How Much Does Wedding Photography Cost? The 2025 Average Revealed
Choosing the right wedding photographer for you is absolutely crucial to ensure you have an amazing wedding album that you’re proud to leave out on the coffee table and show everyone who pops over (guilty!). Your photo album will be a keepsake from your wedding that you’ll want to return to again and again, and may even cement itself as a family heirloom for your kids, grandkids and beyond. It’s almost guaranteed that you’ll use them as your profile pics on social media, too!
Each photographer brings their own unique style to capturing your wedding moments, from the way they use framing and lighting to their approach to composition. Pricing will also vary from one professional to another, influenced by factors like their experience, expertise, and individual approach.
So, when it comes to budgeting for your wedding, how much might you expect to pay for a wedding photographer? In this post we’ll take a look at the average cost of a wedding photographer, what their rates include, and what you need to be aware of before your big day.
What’s the average price of a wedding photographer?
In South Africa, the cost of a wedding photographer can vary quite a bit, but couples typically spend between R15,000 and R40,000 for a full photography and videography package. If you’re booking photography only, expect to pay somewhere between R10,000 and R25,000, depending on the photographer’s experience, style, and what’s included in the package.
While it may seem like a big chunk of your budget, keep in mind you’re paying for more than just a few hours of coverage on the day. The price also includes pre-wedding planning, the photographer’s creative expertise, professional equipment, and hours of post-production editing to ensure your final gallery is flawless.
Also, be aware that some photographers may quote prices excluding VAT, which can affect your final bill — so be sure to clarify this when comparing options.
What’s included in this cost?
What’s included in the price will depend on the package you choose. A basic package may include coverage on the day and your photographs on a USB, whereas a premium package will include this and much more. When making your decision, be prepared with the right questions to ask a wedding photographer to make sure you know exactly what your chosen package includes.
Depending on your choice, wedding photography packages may include many of the following:
- A pre-wedding photography session
- Coverage on the day
- Post-production including photo editing
- A second supporting photographer
- Prints of your photos or digital download link
- A physical wedding album
- Printed canvases
- A ‘best of the day’ video
Most photographers offer a range of packages for you to choose from, with optional extras that allow you to customise your package. For a rough idea of what to expect for your budget, check out the table below:
Budget | R40,000+ | R20,000 – R40,000 | R10,000 – R20,000 | Under R10,000 |
What may be included | This can offer you up to two experienced wedding photographers to follow you for the duration of your wedding day and a premium, leather-bound album with wedding photographs carefully chosen by you with optional personalizations. | This can offer you up to two photographers for eight hours and a set of beautiful high-resolution images, or just one photographer, an album and an engagement shoot. | This can offer you one photographer for six hours along with an engagement shoot, with all photographs available to view and share via your own private online gallery (or less commonly today, on a USB stick). | This can offer you up to four hours of coverage, with all photographs available to view and share via your own private online gallery (or less commonly today, on a USB stick). |
What factors can affect the cost of a wedding photographer?
While these are general, average wedding costs for South Africa, there are plenty of other factors that can influence the cost of a wedding photographer. These include:
- Your venue: How far does your photographer need to travel? Will they need to drive long distances, stay overnight, or even fly to your location? A wedding in a remote part of the country can increase costs due to travel time, petrol, or accommodation. Most photographers based in cities like Cape Town or Johannesburg charge travel fees if your venue is outside their usual radius.
- Location: Where you’re getting married in South Africa can also affect pricing. Photographers in major cities generally charge more than those in smaller towns, due to demand, overheads, and cost of living.
- Multiple photographers: Hiring more than one photographer gives you more complete coverage — capturing both your experience and your guests’ reactions throughout the day. This is especially useful for large weddings or scenic outdoor locations like the Cape Winelands, the Drakensberg, or the Garden Route. That said, having two or more photographers will raise the price, so it’s worth weighing up whether full coverage is essential for your day.
- The date: During peak times, such as during the summer and at weekends, you can expect to pay more due to the higher demand. Many photographers are booked months (or even years) in advance during busier times of the year.
- How long they’re needed: Are you only looking for photos of the ceremony itself, or the entire day, including the wedding breakfast and evening reception?
- Equipment: Will they need additional lighting, multiple lenses, or even drones?
- The level of post-production: After they shoot a wedding, the photographer will spend time editing your photos, such as adjusting lighting, cropping, or tweaking your mom’s eyes because she blinked.
- The type of album: Many photographers will offer you options to customise your album, such as leather-bound covers.
What else should you be aware of when it comes to the cost of a wedding photographer?
As part of your package and one of the questions you should ask your photographer before hiring them for your wedding, find out what type of release they offer (complete copyright, vs a personal use/printing release) and how it aligns with your budget and needs.
By default, the copyright to your wedding photos belongs to your photographer. If you want to purchase the full copyright later, it can be a costly option, with some couples reporting unexpected expenses in the hundreds or even thousands of dollars. While this isn’t common, it’s worth considering when discussing terms with your photographer.
In most cases, a personal use license or a print release will suffice. These licenses allow you to print, share, and enjoy your photos freely, without needing to buy full copyright ownership.
Make sure to clarify the terms with your photographer upfront, so there are no surprises. Also, it’s always polite to credit your photographer when sharing un-watermarked photos on social media to show appreciation for their work.
What level of experience can you expect for your budget?
As mentioned earlier, wedding photography prices can vary greatly depending on the photographer’s experience and services offered.
Less experienced photographers often charge lower rates, but this can carry some risk in terms of quality and reliability. On the other hand, full-time photographers, whose livelihoods depend on capturing weddings, usually charge higher prices but bring more experience and professional assurance. Part-time photographers or those shooting weddings as a side business may offer more budget-friendly options, though their level of expertise can vary significantly.
For a clearer idea of what to expect based on your budget, refer to the table below. It outlines typical pricing tiers and what kind of experience or service you can expect at each level.
Budget | R40,000+ | R40,000 – R20,000 | R20,000 – R10,000 | Under R10,000 |
Level of experience | You’ll get a luxury or master photographer, who is admired in the industry. They may also have a second photographer working with them who also has plenty of experience. | You’ll get a very experienced photographer with a unique style. | You’ll get a photographer with a developing style and an increasing level of experience. | You’ll get an enthusiastic but less experienced photographer, who should still be able to produce fantastic photographs. |
Ready to start planning your wedding?
Choosing the right wedding photographer comes down to balancing your budget, their experience, and the kind of coverage you’re after. Whether you hire a seasoned pro or a rising talent, clear communication is key. Make sure you fully understand what’s included in the package and what the contract covers. That way, you can relax knowing your most important moments will be beautifully captured — leaving you with memories you’ll treasure for years to come.
Planning your big day but not sure where to start? Join Bridebook and take all the stress out of planning your wedding!
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