Do wedding photographers make good money?

12 years 2 months ago #201074 by PMurphy
I know that is a loaded question. But typical wedding photographers, do they make a good living?


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12 years 2 months ago #201077 by Darrell
Most wedding photographers don't do it full time, so making a living maybe difficult to answer, I would say by the time you invest in the proper equipment there is a profit margin..but keep in mind you need good equipment at at least 2 cameras, lens, lights, reflectors, some type of training. It also takes up the prime time in the summer that most people would rather be off. I was doing portrait photography for a long before I got into weddings, and I only do a few weddings a year. Looking at what you have now I would say you need to spend min another $5000+.

You will not be judged as a photographer by the pictures you take, but by the pictures you show.
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12 years 2 months ago #201093 by Baydream
The other thing to consider is that most weddings are held on Saturdays (with some on Sundays), so you would be fortunate to get one a week. Darrell is so correct that, in effect, wedding photography is "part time" and you would need to do other work, like portraits, to supplement. The wedding business is also seasonal. June-August is a big wedding season but other times are much slower.
Before the wedding, you spend time meeting the couple and planning. Then after the wedding comes a lot of time post processing and SELLING the client on buying more photos.

Shoot, learn and share. It will make you a better photographer.
fineartamerica.com/profiles/john-g-schickler.html?tab=artwork

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12 years 2 months ago #201102 by Darrell
:agree: :agree:

You will not be judged as a photographer by the pictures you take, but by the pictures you show.
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12 years 2 months ago #201292 by Dragonflies
Depends on how good they are. I have USA friends who shoot weddings and one friend charges about $3000 per wedding where as another friend and his wife charge nearly $12,000 per wedding. Experience is the biggest factor to a photographers paycheck.


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12 years 2 months ago #201350 by Larrabee
Shooting an individual wedding yes you can make good money, but shoot as a whole not really. As it was already stated, most weddings are held on the weekends and during the nice weather months. A wedding photographer will need another job to help pay the bills.


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12 years 2 months ago #201479 by Wyrick Photography

Dragonflies wrote: Depends on how good they are. I have USA friends who shoot weddings and one friend charges about $3000 per wedding where as another friend and his wife charge nearly $12,000 per wedding. Experience is the biggest factor to a photographers paycheck.


I would love to get paid $12000 for a wedding

Canon 5d Mark II • Canon 24-105mm F/4.0 • Canon 135mm F/2.0 • Canon 50mm F/1.8 • Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 • Canon 580ex ii
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12 years 2 months ago #201715 by A9 Photo

Wyrick Photography wrote:

Dragonflies wrote: Depends on how good they are. I have USA friends who shoot weddings and one friend charges about $3000 per wedding where as another friend and his wife charge nearly $12,000 per wedding. Experience is the biggest factor to a photographers paycheck.


I would love to get paid $12000 for a wedding


:agree: but with that price comes skill, experience and a 2nd or 3rd shooter who also need experience. Plus to live in an area where clients can afford a 12k wedding photographer.


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