Wedding Photographer

By TACP Staff on July 08, 2021

Wedding photography is a photographic genre that refers to the process of capturing candid moments of a wedding ceremony, reception, and other aspects of the day. Wedding photography is a worldwide industry that takes place at various locations including homes, churches, hotels, and venues. In 2019, there were over 2.02 million weddings documented with photographs in the United States alone. The average number of photographs taken per wedding is more than one thousand but this varies depending on the size of the event.

What Is a Wedding Photographer?

A wedding photographer generally captures memorable moments and details on the wedding day to create a fabulous album of memories. This includes capturing the big moments like when partners first see each other, exchanging vows or rings, and during the ceremony. They may also take candid photos throughout the day at various points such as in front of a church or reception hall. Wedding photographers can be very creative in their approach to capturing those magical moments that will serve as a lasting memory for their clients.

Wedding photography is a profession that is one of the most challenging and rewarding, even if it can be quite stressful at times. Invasive family members, awkward relatives, and demanding clients can make some days feel like you’re shooting in a war zone. However, when everything goes right and the photographs turn out beautifully, there’s nothing like hearing the joy in your client’s voice. 

What Does a Wedding Photographer Do?

Wedding photographers document the event and capture candid shots of loved ones and guests that will last a lifetime. From candid family portraits to beautifully composed formal shots, the wedding photographer will be a constant presence at the event capturing every beautiful and joyous detail. Wedding photographers quietly watch the couple and their guests interact with each other, taking pictures of the happy couple and their guests to create a lasting memory of their special day.

Examples of Wedding Photography

Wedding Photographer Salary 

Wedding photographers earn significantly more, on average, than general photographers according to data published by ZipRecruiter.com. According to ZipRecruiter, the national average for a wedding photographer, as of July 2021, is $104,417 or $50.20 per hour. By comparison, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, reports the median annual salary for general photographers is $41,280 or $19.85 per hour. 

Data collected from job postings on ZipRecruiter shows that top-earning Wedding Photographers make approximately $130,000, which suggests that opportunities for increased pay are achievable as a person’s experience and skill level grow. 

Highest Paying States for Wedding Photographers

STATEANNUAL SALARY *HOURLY WAGE *
Massachusetts$112,748$54.21
Hawaii$111,663$53.68
Connecticut$111,033$53.38
Rhode Island$107,567$51.72
Washington$106,341$51.13
* Zip Recruiter, Average Wedding Photographer Salary by State, July 2021

Professional Organizations & Resources

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