And Why Wedding Photography Rates in Los Angeles, NYC and Chicago are Random AF, Make No Sense and How to Avoid Sleazy Sales Statics

Gonna keep it 100, most wedding photographers in any given tier cost about the same and deliver Instagram-worthy photos the same day, all with a decent client experience. So you really can't go wrong with anyone tbh. But I get it — pricing looks like it's all over the fucking place. High key, kinda is, not gonna lie. Probably why you're here, right? So while I can't and won't speak for anyone by telling you what their cost should be, I can help you navigate these waters by giving you a realistic average of what you might spend on photography, and how to avoid the sleazy used-car-salesman tactics that are all too common these days.

How Much Does a Wedding Photographer Cost in 2026?

In cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York, the average cost for a wedding photographer in 2026 is around $5,500 for 8–10 hours of coverage — well above the national average of $3,000. However, this base price does not include additional expenses such as airfare and accommodations for destination weddings, vendor meals, location permit fees, second photographers, assistants, travel fees, or extras like albums, extended coverage, and prints.

Average Wedding Photograph Cost in 2026

Los Angeles — $5,000

New York — $5,500

Chicago — $4,800

Seattle — $4,800

Miami — $5,500

Austin — $4,500

From Hourly Rates to Custom Quotes: Photography Pricing Explained

These are the four most common pricing structures you’ll run into in big cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York — with the three-tier package setup being the one you’ll spot most often in the wild.

Hourly Pricing

Average cost: $1,500 – $2,500
Best for: Courthouse weddings, civil ceremonies, and simple backyard weddings.
Hourly pricing typically includes photography coverage only with one photographer, offering a straightforward option for those needing only ceremony coverage and a limited number of portraits.

Package Pricing

Average cost: $3,000 – $6,000
Best for: Traditional weddings with a ceremony, portrait session, and reception in multiple venues.
Package pricing typically includes extras like an engagement session, albums, with additional photographers and even video/drone footage. Often split into three tiers based on hourly coverage.

Flat-Rate Pricing

Average cost: $4,500 – $7,000
Best for: Non-traditional, single-venue weddings
Flat rates usually cover most of your wedding day without the hassle of add-ons. This pricing typically includes just photography coverage, though sometimes welcome dinners and after-parties might be included, but extras like albums or additional photographers usually are not.

Custom Pricing

Average cost: $10,000 – $25,000+
Best for: Upscale and destination weddings
Custom pricing is typically reserved for high-end or multi-day weddings with extensive logistics, and unique requirements. If you're hiring a luxury photographer or hosting a destination wedding, expect a tailored quote with costs depending on the location, coverage needs, and photographer's expertise.

Why are Wedding Photographers so Expensive?

You don’t need me to tell you that weddings are expensive as hell. Even a simple courthouse elopement can run you $10,000 by the time all is said and done. And what's funny is how most articles on this topic — especially the ones written by photographers — yell from the highest rooftop that "the experience" they offer is the sole reason wedding photography costs so much.

Some even go as far as insulting anyone who charges $1,500 or less, branding them inexperienced, all while scaring you into thinking it's a gamble if you don't drop at least $7,000 on photography — which, surprise to no one, conveniently matches their own pricing. But I'm the asswipe for pointing it out. 🙄 Anyway, as I said before, you really can't go wrong with anyone these days, because price no longer the defining factor of quality as it was in the olden days. The real drivers of wedding photography pricing today unfortunately, come down to the following factors:

The Wedding Tax — People still argue whether this is real or not. Well, I'm here to tell ya that it's as real as a sober priest on Sunday. So the second you slap "wedding" on a product or service, it's expensive AF.

Niche Market Pricing — Some photographers can charge more simply because they offer something specific, like exclusively using 35mm film, are a celebrity photographer, or have access to exclusive venues.

