A photographer is one of the key parts of every wedding. With so many treasured memories to capture, it’s hard to imagine any nuptials taking place without one. No matter what kind of wedding day you plan on having, there is a photography package out there to suit. Whilst wedding photography does initially present itself as a significant investment – especially considering how little of the work you see as a couple – when you break down the average package, there can be no doubt that preserving the priceless memories of your big day often comes at a steal.
So what’s included in a wedding photography package?
Coverage on your wedding day
It will come as a shock to absolutely no one that the actual photography on your wedding day itself is included in whatever package you choose. The amount of coverage you want will inevitably affect the overall cost. Typically, most photographers will spend 8-10 hours taking pictures on your wedding day, capturing a variety of different shots that will work together to tell the story of how it all unfolded.
Some packages will also offer a second shooter who will usually be around on the day for the same period as your main photographer. Most often, a secondary photographer will be offered for larger weddings, or those that may take place over a number of locations.
Pre-wedding photoshoot
Something that is becoming more and more popular is the pre-wedding or engagement shoot. This is essentially a mini photography session where you as a couple can get to know your photographer, discuss ideas and generally get a feel for how things will be when the big day rolls around.
Edits
The final photos that couples see always undergo a little post-camera treatment, and this is something that is massively overlooked when people choose their wedding photographer. Obviously not every single photo taken on the day gets the Hollywood treatment – if you can believe it, it can often take an entire day narrowing down the selection to the absolute cream of the crop – but the ones that do take time. This is a large part of the work that goes on behind the scenes away from the big day itself, but is perhaps the most important in terms of giving you the collection of images you dreamed of.
USB stick
In this electronic age, physical photo albums don’t often come as standard in terms of how your wedding photos will be delivered to you. Like with wedding videographers, USB sticks are the preferred delivery method as they are a practical way of handing over what is often a large quantity of high resolution images in a manner that also provides a physical keepsake.
Select prints
Whilst an entire album featuring every single one of the photos taken on your wedding day may not be something that comes as standard, a very select number of prints depicting the most precious moments may be something that your photographer offers.
Photo showreel
More and more photographers are going down the route of creating photo showreels alongside their standard gallery of pictures. So, whilst you will have an entire folder of photographs to look through on a USB, there may also be the option to have a selection of those photos compiled together in a format similar to a slideshow, set to music of your choice. This is an option that takes the memories of your wedding day as well as some of the songs that may have featured and creates a narrative that you can watch unfold again and again.
All of the costs that come with securing your wedding photographer in the first place
Booking your wedding photographer requires a deposit, and whilst usually non-refundable in instances where their services are no longer needed, it is included in the overall price you pay.
As well as this, your package cost also covers any expenses that may be incurred on the day unless stated otherwise, meaning outside of the time spent actually taking photos at your wedding, that price will also cover travel to and from the venue and the time it takes.
Here’s the thing – a wedding photographer’s work doesn’t start and end on your wedding day. As mentioned at the start of this article, that is mere a scratch on the surface of what they do.
KC Creative 