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“Why is wedding photography so expensive?”
“Photographers overcharge to make a profit!”
“They’re only there a few hours! Photographers are such a rip off!”
These are just some of the questions and comments you hear from people after receiving a quote from a wedding photographer. With so many photographers offering a variety of packages it’s hard to work out what the average professional photography prices are or should be.
With this in mind, here’s Abraxas' top three reasons why wedding photography can be rather costly, and why it’s worth the investment.
Equipment
It’s not just a camera, it’s a professional photography camera and several other pieces of equipment, including lighting and drones! While it might not look like much, professional digital cameras and lenses can cost between £1,200 - £6,000. The price of this doesn’t include backups or the batteries, memory cards, filters, flashes and lighting equipment used to shoot a wedding. There’s even the cost of computers and editing software, which can cost thousands.
Experience & education
While it might be tempting to save on money and put your cousin in charge of your wedding cinematography; it isn’t always a good idea! Amateur photographers are more likely to have poor quality photos and very little knowledge of wedding photography, which could mean you miss vital parts of your special day.
Professional wedding photographers and videographers invest a lot of time and money on education and perfecting their practical skills so they can provide a reliable service. Many take great pride in their work and will go above and beyond to capture your special day in the most creative and meaningful way.
Insurance
With expensive equipment, comes great responsibility. Good wedding photographers have all their gear insured in case of damage or theft, as well as Public Liability and Professional Indemnity, which can quickly add up to several hundred pounds a year.
While it might look as though your photographer is charging over the odds, bear in mind this fee will also cover a legally binding agreement made up with you and the photographer; meaning you too are fully protected if something goes wrong.
Why is wedding photography expensive?
To put it simply, wedding photographers invest a lot of time and money developing their skills. They do this because they are passionate about photography and want to provide a reliable service on your wedding day. The question is, after considering all this can you really place a monetary value on memories?
At Abraxas, we pride ourselves on offering high quality wedding photography and videography, so that you can look back on your special day with a smile. To find out more today, get in touch!