Average Cost of Wedding Photographer in Sydney

I know.  It sucks.  

Hiring a wedding photographer in Sydney feels expensive.  You google wedding photographer fees.  Every news story in Australia is about how expensive the cost of living is.  Then…

…..drum roll…… 

You start planning your wedding.  AND IT’S EXPENSIVE.  You go to Reddit and everyone is talking about a “wedding tax”. 

 

I sometimes see couples who asked for my price end up hiring a cheaper wedding photographer.   On Facebook, if someone asks for an affordable or free wedding photographer in Sydney (to help “build their portfolio”), you will find 50 replies from various photographers.  

 

TL DR: There are reasons why wedding photography costs look like they are high.  But it’s not because of what you think.  It’s your important day and we also put so much into planning with you, and also making sure that we take the photos you can cherish for years to come.  

So just because you can hire a cheap photographer, should you? 

My general prices are on my website, so check it out at any time.  I believe in being transparent, and even if it is a ball park figure, it helps to see what range of prices you are looking for.  You shouldn’t have to fill in the form, and then next, you are required to be in a zoom call!  

I’m introverted…I don’t want to be in that situation. 

Having said that, you should contact me  if you have any questions or requests.   

How Much Does Wedding Photography Cost in Sydney? 

I asked a few of my fellow photographers and a full day coverage (typically up to 8 hours of continuous coverage) is around $5,000.  

Seems a Reddit post (also this one!) also generally says the same. 

Wedding photographers’ charges may include:

• pre-wedding/engagement photos; 
• for hours they are present to take your photos, like: 
  • Staying and shooting your first dance?
  • Staying till the end if you want the exit photographed – like if it’s a sparkler exit?  
  • Add your getting ready  although I really do recommend your prep to be memorialised in beautiful photos! candid photos are some of my clients’ FAVORITES from the entire wedding gallery!) 
  • Where is the venue and how far is it from the photographer? – PSSSSSSS – I don’t usually charge up to 2.5 hours of driving but also I like to be extra cautious about getting there early enough (even the day before if it’s required). 
  • The number of guests– we try to photograph your guests too.  If you are going have an intimate wedding (like 20 guests – which I loooove to photograph), tell the photographer. If you have a large number of guests, there may be a need for a second photographer. 
• Is it an elopement? – this is a tricky one because theoretically if it’s a small intimate elopement, the price should go down, but I usually help out more (almost like a wedding planner) 
• How quick do you want your photos? Like can you wait 3 months for the edited photos to be delivered if it means $$ savings for you?
• Is there something unique about your wedding? – wink wink if you want to have your wedding Brigerton style, or in a dark goth, or if it’s a pagan wedding – you need to tell me because I would happily give you a discount to shoot your wedding which just happens to be my dream wedding

Contact me at any time if you want to discuss how we can customise your packages. 

What’s Included in Wedding Photography Package 

So, do we rock up to your wedding on the day, click the camera?

Nooooooo 🤦.  I wish it was that easy! And also as a perfectionist, I can’t delegate these steps 🔽to someone else.    

• Pre-planning this includes:
  • Knowing about your day (and I will help you with planning your day too. Sorry about long questionnaire that I send you!!! ) 
    •  If you want to do a surprise proposal even before the wedding, I’m your girl to help you plan it…what works and where and how to do it naturally.  
    • If you want to take photos with your family members on your wedding, you better tell me who don’t talk to each other, and who you want to take photos with 
    • If you want some vendor recommendations, I can also give you some recommendations, like florist, celebrant and venues. 
    • Believe me that I will be looking at where the sun sets using various online apps, which angle/high the sun will be and where the good places to take photos are. 
• I am insured (unfortunately not everyone is). 
• My gears (cameras) are professional gears and lenses with backups of these so that if anything happens on the day, I can exchange to a backup and calmly (maybe sweating inside..haha) continue taking your photos. 
• Quietly recording the moments on the day – doing my best to blend into your guests. Yep. This is the ‘click’ part but I dress for the occasion (and never show up in jeans….like some do) and constantly on alert to find the small moments that tell your story. 
• I choose the best photos and hand edit every one of them.  I may take 5000 photos on a wedding day.  You don’t need all of them.  So I choose the best ones.  Then, edit them in a way that tells your story.  Believe me, not everyone can edit, and some now use AI.  You don’t want your hands to suddenly have 6 fingers (hi AI!) …..it’s a lot because I might be deleting exit signs, fixing some clothes malfunctions etc etc etc.  And when I say, ‘the best photos’ – it’s not just you and your partner’s photos.  Your granny may be in tears.  Your bridesmaid may be in tears when she sees you in the dress for the first time.  Your flower girl may be twirling her dress.  All these small moments tell the story of your day.
• Your photos will be ready in an online gallery.  You can also order high quality prints directly from Australian printing companies.  It’s an online age – but it’s still nice to print some photos that you can see at anytime.  

Is there a wedding tax? 

Let’s go back to the first question.   – Are the prices high because there is a “wedding tax”?  

No.  It’s expensive because like any other service, it’s not a single service (click 📸!) but there are so many other services included and packaged so that we can deliver you beautiful photos that will last forever. 

Check out my prices and ask away any questions

Is Wedding Photography Worth the Price?

The cheap price generally reflects the (in)experience of the photographer.  

If you are lucky, you will get a new photographer with great skills and maybe some editing skills.  

But if I was asked whether you should choose between not having a photographer or having a cheap one, I might say have a cheap one. 

If you go down that path, remember that you are taking a risk – for your important day which can’t be recreated again. 

Cheap wedding photographer is only worth it when you:

• Truly do not have the funds
• Know you can depend on your guests to get good shots (but let’s be honest: won’t they forget about the disposable cameras you put on the table after a few drinks?)
• Don’t plan on hanging your wedding pictures in your home

Wedding photography FAQS 

Can I customise a wedding photography package?  

Absolutely.  OK this answer is too short. Especially with someone like me, who is Japanese.  We Japanese are BIG on making our clients happy and providing personal experiences.  So that’s me and I am happy to customise the packages. 

What if I don’t know how long I need you for? 

No worries.  You are trying to lock in the photographer at the same time as you are planning your wedding details.  We can discuss more about your plans later.  If it makes you comfortable, you can pay a retainer to lock in the date as my dates fill up quickly, sign a contract and decide more details later (minimum hours may apply).  I can also stay more than agreed hours if you want me to stay on the day, at a set rate. This happens more than you think 🙂

Can I pay in instalments? 

Of course! Most photographers offer payment instalments for wedding photography packages.We can discuss how this can be done and how long you need to pay!  Please note that full fee is payable 1 month before the wedding day (or I may not show up).

Why don’t you offer videography? 

I don’t because I want to concentrate on photography but, some options for you: 

• I can add a ‘static’ camera /phone recording on a tripod for some main events for a small additional fee.  It may not be the best but you will have something for your social media. 
• I have reliable videographer/content creators that I can package.  It’ll be easier for you if I can package it for you so that you don’t have to go looking at another long list of vendors, and also it’s easier for me as well because I know I can trust and work flawlessly with these people. 

 

If you want to chat more, check out my website or contact me at any time!