Are you planning a New York City wedding and need to consider the cost of a local wedding photographer?
Planning your wedding photography budget can be a daunting task. When you consider all the other expenses you plan to incur, this is especially true.
In this article, you will better understand how much a photographer costs for a wedding in New York City, as well as what various factors can influence what photographers charge.
Table of Contents
- How Much Does a Wedding Photographer Cost in NYC?
- Do NYC Photographers Ever Negotiate on Their Pricing?
- What to Do if Your Dream Photographer Is Out of Your Budget
- Let Julian Ribinik Wedding Photography Put Together the Perfect Package for Your Special Day
How Much Does a Wedding Photographer Cost in NYC?
When planning your wedding, one of the most important decisions you will make is who will capture the memories of your special day.
There are countless wedding photographers in New York City to choose from, but how much do wedding pictures cost in the area?
The average wedding photographer cost in NYC for a mid-range wedding is $6,000 to $9,000 for eight to ten hours of work.
Comparing wedding photographers is not an apples-to-apples comparison. So what you end up paying will depend on the type of photographer you hire and the services he provides.
Before committing to any photographer, it’s important to research and weigh all of your options by understanding the factors that can influence the cost.
You have to take into consideration all sorts of factors, and you may need to decide between value and quality.
9 Factors That Influence the Price of Wedding Photographers in NYC
When planning a wedding, it is important to understand the cost of a wedding photographer in NYC.
Many factors influence the price of hiring a photographer — and possibly their team — for your wedding.
Look at nine factors that you should know when researching and booking a photographer for your big day.
#1: Years of Experience
One of the most important factors to consider when hiring a wedding photographer is their years of experience.
A photographer in NYC with several years of experience is more likely to be better equipped to capture the nuances and details of your wedding day.
With their history, experienced photographers can offer …
- Helpful suggestions and advice for wedding shots
- A greater understanding of photo editing software; and
- Knowledge and equipment to ensure superb lighting
… ensuring that your photos capture your wedding day perfectly to your liking.
Caution: Experience isn’t everything.
A wedding photography studio may be well-known and claim to have years of experience but not produce industry-quality work.
For example, some local NYC wedding photography businesses are family-owned and operated. People assume long-standing businesses like these do quality work because of its reputation of doing good work.
However, this isn’t always the case with newer owners.
The current photographers may not be skilled or professional enough to maintain the business’s reputation.
With over ten years of past and present quality wedding photography, you can depend on Julian Ribinik Wedding Photography to capture every moment of your big day with flawless presentation.
#2: Style of Photography
With wedding photography, you can choose from a wide range of styles to capture your special day, such as:
- Traditional photography
- Photojournalistic photography
- Editorial photography
- Contemporary photography
- Moody photography
- Classic photography
- Modern photography
- Vintage photography
- Cityscape photography
- And an infinite number of other styles as there are photographers
Some photographers specialize in a certain style, while others are more versatile and can shoot in a variety of styles.
It’s important to find a photographer in NYC who you feel comfortable working with and who will capture the images you envision for your wedding album.
#3: Amount of Travel Required
While there are many talented photographers in New York City, not all will be able or willing to travel as you may need.
This can affect the ultimate cost of your photography package.
Some factors that will affect how much travel is required include:
- The size of your wedding party and guest list
- The location of your wedding and reception venues
- Whether you want a photo session outside of New York City; and
- Whether you want photography on-site and/or in a studio setting
So when you are talking with photographers, find out if they charge additional travel fees or if they include it in their packages.
#4: Time Spent
This time includes before, during, and after the ceremony.
Wedding photographers typically charge per hour or for a range of hours, which can include:
- Time spent before the ceremony
- During the ceremony; and
- After the ceremony
It’s important to discuss and consider these factors when planning for a wedding photography price that fits within your budget.
#5: Equipment Used
One of the most important factors to consider when hiring a wedding photographer is the type of equipment they use.
Wedding photographers who use high-end cameras and equipment are likely to charge more than those who don’t.
For example, if a photographer uses digital SLR cameras with high-quality lenses and software to edit their photos, they may charge more than someone who uses a point-and-shoot camera with basic optics and editing software.
The first and most important piece of equipment that can make or break the quality of your wedding photography is the camera.
