This is such a basic question, with such a complex answer! I decided to write a blog post to break down all the parts to this question once and for all!

first look with bride and groom in grainy black and white at high grove estate in Fuqua marina North Carolina

Do I really need a ‘Professional Wedding Photographer’?

The answer here is a resounding, yes. Don’t leave the biggest day of your life to someone inexperienced or unsure, and for a plethora of reasons, which I cover in another blog post, linked here.

documentary and candid style photos of emotional first look near Raleigh, North Carolina

couples portrait session in the rain on their wedding day taken by NC’s best wedding photographer

wedding day getting ready photos and wedding dress images at the beautiful high grove estate

candid portraits of sweet family moments at wedding reception

Prioritize Photography within your budget

I’ve seen a lot of Facebook posts from couples talking about how they’ve booked everything and just don’t have much of their budget left to spend on hiring a photographer. This is totally fine, and I absolutely get it—you have never gotten married before or planned a wedding before, and it’s all totally fkn overwhelming and you have so much to do and….. AGH!

But I got youuuuuu.

First of all, when you begin to plan your wedding, you should hire your photographer early. Like, I’m talking either right after booking your venue. Even if you don’t have a dress yet, book your photographer. The only thing you really need to book your photographer is a wedding date.

Hiring your wedding photographer early eliminates two problems: this ensures that your wedding photographer is available for your wedding date, and, this holds you accountable to prioritizing photography when it comes to your total wedding budget.

But Ashley, WHYYYYY should I prioritize wedding photography within my budget?

Well, to put it simply, photography is the most important part of the whole day (and I’m not just saying this because I am a wedding photographer... if you know me as a person you know that I’m incapable of bullshit, not only because I can’t stand dishonesty but also because I have ADHD and literally overshare the truth even if it hurts me). Walk with me here… If shit goes wrong at your wedding, your photographer is either inexperienced or experienced AF and takes care of the issue without it even showing up on your radar. An experienced, badass photographer can make absolutely ANYTHINGGGGG (and I mean that) look great. An experienced photographer can get stunning reactions from your friends and family during the speeches without missing a beat. An experienced photographer moves through the event and through the day with total confidence, and if that photographer needs to correct a situation to make sure it’s all exactly what their couple wants and envisioned, they will do it, without hesitation. A talented photographer knows they could photograph your wedding if their arms and legs got cut off…. as ridiculous as that sounds, I swear, it’s a calling, it’s an intuition, and its something that a good ass photographer could do with their eyes closed, honestly. I could photograph a room based on the way the energy feels alone and know exactly where the best energy is. An experienced, talented photographer will capture moments that will be a surprise to you as a couple, and maybe even a surprise to the subjects ( like the photo above of Julia’s parents stealing a kiss during the evening…. they were not aware I was photographing them, but I got the sweetest moment). An experienced photographer knows their camera well, knows their settings well, and if you hired someone very artistic like myself, it all flows as more of an intuition versus a rigid technical use of equipment. Your flowers will die, your cake will be eaten, your dress will hang in the closet. But your photos will be something that you cherish for the rest of your lifetime…. we’re talking potentially 80 years… and then some if you have children that will pass those images down to other generations….. for f*cks sake, please have someone AMAZING photograph your wedding day.

The amazing photographers book out early. And they charge more. I’m going to upset some people by saying that but, I’m sorry, the amazing photographers do charge more, they just do. They know that they are the absolute best for the job, and they know that they can get the job done and totally kill it. It has nothing to do with being cocky or full of oneself, as I am definitely one of those people that is neither of those things. Pricing has everything to do with self worth and the photographer’s confidence in their ability to kick ass at what they do. Good photographers know what they’re doing and they have no doubt that they are worth what they’re charging to make ART out of your day. Don’t you want this once in a lifetime day captured as beautiful, unique, jaw dropping art that you can keep forever? I’ll tell you what you don’t want, and it’s the constant and forever visual reminder that you didn’t budget enough for wedding photography.

beautiful intimate wedding at Highgrove Estate, Fuqway Varina, NC

Wait so, how much are we talking?

In North Carolina, you can snag a professional, kickass, incredible photographer for between $3,500 to $8000, with luxury photographers having a starting price around $10,000, according to heartofncweddings.com. (Awesome budgeting article linked!!) They also recommend budgeting an additional $1500 - $2000 for additional shoots or add-ons, which is definitely accurate and practical.

For myself, I charge right around these figures for packages starting at 6 hours, and a tiny bit less than the low end of the NC average for elopements (fewer than 10 people, more information on elopements linked here.) However, my 8 + 10 hour packages are FAR below the North Carolina high end average, which makes them a steal (and something that might change in the near future!).

To be completely transparent with you, I would feel like anything starting at less than $3000 for a wedding or microwedding is very suspicious. I would steer clear of photographers under this price (not including elopement or 10 people or less pricing) for fear of being ripped off in some way. Very low prices are a pretty big red flag, seeing as anyone (honest or not, photographer or NOT) can claim to be a wedding photographer and take your money.