Wedding photography is a rather simple topic, but there are a lot of things that are included in those photography packages. Sometimes navigating that conversation can be difficult. Every photographer’s package is different, which makes the conversation a wide swathe of topics to cover. However, I will mostly cover items that I include in my wedding package and mention other potential items to include.
Engagement Sessions
To start this off, let’s discuss something that I include in my personal packages and that is an engagement session. The reason why I include this in my own package is simple: it is to make the couple feel comfortable around me for their wedding day. It’s a simple icebreaker and also nets them a few more photos. The engagement session is included in all of my packages at the foundation, however, from my research, most photographers will charge them as an additional fee. Zoe Larkin (2024) sums it up best: it is a fantastic opportunity for couples to get comfortable in front of the camera and get some informal shots with zero pressure. Not to mention, engagements are a pivotal moment to capture for the wedding day. It’s the first chapter in a new book. It’s a beautiful moment to be able to look back on for the rest of time.
Hours of Coverage
The amount of coverage a wedding photographer can provide should be first and foremost in any package for the wedding day. On average, a standard wedding day package runs between 4-8 hours of coverage (Kohler, 2024). My own coverage ranges between 6-10 hours for my established packages, although a custom package can be created for any one who needs it. Other wedding days will go as far as 12 hours (Kohler, 2024). Destination weddings average about 1-3 days worth of time (Dodge, 2021). Those may include additional charges to cover travel for whatever photographer you choose to bring along for that journey (Dodge, 2021).
Range of Output
The number of photos delivered is usually based on the amount of time put into the wedding. As the hours correlate to how many photos can be delivered. For example, working once again within the confines of my packages, for a 6-10 hour wedding day shoot, I deliver between 350-650+ photos. Although, Jes and Chris of Formed From Light (2019) claim that you should expect between 400-800 photos at the rate of 100 photos an hour. However, the focus of this work should always be on quality over quantity. Jes and Chris (2019) also note that they capture between 2000-4000 photos per wedding, which is an important distinction to make. Between myself and an additional photographer, I deliver about 4500 for an average wedding day. However, with that average, I usually deliver around 500 photos. In other words, you will receive approximately 11% of the photos that I take. This is typically due to varying levels of quality such as blurs or sunspots.
Number of Photographers
I mentioned in the previous segment that I occasionally work with an additional photographer. This is a common practice in the wedding photography realm. This is simply an additional value. It will result in more money, however, it can also save time. Now, in my Platinum package, that is where I bring in an additional photographer to assist in the task at hand. In a Premium package, I bring along a Photo Assistant. To make the distinction as clearly and concisely as possible, a photo assistant is there to help coordinate timeline, poses, lighting, and general communication so I can make sure to focus on getting important shots. A second photographer may be added to any package at additional cost if your wedding day is best suited for two photographers.
Physical or Digital Albums
A photo album is expected when hiring a photographer. One way or another, you expect the package to be delivered. For my Platinum package, I include a Legacy Leather Album, while my Premium package includes a hardcover photo book. For the Standard package, I keep it to a digital only package. A digital album is most common in our current digital era, as it is far more cost efficient to upload all the photos to a file sharing platform like Dropbox or Google Drive and simply share it with the couple. However, there is something to be said about having a tangible album to hold in your hands. To feel the material, hold the photos, and look fondly upon them. Not to mention, tangible photos can be framed and placed around your house.
When searching through the right wedding day package for you, just consider your needs. Do you want as many photos as possible or do you just need the one or two timeless photos? How long will your wedding day last? Does the photographer you hired fit your style? There are numerous questions to consider at the end of the day, but the most important thing is that you pick the package that fits your wedding day. I hope that I have added something to your special day and that you have a wonderful week!
All the best,
Logan Clark
Works Cited
Dodge, Heather. “Wedding Photography Packages | How many hours of coverage do we need? - heatherdodgephotography.com.” Heather Dodge Photography, 26 March 2021, https://heatherdodgephotography.com/2021/03/26/wedding-photography-packages-how-many-hours-do-we-need/. Accessed 21 June 2024.
Jes, and Chris. “How Many Photos Should a Wedding Photographer Give Their Client? – Formed From Light.” Formed From Light, 16 September 2019, https://formedfromlight.com/blog/how-many-photos-should-a-wedding-photographer-give-their-client/. Accessed 21 June 2024.
Kohler, Christina. “How many hours of wedding photography coverage should I book?” Weddings in Athens, 16 April 2024, https://weddingsinathens.com/how-much-wedding-photography-coverage-do-i-need.html. Accessed 21 June 2024.
Larkin, Zoe. “What does a wedding photography package typically include (and what does it all mean?!).” Zoe Larkin Photography, 26 January 2024, https://zoelarkin.com/what-does-wedding-photography-package-include/. Accessed 21 June 2024.