Labor Costs — By far, labor is the biggest expense for any wedding vendor, not just photographers. So the more photographers (plus assistants) that show up to your wedding, the more you're gonna pay for it. And at this point, don't be surprised if they blame Trump's Tariffs too.
The YouTube University Effect — Thanks to "gurus" and online courses, photographers are constantly told: raise your price after each booking, you're hurting the industry by being cheap. All framed as "protecting the industry," but never the client. That's why you'll see a photographer charging $500 today, rebrand to a "luxury destination wedding photographer" tomorrow. The industry pushes everyone to be luxury everything. But photography itself hasn't gotten any better in the last fifteen years because of it.
Online Hype — Like in all industries, some photographers charge more because of online hype. A gazillion million followers on Instagram and TikTok, a YouTube channel full of bot comments, constant features in Vogue, or simply being the wedding planner's go-to MsheU shill. In some cases, they're even treated like celebrities by the fangirls in this community. But none of that means they're better than your friendly neighborhood photographer — it just means the noise alone can drive their prices through the roof.
The Elopement Adventure — Somehow this one ended up in the $10K range. Let that sink in: the same cost as throwing a small backyard wedding with your friends and good food, swapped out for photos of you in heels on some random mountain top you've never even been to. There's no reason anyone should be dropping that much money for pictures of a hike, but here we are. Because what started as a budget-friendly option for those with a genuine love for nature and wanted to save money, got hijacked and spun into yet another luxury product by the industry shills.

Don'g Get Played: How to Spot Sleazy Used Car Salesman Tactics

We've all heard the age-old saying: If you have to ask how much something costs, you probably can't afford it. I don't know who the hell came up with that, but some — especially photographers — have really bought into this stupid line of thinking, not realizing that while you, the client, want beautiful photos, are far more concerned over how much it's gonna cost than having to sit through yet another hour-long sales pitch on why photography is the most important part of your wedding, how the flowers wilt, the cake will get eaten, and if you dare spend less than $X you'll be "gambling with your memories."

Then SURPRISE! you're slapped with a $20K price tag. And I'm not even kidding — more on that later. And of course, you're reeled back in with "but your photos will last forever. So book us." And while there’s no magic trick on getting the "homie's price" from any photographer, I can at the very least leave you with a few practical suggestions on how to stay on budget with your wedding photography coverage — in hopes that you too will spot the hair gel a mile away.

Shop Around

Yes, shop around. Something most wedding vendors tell you not to do. But if you're planning your wedding a year or more in advance, you have more than enough time to find the right photographer who fits your personality and budget. And don't let any photographer — or any vendor, for that matter — guilt-trip you into booking out of fear of missing out. Take your time comparing all available options while prioritizing what you actually need from your photographer.

Don't Ask for a Discount

No one likes being asked for a discount, let alone agreeing to one. Every photographer and vendor works hard to make your wedding as spectacular as possible, spending countless nights running numbers to come up with a pricing structure that is both profitable and fair while staying competitive in the market. All they ask in return is to be paid what they ask. So when you demand a discount, it tells them you don't value what they do.
And while that doesn't call for bad service per se, it doesn't call for exceptional service either. Some will even try to get you later by pushing you to purchase an album that costs as much as what you paid them in the first place. Which goes back to shopping around. Trust me, there is a wedding photographer out there who fits your budget. Patience is key. Besides, most photographers ask for a client's budget ahead of time anyway, so now that you know what the average cost is, you're much better equipped to come in with a solid number in your pocket.

Be as Detailed as Possible

When inquiring with the handful of photographers you've chosen, give them as much detail as possible — timeline, guest count, venue locations, and any and all additional events planned throughout the wedding. This will help the photographer get a clear picture of what they're getting into and allowed them to either customize their pricing or at the very least, guide you toward the package that best fits your wedding.

