Why A Chicagoland Wedding Photographer Costs What They Do – And How to Know What’s Worth It
- Feb 9
- 6 min read
If you’ve found yourself googling how much to spend on a chicagoland wedding photographer, you are not alone. Determining budgets is one of the most difficult parts of wedding planning and often the part that most people dread talking about with prospective vendors.
This post has got you covered. I’m Lauryn; a Chicago wedding photographer who has been working in this market since 2014. I know the ins and outs of how it all works because I work in the ins and outs. We’re going to break down expectations on what to pay, why we charge what we charge, who pays and how to know if you’ve found your perfect photographer match.
Let’s dive in!
What Is a Reasonable Amount to Spend on a Chicagoland Wedding Photographer?
This is the question that always gets people stuck. The reason for this is because the word “reasonable” is different for every couple. To some couples, $2,000 is splurging on photography while to the next couple, $8,000 seems like a steal. It’s all perspective. Because of that, it can be hard to guide people on what’s “reasonable”. To give you a better idea of what’s normal for the Chicago wedding market, I’ve broken down the pricing into categories of photographer levels. Remember, this is for Chicago and the surrounding areas. If you are looking at photographers from elsewhere, such as rural Illinois or even another city, you’re going to notice that these ranges might differ.
Budget Photographers: $1,000-$3,000
Often, these photographers are still working on their portfolio and building their business. This is not always the case, but you will notice that photographers in this price range are newer to the industry and/or don’t have a ton of weddings under their belt just yet.
Mid-Range Photographers: $3,000-$6,000
The Chicago market is filled with photographers in this price range. A solidified photographer in their business can be found in this zone of pricing. They know what they are doing, have experience and can show you ample galleries of their work to ensure you like their style.
High-End Photographers: $6,000 +
You might start to see photographers using the word “luxury” in this price range. To be honest, this is just a fancy way to let you know that they are in a higher price range. These photographers are the most experienced, connected and sought-after in the market. They have been in the industry for years, have perfected their style and have reputations amongst their counterparts. They are providing their couples an experience beyond clicking a shutter and photographing a day.
While this isn’t a cut and dry category, it’s important to know why different photographers charge what they charge. We will get into that in the next section, but before we get there, let’s go over what those above ranges should typically include.
Most packages will include hourly coverage (with one or two shooters) that ranges from 6-10+ hours. You will find that many photographers include digital downloads that are edited in an online gallery, at minimum. Beyond the digital images, some packages can include print items such as albums or enlargements. Oftentimes, these packages can also come with a complimentary engagement session. It’s becoming more common for couples to opt out of their complimentary engagement session if they see no need for them or if they had photos taken at the proposal. Some photographers will happily swap out your engagement session whereas other business owners may present it as a “take or leave it” package item.
What Factors Affect the Price of a Wedding Photographer?
Selecting your wedding photographer is personal. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all vendor. Every photographer approaches their business, their couples and their photography differently. That’s what makes it possible to have a photographer match for each couple. Because of this, pricing isn’t one-size-fits-all either. Here are the biggest factors into what can affect their pricing:
Experience and Expertise: Years in business, shooting style, industry reputation, vendor connections, ability to problem solve, demeanor with couples and their families, communication style, responsiveness, knowledge (technical/equipment and industry specific)
Coverage Time: More hours=more shooting=more editing=higher cost
Deliverables: Digital downloads, engagement session, albums, prints, timing of said deliverables, method of delivery (USB, cloud-based, etc.)
Post-Production: Processing 3k+ files, editing, finishing touches, blogging. Each wedding can equate to 30+ hours of work both before and after the wedding day.
Second Shooter/Assistants: Adds coverage and amount of files provided, but can potentially increase the price to cover their fees
Travel: Some photographers have a radius of miles they include without travel fees. If you are located out of that radius, there may be travel fees for mileage, hotels, airfare, etc.
Business Costs: Insurance, gear, software, taxes, website, permits, business licensing,client management tools, etc.
Insider Tip: You want to make sure the photographer you hire has business insurance as many venues require this of the vendors you hire.
Insider Tip #2: Please, please vet the photographer you’re speaking to by asking about their file backup system. Professional cameras today allow for you to shoot on two memory cards at once. If a photographer isn’t shooting with two card slots, it can present future issues of file security or file corruption.
Why Do Wedding Photographers Charge So Much?
It can be a popular assumption that “anybody can do this.” While I find that assumption slightly offensive, let me explain to you why it is false.
Wedding photographers do not just show up to a location and push a button. There are hours and hours of preparation happening behind the scenes before we show up, 8-10 hours of directing the wedding day (including but not limited to handling intoxicated guests, family dynamics, and potentially stressful situations), and countless hours in post-production. One wedding can represent 40-60+ hours of work. The following list is not inclusive of each thing your photographer does for your big day: consultations, timeline development, shooting, vendor meetings, walk-throughs, backing up files, editing, delivering galleries, blog prepping, social media, managing the business logistics and oh yea, shooting! I joke that only 10% of my job consists of a camera in my hand.
The biggest factor: photographing someone’s wedding day is a massive responsibility. Unlike other photography sessions (family, high school seniors, headshots, etc.), a wedding day is a “one chance only” event. The level of pressure, preparation and emotional labor it takes is considered when pricing out this type of photography. Weddings can’t be redone. This is why it is vital to vet your photographer.
Who Typically Pays for the Photographer?
While tradition would say the bride’s family pays for the wedding, that “rule” is pretty much thrown out the window in today’s modern wedding world. There are no rules anymore. I find that my couples are a mix of paying for the day themselves or their parents are giving them a lump sum of money that they can spend how they see necessary. No matter who is paying, it’s important to discuss budgets for each vendor before speaking with potential hires.
My biggest tip: make a list of your vendor priorities. For my husband and I, photography and food were the biggest two parts of our day that we did not want to skimp on. It is different for each couple in terms of where they want their money to go. Once you have your “big 3” allocate the necessary amount of money to ensure that you are getting quality vendors within those important categories. From there, if something is less important to you, you can adjust your spending. If photography is a top priority to you, you may find yourself looking at photographers who are in that “High-End Photography” price range we talked about earlier.
How to Know If a Photographer Is Worth the Investment
Your wedding photography is about way more than just pretty photos. Your photographer is basically your third wheel, so when choosing your person, take into account these factors:
You connect with their style (posing, editing, etc.)
Their work is consistent. You know what to expect in your gallery.
You’ve seen more than their highlight photos. See a real wedding gallery; start to finish
They’re professional, communicative and organized in a way that makes sense to you
You feel comfortable around them
You trust them
Gut check: does their work feel like how you want to remember your day?
You can see yourself on their IG, website, blog, etc.
You’ve researched their reviews and what their previous couples have said
You’ve spoken to them in some capacity; don’t cold hire!
You feel confident that their style of communication is what your day/people need(s)
Final Tips for Budgeting for Your Wedding Photos
Prioritize photography in your budget if preserving memories visually is important to you
Book early to lock in current pricing and their availability
Consider weekday weddings, shorter coverage or off-season if on a tighter budget
Look at what’s included — not just the number at the bottom
Don’t just compare pricing when making a decision. How do you FEEL when you talk to them?
Cliche? Maybe. But photos are the only thing after the day is all done. Flowers die. Food gets old. Cake goes bye bye. But your photos? They last forever.
There is no universal “correct” amount of money to spend on your wedding photography. Every couple is different with different visions, budgets and desires. However, understanding the value behind the price tag can help you make an informed and confident decision. If you’re still feeling overwhelmed or not sure where to start, I’m happy to chat; even if I’m not the one behind the lens on your wedding day.
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