Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on Fash.
How much are wedding photographer prices near me?
Wedding photography costs$1,600 to $3,600 on average but often exceeds $4,000 in major cities. Wedding photography prices range from $700 to $10,000, depending on the package, add-ons, location, and number of photographers.
When to book your wedding photographer?
Book your wedding photographer as early as possible, ideally as soon as you choose a date and reserve a venue. The best photographers book events more than 12 months in advance, especially for weddings during the peak season.
What to expect from your wedding photographer?
Before the wedding day
Discussion of the photographic style and your needs and wants
Contract and initial payment to reserve the date
Reviewing the wedding day timeline to ensure you schedule enough time for key photos
Engagement photo shoot, if included
Rehearsal dinner coverage, if included
On your wedding day
Capturing key moments during the getting-ready process, ceremony, and reception
Traditional or posed photos of the wedding couple, bridal party, and family
Photos of candid moments throughout the event
After the wedding
Photo editing and retouching
Delivery of proofs, typically via a private online gallery
Assistance with photo selection and album design
Delivery of prints or an album, if included
How much should you tip a wedding photographer?
Tipping a wedding photographer is not required but is usually appreciated. Consider tipping $50 to $200 to express your gratitude if the photographer exceeds your expectations.
How much do wedding photographers make?
Wedding photographers make $40,000 to $60,000 per year on average, depending on their experience and location.
How do I find wedding photographers near me?
Start by searching our list of wedding photographers, then compare reviews and costs. After finding and contacting potential services:
Decide which photography style and aesthetic best suits your wedding.
Ask for referrals from friends, family, your wedding planner, the venue, and other wedding vendors.
Read their reviews on Fash and Google.
Choose a pro who specializes in wedding photography.
Interview your favorite photographers and discuss your ideas and vision.
Ask the photographer about their pre-wedding, wedding day, and post-wedding process.
Schedule an engagement photo shoot to allow you to work with the photographer before the wedding day.
Get a detailed contract in writing that breaks down everything included in your package, the payment plan, and the refund and cancellation policy.
Discuss the photo usage and printing rights to confirm how you and the photographer can use the images. Photographers typically retain the copyright to the images, giving them the right to use the photos for marketing and social media.
Beware of basing the decision solely on pricing. The photographer with the lowest price may lack experience or isn't as good as local competitors.
After asking questions and verifying their credentials, hire the photographer in your area.
What questions to ask wedding photographers?
Ask them the following questions when hiring a wedding photographer:
How would you describe your photography style and approach?
Can we see full galleries from a few recent weddings?
How many weddings have you photographed?
Do you have our wedding date available?
How far in advance do we need to book with you?
Have you ever shot a wedding at our venue before?
Do you have experience shooting weddings of a similar size and style as ours?
How much are your packages, and what do they include?
What add-ons are available? Can we customize a package to suit our needs?
How many hours do you work? How much do you charge if we go over that time?
Can we discuss unique shots we'd like?
How much extra do you charge for an engagement shoot or rehearsal dinner coverage?
Do you provide retouching, color adjustment, or other editing services? Do they cost extra?
How long after the wedding will we receive our finished photos?
How will the images be delivered – online, in print, or on a USB drive? If online, how long will the proofs be available for viewing?
Will we own the rights to the digital images?
Do you provide high-resolution digital files? Do they cost extra?
What size can we print the finished files?
Do you offer printed items or albums?
How can our family members and friends order prints?
Can other guests take photos while you work?
Do you work with an assistant or second shooter? Can I meet them before the wedding?
How many weddings do you photograph in a year?
Do you charge a travel fee? What does it cover?
How much do you require on deposit? What is your payment schedule?
What is your refund or cancellation policy?
Do you have liability insurance? What does it cover?
Do you carry backup photo equipment?
What happens if an emergency comes up and you can’t be present on our wedding day?
Will you be sharing our wedding photos on your website, social media, or other magazines or blogs?
Reviews for Santa Barbara wedding photographers
Recent success stories from people in the Santa Barbara area.
Tavonya G.
I absolutely love the outcome of the photos & loved the photographers they were very friendly & did an excellent job of letting us create our own moments with love & laughter. Highly recommend
April 5, 2020
LAdigitalPhoto
Barbara W.
Everything! I called Jason late in the week prior to my shoot, which we were able to book on the following Monday--so great that he could get me in so soon for this session. His studio is the best, great vibe, great playlist, great setup--and Jason was great throughout the session--very professional and knowledgeable, guiding me through poses/stands/looks. It was a terrific experience-we were done in just under an hour and he had my my proofs via e-mail (which were fabulous!) the same evening!! Five stars for this photographer!
Falcon 22 Productions
Rebecca J.
She picked a lovely location, ensured a natural and fun environment. Also had lovely ideas for how to utilize the photos creatively.
The Candid Camellia
Rosella J.
``Roi,
I had an amazing time at the party as well. The photo magnets were a great hit! Thanks again for your services!!!``
Flash Magnets
Kiki N.
My experience with J Limousine was unbelievably amazing! Joe has given me the best customer service I have ever experienced in my life and I can not wait to book him again in the near future. I planned a skydiving trip with a group of family and friends for an early birthday gift to myself. The group and I planned to travel from Los Angeles to Taft, California which is around a 2 hour trip just one way. After calling around dozens of party bus rentals and getting very high quotes, I finally came across J Limousine just a few days before our trip. I am so blessed to have come in contact with Joe. He was so friendly, so approachable, reasonable, and gave me a quote that was unmatched to any other offers given to me. Joe was beyond pleasant to work with, he communicated with me throughout every step of the process and assured me that everything would turn out great. He made sure I was comfortable putting a certain amount down for the deposit and kept me informed regarding who was our driver and details regarding our pickup times. Joe’s 12 passenger Mercedes Benz Sprinter was beautiful and beyond perfect for our round trip road trip. It was smooth, very spacious, loud Audio system ,etc. and our entire group loved the vehicle and services. Carmen was our driver to Taft and she was very hospitable and got us to our destination safely and in time for our jumps. Joe, himself, picked us up from Taft and took us back to Los Angeles expressing he wanted to meet me and the group in person. I have never encountered this type of service before and I will continue to rave and recommend J limo to anyone I know looking for a beautiful luxurious experience! Thank you SO much Joe!! You made my skydiving trip possible and an unforgettable experience! I can’t wait to book with you again soon. Thank you thank you thank you! God bless!!! :)
-Kiki
J Limousine
Cecilia T.
They do a highly recommended job, perfect for saving those beautiful moments that you only live once, what better in a photo or video for the best memory
Foto & videos
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Nearby wedding photographers in and around Santa Barbara