Nearly every day, there is a point in that day where you wonder “how long is this going to take?” Needless to say, life is tedious. Time is a valuable commodity, especially when money is involved. In the case of photography sessions, everyone wants to know how long it will take to properly budget, estimate how much it will cost, and schedule a proper date on the calendar. With that in mind, I will provide some anecdotal timelines and other sources’ take on the matter.
A little bit of backstory from me. I’ve been doing photography professionally for a little over seven years now, and elopements have been a crucial part of that business. With that in mind, I try to keep those sessions relatively short. On average, I charge $250 per session, which includes a few photos of the civil ceremony and a 30 minute session with you two around Monument Circle, or other locations within walking distance. I can also take photos of you with family and friends that you brought along. You will receive an online gallery with digital downloads approximately two days after the session, and I also offer a host of printed products you can purchase if you’d like. I have also done a few backyard elopements, which ranges between 2-4 hours, but that is more reminiscent of a miniature wedding. Typically, I try to keep it to 30 minutes to an hour.
Now, this is not the case with everyone you will hire for this position. I try to keep it brief, however, according to my research, most people will likely allot for a longer session. For example, Laura at Together We Roam laid out a specific elopement schedule and plan for a full-day elopement, in which she allotted two hours specifically for photographs (2020). Two hours is a fairly reasonable amount of time to capture the best photos and memorialize your special day. Although there are some people who advocate for longer time slots. Will Khoury believes that 6-8 hours for local elopements will properly cover the time (2023). Meanwhile, Katie Berg advocates for 8-10 hours, although she clarifies that most clients hire her for that amount of time (2020). For reference, that’s about 5-7 times what I would typically book for, which implies that my rate would be 5-7 times my rate.
Needless to say, I will encourage you to do some research and perhaps do a deep-dive to find the right fit for you. The disparate gap is more like a chasm to say the least. I will encourage you to search for the proper fit for your special day. Whether you are looking for a 30 minute session or a ten hour session, there is someone out there who will work within those parameters. I hope that I have added something to your day!
Warmest regards,
Logan Clark
Works Cited
Berg, Katie. “How Long Should I Hire an Elopement Photographer?” Katie Berg Photo, 13 June 2020, https://katiebergphoto.com/elopement-timeline/. Accessed 23 May 2024.
Khoury, Will. “Wedding Photography: How Many Hours Do I Need? — Will Khoury Photography.” Will Khoury, 29 November 2023, https://www.willkhoury.com/elopement-guides/how-much-photography-coverage-do-i-need-for-my-elopement-or-intimate-wedding. Accessed 23 May 2024.
Laura. “How To Create The Perfect Elopement Timeline.” Colorado Elopement Photographer, 30 December 2020, https://www.togetherweroamphoto.com/how-to-create-the-perfect-elopement-timeline/. Accessed 23 May 2024.