Other key pieces of equipment that every wedding photographer uses are:
- Tripod
- Lighting; and
- Remote Controls
However, not all photographers use high-end equipment. So it’s important to ask about their equipment and what type of photography they can do.
Just expect that the high-end equipment will cost more, especially if that equipment needs to be transported to one or more venues.
Julian Ribinik Wedding Photography uses top-class photography equipment, including the Canon professional line for cameras and lenses.
#6: Numbers of Photographers
Depending on your location and the size of your wedding, you may need to hire one or more photographers.
The number of photographers you need will affect the cost of your wedding photography.
For example, if your wedding:
- Is small with no more than 100 guests, you may only need one photographer
- Is larger, with over 100 guests, you may need to hire two or three photographers; or
- Has multiple locations, you may need two or more photographers
The more photographers you need to capture your wedding day, the more you should expect to pay.
#7: Services Included
Most wedding photographers in New York City will offer a variety of services, including:
- High-resolution digital images
- Digital photo albums
- Photo booths
- And more
Take some time to consider what additional services are negotiable and non-negotiable.
By thinking through your wishlist and prioritizing what you want and need, you can inquire and communicate what would create the perfect wedding and be realistic about photography costs.
#8: Marketing Strategies
Photographers have expenses that — like most businesses — are passed on to their clients.
Marketing strategies are typically one cost that can affect how much you pay for your wedding photography.
Therefore, consider the following questions when inquiring about photographers in New York City:
- Are they well-established and can rely on word-of-mouth?
- Are they needing to go to trade shows and markets or do a ton of paid advertising?
- What types of marketing (e.g., social media, print ads, website design) are they using?
Questions like these can help you determine whether you think wedding photography may be within your budget.
For example, if a wedding photographer is paying for advertising, they will most likely pass that cost on to you. However, a photographer that is well known and gets most of their clientele through word of mouth will have less advertising costs to pass on to their customers.
#9: Add-Ons
When planning your wedding, you may wonder what additional services to include in your photography budget.
There are a few things to consider when adding on to your package, such as:
- Engagement sessions
- Post-wedding photography; and
- Digital photo booths
These photos can serve as a keepsake for you, your fiance, and/or guests.
If you opt out of a post-wedding shoot, be sure to let your photographer know so they can plan accordingly and give you an accurate quote.
Do NYC Photographers Ever Negotiate on Their Pricing?
There is no one definitive answer to this question, as photographers in New York City may or may not negotiate on their pricing.
Some photographers may feel that their work is of such high quality and importance that they do not believe it’s necessary to lower their prices.
Others may feel that they deserve to be paid a higher fee for their services because of the time and effort that goes into creating a wedding photograph.
If you’re going to ask the photographer for a discount, start with asking if they have:
- Any existing discounts; or
- A time of the year when they run a promotion
Some wedding photographers, for example, have lower rates for times when business is slower for them, such as:
- During the winter
- Thursdays; or
- Fridays
Ultimately, it is up to the couple to decide what they are comfortable paying, and they should always speak with a few different NYC wedding photographers before deciding.
What to Do if Your Dream Photographer Is Out of Your Budget
If you’re on a budget, you may wonder what to do if your dream photographer is out of your budget.
Here are a few tips to help you find a photographer who fits within your budget:
- Ask friends, family, and co-workers for referrals.
- Get married during a time the photographer is running a special.
- Choose a different photographer that is more in line with your budget and needs.
- Select a less expensive package by cutting out things that are negotiable for you and your fiance.
Many photographers offer affordable wedding photography packages in NYC, and many of them offer free consultations so that you can get a feel for their work.
You can also use sites, like Wedding Wire or The Knot, to find wedding photographers in your area.
Let Julian Ribinik Wedding Photography Put Together the Perfect Package for Your Special Day
Meticulous attention to detail and unparalleled customer service make Julian Ribinik Wedding Photography one of the best you can find in New York City.
We will go out of our way to make your day as special as possible …
- From the time you get ready
- Through the ceremony; and
- To the happy dance at the reception
We’ll capture every moment of your wedding day with the perfect angle and lighting for a flawless presentation.
Don’t skimp on your wedding photos. You get what you pay for.
Save your memories for future generations, to cherish by working with Julian Ribinik Wedding Photography.
We design all of our packages per need and budget, so let’s talk about how we can make your day just right.
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