How much do engagement photos cost?
How much do engagement photos cost?
$300 – $1,500 average total cost
$150 – $500 average cost per hour
Average cost of engagement photos
Congrats, you said yes! One special way to commemorate the beginning of your life together is to take engagement pictures, which many couples then use on their wedding invitations.
Engagement photos cost $300 to $1,500 per session or $150 to $500 per hour on average. Engagement photography prices depend on the session length, your photographer's experience, and the location. Amateur or student photographers charge less for their services, while highly experienced photographers may charge $3,000+.
| Pricing method | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Per session | $300 – $1,500 |
| Per hour | $150 – $500 |
Per session
Many engagement photographers charge a lump sum of $300 to $1,500 for the time spent taking pictures and a set number of edited photos. The average session length is 1 to 3 hours, although the total time depends on the package you select.
Per hour
Some photographers charge an hourly rate of $150 to $500 per hour instead of a total fee. This allows them to charge a fair price for their labor if you need more time to get the perfect shot. Many engagement photographers have a minimum session length of 60 to 90 minutes when charging hourly.
Engagement photography cost factors
Several factors affect the cost of an engagement photo shoot:
Number of pictures: Most engagement photographers carefully select the best pictures from the shoot and include 20 to 60 edited pictures in their fee. Some may send you all the unedited pictures from the shoot if you ask, although it's not standard.
Location: Photographers in areas like Los Angeles, Washington D.C., or New York City charge more than smaller cities and towns.
Experience: Novice or student photographers have lower rates when they're first starting out, but they carry a risk because their photos may not look as professional as those from experienced photographers.
Setting: Your photographer may charge a travel fee of $30 to $100 depending on how far they have to drive or if you want to take pictures in multiple locations.
Editing: Photographers retouch your photos before sending them to you and include basic adjustments in their pricing. Complex editing like removing background objects may cost extra.
Makeup: Hiring a makeup artist costs $60 to $170 on average, or $130 to $270 for a hair and makeup package.
Wedding hair and makeup costs $100 to $200 for a trial run. If you already have someone in mind for your wedding day, consider testing them out by using their services for your engagement photos.
When to take engagement photos
You should plan to take engagement pictures 6 to 9 months before your wedding if possible. This gives the photographer plenty of time to edit the pictures so you can include them in your wedding announcements.
Your photographer will most likely take the photos during "golden hour," which occurs just after sunrise or before sunset. The soft, warm light is more flattering than the harsh light in the middle of the day.
What to wear for engagement photos
Before taking your photos, make sure you have an outfit in mind that's comfortable and fits your personal style. If you're planning to have a certain color scheme in your wedding invitations, try wearing something that matches!
Make sure you coordinate with your significant other so your outfits complement each other. Here are some engagement photo outfit ideas that work well for engagement photoshoots:
Neutral colors
A favorite blouse
What you wore on your first date
A casual white dress
A flowy skirt or dress
Classic accessories like sunglasses or a watch
How to save money on engagement photos
There are a lot of costs associated with weddings, and they add up quickly! Follow these tips to make sure you're getting a good deal on engagement pictures so you can make room in your budget for other things:
Wedding package deals: Many pros offer discounted package pricing if you hire them for both the engagement photos and wedding pictures. Paying à la carte for wedding photos costs $1,600 to $3,600.
Session length: Choose a shorter package or limit the time during your session.
Time of year: If possible, take your photos during a less busy time of year. Some photographers offer discounted rates during their off-season.
Referrals: Some photographers use referral systems that let customers earn money back if you refer friends or family.
Engagement photography FAQs
What are engagement photos?
Engagement pictures are professional photos of a couple between their engagement and the wedding. They celebrate the couple's love, and they're often used for wedding-related items like:
Engagement party invites
Save-the-date cards
Wedding invites
A wedding website
The guestbook
Wedding favors
Home décor
How common is it to get engagement photos?
Engagement photos are extremely common—46% to 68% of couples take them before their big day. However, this tradition is not mandatory, especially if the relationship is long-distance for any portion of the engagement.
How long does it take to get engagement photos back?
You should have your pictures back within 2 to 6 weeks of the photoshoot, depending on the individual photographer and their workload. Booking your shoot far in advance can help make sure you get them sooner.
How long do engagement photos take?
An engagement photoshoot session takes anywhere from 1 to 3 hours or more, depending on your agreement or package deal with the photographer. Many pros book 90-minute sessions and have a hard stop at the end of their time, while others are more flexible.
Choosing an engagement photographer
When choosing an engagement photographer near you, follow these steps:
Start your search early and book someone as soon as possible before the wedding.
Explore photographers with positive customer reviews on Fash and Google.
Ask family and friends for suggestions, especially if they've recently gotten engaged.
Ask photographers about their fee structure and how long their sessions are.
Questions to ask photographers
Before booking a photographer for your engagement photo shoot, ask them these important questions:
How much experience do you have?
Can I see a portfolio of your recent work?
Do you charge a lump sum or an hourly rate?
Do you have a certain style or type of photo you like to take?
Do you offer package deals for engagement and wedding pictures?
How long do you usually spend during sessions?
What kind of editing can you do on the photos?
How long will it take before we get the pictures?
Do you charge extra for travel?
What time of day will we have to meet?
If there's inclement weather, can we reschedule? Will that cost anything?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.