You Don't Need the Whole Shebang

Listen to me carefully: you do not need the highest-tier package that comes with 10,000 photos, three photographers, two assistants, and 15 hours worth of coverage. Because in reality, you WILL ONLY print a handful of photos — if you print any at all — while the rest will sink into the abyss of a miscellaneous kitchen drawer on a forgotten USB drive. You're not crazy in noticing how most photography packages are inflated with things you don't need, forcing you to navigate three or four options that all look the same — only to be strong-armed into the high-tier package.
Look, I get it — you're only getting married once (hopefully), and you don't want your photographer to miss anything. But do you really want three photographers spending an hour taking photos of your invitations, rings, shoes or your dress on some random tree? Do you really need to drop $500 on a few seconds of drone footage? Or a couple grand on a fragile wedding album that also ends up in a forgotten drawer out of fear it'll get damaged every time you open it?
Believe me when I tell you, you don't need every single angle covered. In all my years, I've seen most clients end up cherishing the so-called boring family photos over the complex, trendy Instagram ones. Every. Single. Time. And you will too. Long story short: the base package is all you need. So throw some of that money toward actual good food — 'cause most wedding food sucks, not gonna lie.

The Viral Wedding Strategy

As I mentioned earlier, some photographers thrive on online hype, be it through features in wedding blogs or going viral on the internet dot com. And while I'm not saying there's nothing in it for you, the truth is: the wedding industry runs on trends. So if your wedding screams Vanity Fair spread or has a high potential of being the next TikTok sensation, you're likely to get a few perks thrown in. But don't act slick tryna twist it into leverage for a discount either, these photographers will catch you slippin a mile away.

Avoid Photographers Who Don't Post Prices

If a photographer doesn't list their prices upfront, you're likely to end up in one of three scenarios: either their pricing is so astronomically high, you start asking on Reddit if you're being taken advantage of after being quoted $22,500 for photography coverage — or you find out their pricing is basically the same as the other photographers you're considering. Both scenarios come after you've sat through an hour-long presentation. And while there's nothing wrong with those PowerPoint presentations, after a few of them (and a couple beers down), you'll start questioning why the hell this practice is even normal, and why vendors aren't transparent about cost upfront.
The third scenario comes after you've slogged through a website and contact form that feels more like an SAT exam. To be rewarded with a thirty–page PDF "pricing guide" that is just a website clone. Same photos, same branding, only now stretched into endless pages about their hobbies, yet another autobiography, their process, testimonials, why they're worth every penny, and the classic lecture on why you shouldn't let your cousin with a fancy camera photograph your wedding. By the time you scroll through their delivery timelines and editing promises, you realize you've been strung along with busywork just to see the same numbers they could've posted on their website from the start. Imagine if Amazon pulled that on you just to see the price of a toaster?

The Scare Tactic Sales Pitch

Some photographers will tell you that spending less on photography is a huge risk — which is disgusting AF, because plenty of experienced photographers charge $1,500 at most and are booked solid. Look, pricing doesn't always reflect skill; sometimes it's just branding, business model, or market positioning.
Some photographers set their rates high, call it the "industry standard," while conveniently listing rates that just so happens to match you guessed it, the industry standard. Others charge "cheap" but have multiple photographers on staff, and you might end up with someone whose first day on the job is your wedding. And some like me, run a one man show. Point being, there's no right or wrong photography business model because quality can exist at any price point or model.
The truth is, there is no set price or business model for wedding photography. Period. The best photographer for you isn't the most expensive one, the cheapest one, or even the one whose work fits your budget either. The best one might really just come down to if you can stand looking at their creepy faces all day. So whether you pay $500 or $5,000, you're practically guaranteed to get good photos thanks to the advancements in digital photography over the last few years. Even someone with an iPhone, a so-called wedding content creator, could cover most of your wedding now.

How Much Should You Spend on a Wedding Photographer?

As the old saying goes, something is worth as much as you're willing to spend on it. And when it comes to the cost of a wedding photographer, it shouldn't be as complicated as the industry makes it out to be. There's no secret formula, just different business models. Some photographers thrive on volume, others on exclusivity, and plenty fall somewhere in between. At the end of the day, you don't need a luxury budget to get great photos.

Ignore the fear-mongering. Don’t fall for the sleazy used-car-salesman tactics. Focus on finding a photographer who fits you and your family's personality, not what the industry tells you to value. Take your time, ask questions, and most importantly, don't let anyone pressure you into paying for something you don't need. Because often, it's not even about the price tag or the photos — it's about the person taking them.