them, and most importantly: choose a style that you REALLY like .
You're going to spend your entire wedding day with him (or her). So, you need to feel comfortable .
If he talks to you like a robot or explains ISOs in detail for two hours: run away.
A good photographer announces his prices clearly, gives you a contract, and respects his commitments.
A vague quote, with no information on the number of photos or delivery time? Dangerous.
So, can we ask for a discount? Well… yes, but politely and intelligently .
A discount if you get married in the low season (winter)
A small gesture if there are few hours left to cover
A discount if you take several services (engagement + wedding + album)
But be careful: a good photographer doesn't sell his work cheap. Avoid aggressive bargaining , or you risk being ghosted.
The quality
The number of hours already planned
The retouching work
A professional photographer doesn't rush to fit your budget, just as a long-sleeved wedding dress designer doesn't rush to achieve a less than polished result. They often prefer to turn down a contract rather than rush a service.
There are some classic mistakes that many brides and grooms make. Here are a few:
The cheapest is almost never the best. If you value your memories, don't choose with your wallet alone.
A beautiful website is great. But customer reviews, testimonials, and especially photos of other weddings will tell you everything you need to know .
A contract provides security for both you and the photographer. It specifies what you pay, what you receive, and the deadlines.
No contract = no guarantees. More information here
A wedding is a day. Photos are forever . They're what you'll show your children, your friends, your grandchildren.
So yes, a wedding photographer costs a certain price . But it's a price for precious memories, for moments that can't be repeated.
Take the time to choose the right one, look beyond the price, and above all: trust your instincts (and their portfolio) .