How Much Does a Wedding Photographer Cost in Michigan?
Let's talk wedding photography pricing without making it weird.
Okay, let's talk money.
If you're planning a wedding, you've probably started looking at photographers and thought:
“Wait... why are they all different prices?”
And maybe you had a number in your head already.
A lot of couples I talk to initially think they'll spend around $2,000 on wedding photography. Then they start looking around and realize that photographers with experience are often $3,000 and up.
So what exactly are you paying for?
Why does one photographer charge $1,500 while another charges $3,500 or $6,000?
And what does all of that actually include?
Let's break it down.
What does a Michigan wedding photographer actually cost?
There isn't one set price for wedding photography in Michigan.
You can find photographers at a lot of different price points, and there are reasons for that.
In my experience, if you're looking for a photographer with some experience and an established business, $3,000 and up is a realistic starting point.
You may find photographers for less. You may find photographers who charge quite a bit more.
I have friends who charge $5,000 to $7,000 for weddings in more tourist-heavy areas.
The important thing is to look beyond the number on the pricing guide and figure out what you're actually getting for that price.
Why $2,000 is such a common starting assumption.
I think $2,000 is one of those numbers that gets thrown around a lot when people first start making their wedding budget.
And I get it.
You see “wedding photographer” on your budget spreadsheet and think, Okay, maybe $2,000 should cover it.
Then you start looking.
Suddenly you're finding photographers at $3,000, $4,000, $5,000 and beyond.
That doesn't automatically mean someone charging less is bad or someone charging more is better. It means you need to look at what is included and what kind of experience you're paying for.
Your photographer is not just showing up with a camera, taking pictures and sending you a folder.
There is a lot happening before, during and after your wedding day.
What affects the price of a wedding photographer?
There are quite a few things that can change the cost of wedding photography.
How many hours you need
A six-hour wedding and a ten-hour wedding are very different days to photograph.
More coverage means more time photographing, more images to go through afterward and more time spent working with you before the wedding.
How many photographers are there
A second photographer means you're getting two people documenting your wedding day instead of one.
That obviously affects the price, but it can also give you a much bigger view of the day.
Engagement sessions
Some photographers include engagement sessions while others charge separately.
Engagement sessions aren't just about getting pretty photos for your save-the-dates, either.
They are a chance to meet your photographer, get comfortable with them and get comfortable being in front of the camera before your wedding day.
Editing
You are not just paying for someone to take the photos.
You are paying for what happens afterward, too.
For me, that means hand-selected culling, light acne touch-ups and color correction. Every image that makes it into your final gallery gets individual attention.
Albums and prints
Some photographers include albums. Some offer them as an add-on. Some specialize almost entirely in digital delivery.
There isn't necessarily a right or wrong way to do this. Just make sure you know what you're actually receiving before you compare one photographer's price to another.
Travel
Where your wedding is located can also affect pricing.
For my weddings, if you're booking at least six hours of coverage, I will travel anywhere within 250 miles without a travel cost.
So yes, I am willing to travel around Michigan.
Coverage hours: How much photography do you actually need?
This is one of the biggest things that affects your photography price. And honestly, you don't necessarily need ten hours just because ten hours exists.
Think about what you actually want photographed. Do you want the end of getting ready, the ceremony and some portraits? Do you want getting ready for both sides, a first look, cocktail hour and a big chunk of the reception? Do you want almost your entire wedding day documented from getting ready through your reception and potentially your send-off?
Those are very different coverage needs.
6 hours: Short & Sweet
This is perfect for a shorter wedding day.
Six hours can cover your detailed shots, the tail-end of getting ready with the girls, your ceremony, family photos, bridal portraits and the first 30 minutes of your reception.
With my Micro Collection, you receive:
Up to 6 hours of coverage
1 photographer
Professional image editing
400+ digital images
USB drive
Social media album giveaway
8 hours: The popular one
Eight hours is my most popular collection because it gives you a lot more room to document the day.
This can cover details, getting ready for both bridal parties, first looks, your ceremony, family photos, bridal portraits, cocktail hour and your reception through about an hour on the dance floor.
You also get an engagement session, which is perfect for save-the-dates and invitations and gives us a chance to work together before your wedding day.
The Classic Collection includes:
Up to 8 hours of coverage
2 photographers
Complimentary engagement session
Professional image editing
500+ digital images
USB drive
Social media album giveaway
10 hours: The whole day
Ten hours is for the couple who wants as much of the day documented as possible.
You can have almost the entire getting-ready portion photographed for both sides, along with your first look, ceremony, family photos, bridal portraits and most of your reception.
It also gives you the option of having me stick around for a couples send-off.
The Premium Collection includes:
Up to 10 hours of coverage
2 photographers
Complimentary engagement session
Professional image editing
800+ digital images
USB drive
Social media album giveaway
Why does a second photographer cost more?
A second photographer isn't just there to take a few extra pictures.
