Pricing and Information
Weddings
No two weddings are alike and there is no cookie cutter process with our services either. We will tailor a collection suitable to your individual needs based on your needs and wants. Collections include plenty of coverage time, albums, our signature style editing, digital negatives and a host of other options starting at $2999 or $1699 with our associates.
The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Photographer Pricing In New Orleans
Planning a wedding in New Orleans can be crazy-making. Since this is probably the first wedding you’ve ever planned, it’s hard to know where to begin!
On top of that, you have to figure out how much it costs to get what you want without blowing your budget.
And wedding pricing in the New Orleans metro is all over the map!
How do you figure out how much it should cost for a wedding photographer?
The first thing you need to do is educate yourself about prices in your market. So give yourself a pat on the back for doing the smart thing by reading this report. :)
If I were you, I’d be asking myself, “Why should I listen to YOU?”
It’s a good question! So let me introduce myself.
My name is Amin Russell from Amin Russell Photography and I’ve been a wedding photographer and I’ve rocked over 200 awesome weddings over 20 years.
I know how much it costs to get a great wedding photographer and where you can afford to cut corners.
I’ve also talked to brides and grooms who didn’t invest in hiring the right photographer…and lived to regret it.
After seeing so many of my couples overwhelmed and frustrated over wedding costs, I just HAD to do something about it!
There are wedding photographers in every price range.
I’m not here to “sell” you on my business. I know what I do is amazing (my happy couples agree), but I’m not for everyone.
You deserve to know the truth about wedding photographer pricing.
I’m here to help you make an informed decision about what’s right for you.
Wedding Photographer Pricing in Greater New Orleans
According to The Wedding Report, couples spend up to $8,000 or more on their wedding photography.
The average couple in the New Orleans metro spends $1630 on their wedding photographer.
But that number only tells HALF the story. The “average” figure includes couples who elope with a justice of the peace and spend nothing, as well as those who hire celebrity photographers costing $8,000.
There are 3 price ranges for wedding photographers in our market:
#1 – Bargain photographers Under $900
#2 – Average photographers $1001 - $1,630
#3 – Wedding Specialist photographers $3,100 and Up
Let’s explore what you can typically expect in each of these ranges.
BARGAIN photographers
Obviously, there may be exceptions in each of these categories. But in general…
Bargain photographers are:
- Less experienced
- Working part-time
- Focus on quantity, not quality
Most bargain photographers are amateurs or hobbyists. They have a regular “day job” and provide wedding photography on the side.
They may be truly passionate about what they do, but they often aren’t as easy to reach, their communication is less reliable, and they may not be available for meetings and phone calls as much as you’d like.
Some of these are brand new photographers who don’t know how to work in low light or who work at local clubs. They often have very little experience with weddings.
You’ll typically find mixed reviews of these photographers as their performance tends to be inconsistent. You may catch a good one on a good day..but then again, you might not.
Some of these photographers are working full-time offering a budget service. I call these “fast food” photography companies.
These photographers focus on QUANTITY of weddings, rather than delivering QUALITY service. Their performance tends to be more standardized and lacking in personalization because of the need to serve lots of couples with a minimum investment of time to make money.
It’s kind of like going to MacDonald’s. They focus on feeding people as quickly and efficiently as possible. Get ‘em in, get ‘em out.
Will you get what you order? Sure.
Is it going to be a gourmet meal? Not a chance.
AVERAGE PHOTOGRAPHERS
The photographers in the average price range tend to have a bit more experience, education and better reviews.
Average wedding photographers:
- Are more reliable and consistent.
- Skilled in low light and off camera light.
- Have decent reviews.
These wedding photographers tend to take their businesses more seriously. Most of them are full-time or on the way there.
They show up on time (usually), photograph well and offer the standard printed portrait options.
Often these average photographers photograph for all kinds of events, including weddings. They also do bar mitzvahs, birthday parties, high school reunions, corporate events, proms and karaoke events.
They aren’t wedding specialists, so they may not be experienced or equipped to deliver top notch service that’s catered for a wedding.
They’re more like an Applebee’s. It’s standard, average food. You have more opportunities for customization, but it’s still not going to be a gourmet meal.
As the average price suggests, you can expect pretty average service.
WEDDING SPECIALIST PHOTOGRAPHERS
Now we come to the wedding specialists.
If your photography is important to you, these are the guys and gals you want to hire.
Of course, I’m biased because I happen to fall into this category, but there’s a reason these photographers cost more.
Wedding Specialist photographers have LOTS of experience.
They’ve personally performed for hundreds or weddings and have decades of experience.
These photographers invest in regular training in low light work, album design, creative posing, off camera lighting, latest product trends and more.
They buy the best equipment -- in fact, many of them are addicted to the coolest new lights and camera gear (ask how I know that?) -- and practice weekly to keep their skills sharp.
They attend industry events to learn more about weddings and what’s happening in the photography world. They often belong to photography associations like the PPA, WPPI and take classes to improve on a regular basis.
Some of them are artists and trained videographers (like me) with college degrees in a photography or art background. They know photography intimately and it translates to smooth, creative portraits and an enhanced ability to create artwork and artistic imagery.
Wedding specialist photographers charge a premium because they deliver a premium service.
Expect things like:
- Custom designed albums with several cover options
- Off camera lighting
- Stunning wall art
- Beautiful packaging
- Creative ideas and customization
Many of these wedding specialists also offer additional services such as photo booths and even help coordinate the wedding.
They understand that their role is about so much more than taking great photos; their job is to make sure everything goes smoothly.
You’ll find nothing but 5 star reviews of these wedding specialists for good reason. They deliver.
It’s like eating at the restaurant of a famous 5 Star Chef. You can expect the highest level of skill, professional service and attention to detail at every step of the way.
The REAL Price of a Wedding Photographer
At first, it seems like the least expensive option is the best way to do. That’s the best way to save money, right?
Sometimes going cheap can be a good idea, but it can also lead to a wedding disaster.
The first question to ask yourself is, “How important is the wedding photography to YOU?”
If you end up with low quality or unreliable photography, is that acceptable?
Will you still have the wedding you want without it?
Is saving some money worth the risk?
If it’s not that important then you get EXACTLY what you want delivered precisely to your standards, hiring a low-priced wedding photography might be a good idea.
You’ll probably find someone who shows up, photographs and gets the job done to at least an average level.
On the other hand, if NOT having amazing photography that keeps your guests looking sharp all night long is going to be something you’ll regret, it makes sense to invest more in someone who can deliver exactly what you want.Why the Cheapest Isn’t Always a Bargain
Here’s something some other wedding photographers won’t tell you:
The cheapest price isn’t always the best value.
Some photographers charge a very low starting rate that doesn’t include most of what you’ll want for your wedding.
For example, the package might cost only $500 but it doesn’t include albums, printed portraits or even quality files. By the time you add that on, you’re paying $1,500!
You’re probably going to want some printed portraits and a wedding album for your treasured memories. Make sure you know the REAL price that includes all these things.
Sometimes it’s actually a better value to go with a more expensive package.
Here are some questions to ask a potential wedding photographers to learn about the value of his/her offers:
- How much and what type of experience do you have?
- How many weddings have you performed for?
- Do you have a background or training in photography?
- May I speak to couples who’ve hired you?
- What will you do if my your camera breaks?
Most of the couples I meet spend at least $2,400 - $3,400 on their wedding photography to get the quality they want.
You deserve a wedding day that’s exactly how you want it to be. It’s my job to ask questions, listen and make your dream wedding a reality.
You should see the images you love -- and none of the ones you hate! -- and your guests should share in your memories. Your wedding should tell a story to ALL your guests, from your friends to your grandparents.
And above all, your wedding should be totally “you.”
Your style, your personality, your love story. Nothing cookie-cutter about it.
You should never have to suffer through an obnoxious, corny photographer who steal the spotlight or fuzzy images you hate.
What Do You Get For the Price?
There’s obviously a lot involved in hiring the right wedding photographer for you. This report should point you in the right direction.
However, I’m happy to answer any questions you might have.
If you’re only interested in the lowest price, I’m probably not the guy for you.
But if you’d like to know more about what you REALLY get for the price, let’s talk!
Call or text me at (504) 708-4534 or email me at info@aminrussell.com to set up a free photography consultation.
We’ll meet and grab a coffee or a couple glasses of wine, and find out if I’m the right match for your wedding.
In order to get a more accurate quote, please contact us and let's hear all about your day.
If you are getting married and we are within your budget, I'd love to be a part of your special day.
Portraits
For additional information, feel free to contact us.
I have photographed portraits for longer than I have photographed weddings. My love of the camera started when I was just 16 years old when I began taking after school classes at OP Walker High in New Orleans.
Being able to dissect a portrait and learn about film and the inner workings of the darkroom peaked my curiosity at an early age.
Portraits include genres such as headshots, maternity, families, seniors and boudoir.
If you are looking for portraits in any of these genres, feel free to contact me.