They're another person watching what is happening while I'm photographing something else.
During cocktail hour, for example, one photographer can be with you while the other photographs your guests.
During the ceremony, you can have two different angles of the couple.
During family photos, a second photographer can help get people organized while I'm taking the photos.
And there are all those little reactions you might not see yourself. Your friends laughing at cocktail hour. Your parents watching the ceremony. Your bridal party dancing at the reception.
You can't be everywhere on your wedding day.
Having two photographers gives you more chances to see the things you missed.
What does an engagement session actually do for you?
Yes, you're getting photos.
But I think the biggest benefit is getting comfortable together before the wedding.
You get to meet me, figure out how I direct you and realize that having a camera pointed at you is not nearly as scary as it sounds.
You also get photos you can use for your save-the-dates, invitations and other wedding details.
And by the time your wedding day arrives, we're not meeting for the first time while you're getting ready.
We already know each other.
What about digital files, USBs, prints and albums?
When you book with me your digital images and USB drive are included.
You don't have to purchase your wedding photos one by one after the wedding. Your finished gallery comes with the edited images included in your collection.
And if you want to print your photos, you can order high-quality prints through my shop on photo paper, canvas and other materials for an additional cost.
I love having digital images because you can easily share them with family and friends, but there is something pretty special about actually having your wedding photos printed and hanging in your home, too.
What does “all-inclusive” actually mean?
When I say a wedding photography collection is all-inclusive, I mean you're paying for the photography experience as a whole rather than paying a low starting price and then discovering that everything you actually want costs extra.
You're getting your photography coverage, professional editing and your finished digital images.
Depending on the collection, you're also getting a second photographer, an engagement session and other included features.
The goal is for you to know what you're getting when you book.
No wondering afterward if you need to buy your own photos.
No surprise charge because you want the digital files.
You should be able to look at a photography collection and understand what you're paying for.
Why do photographers have such different prices?
This is probably the biggest question.
Why does one photographer charge $1,500 and another charge $3,500?
Part of it is the actual photography. Part of it is experience. And part of it is everything happening behind the scenes that you never see.
When you book a photographer, you're paying for their experience, equipment, organization and professionalism.
Running a photography business also comes with a LOT of expenses. Website domains. Company email. Your CRM. Gallery delivery software. Insurance. Editing software. Equipment. Hard drives. SD cards. Shipping from print labs. Second photographers. Business supplies. The list goes on.
For me, I use a CRM to keep track of contracts, payments and communication. I have a gallery delivery service for your finished images. I have business insurance. I have multiple cameras, lenses, memory cards and hard drives.
And then there is the time. The time spent answering emails. The time spent preparing for your wedding. The time photographing your wedding. The time selecting and editing your images. The time getting your gallery ready. The time making sure your photos are backed up and delivered properly.
You're paying for a lot more than the few hours you see me holding a camera.
So what do you actually get with Be Photographed?
Okay, enough talking about photography pricing.
Let's talk about what this actually looks like if you book Be Photographed.
I currently offer three wedding collections so you can choose the amount of coverage that makes sense for your day.
Micro Collection | $2,800
Up to 6 hours | 1 photographer
This is my Short & Sweet option.
You get professional editing, 400+ digital images, a USB drive and a social media album giveaway.
Classic Collection | $3,400
Up to 8 hours | 2 photographers
This is my most popular collection.
You get an engagement session, two photographers, professional editing, 500+ digital images, a USB drive and a social media album giveaway.
Premium Collection | $3,900
Up to 10 hours | 2 photographers
This is the Best of the Best.
You get an engagement session, two photographers, professional editing, 800+ digital images, a USB drive and a social media album giveaway.
And because we're talking about the actual wedding day, this collection gives you room for almost the entire getting-ready portion, your first look, ceremony, family photos, portraits and most of your reception, with the option to schedule a couples send-off.
There are also additional options available if you need them, including a second shooter, expedited edits, rehearsal dinner coverage and custom Photoshop work.
Want to see everything?
If you're planning your Michigan wedding and want to see the full breakdown, that's what my pricing guide is for.
You can look through the collections, see what's included and figure out which one makes the most sense for your wedding day.
And if you're still not sure how many hours you need, that's okay too.
Tell me what you're planning and we can figure it out together.
Hi, I'm Brooke!
If you've made it this far, hi!
I'm Brooke, the photographer behind Be Photographed.
I'm based in Lansing and photograph weddings, engagements and proposals throughout Michigan.
I love the pretty portraits, but I also want to photograph the stuff you didn't see happening. The reactions, the ridiculous dance moves, the people crying during your ceremony and all the little pieces of the day that you'll want to remember later.
My goal is to give you photos that feel like your wedding, while also making the photography part of the day feel easy.
So if you're looking for a Michigan wedding photographer, I'd love to hear what you're planning.
And if you're currently staring at five different pricing guides wondering why none of them look the same...
Welcome to wedding planning. 😂
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