Thinking of selecting wedding photography as your niche? Know how rewarding this choice is monetarily, by knowing how much salary you’d earn as a wedding photographer.
Know that …
… following and taking part in activities lined up by organizations such as Professional Photographers of America (PPA) and Wedding and Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) will help you develop a dynamic resume. Every couple wants their wedding to be captured in photographs, so that they can relive those moments. To make this possible, they hire a wedding photographer, who has, over the years, become an indispensable part of the event.
A wedding photographer shoots all the activities related to a wedding―the rehearsal dinner, the wedding, the reception, etc. S/he can be hired to shoot all these events or just a few of them. Earlier the role of a wedding photographer involved only shooting the bride and groom, it has now evolved significantly. Today, couples travel all over the world for their pre-wedding shoot. The salary of a wedding photographer, thus, has become significantly rewarding than what it was before.
Please Note:
- All figures are as of January 2014, and in U.S. Dollars.
- All figures are average annual salaries and may vary according to education, experience, location, and type of employer.
Salary By State
| Alabama | 106,000 |
| Alaska | 84,000 |
| Arizona | 91,000 |
| Arkansas | 102,000 |
| California | 114,000 |
| Colorado | 95,000 |
| Connecticut | 119,000 |
| Delaware | 96,000 |
| Florida | 100,000 |
| Georgia | 122,000 |
| Hawaii | 68,000 |
| Idaho | 72,000 |
| Illinois | 117,000 |
| Indiana | 104,000 |
| Iowa | 103,000 |
| Kansas | 96,000 |
| Kentucky | 90,000 |
| Louisiana | 91,000 |
| Maine | 91,000 |
| Maryland | 109,000 |
| Massachusetts | 126,000 |
| Michigan | 107,000 |
| Minnesota | 93,000 |
| Mississippi | 116,000 |
| Missouri | 104,000 |
| Montana | 101,000 |
| Nebraska | 79,000 |
| Nevada | 89,000 |
| New Hampshire | 104,000 |
| New Jersey | 115,000 |
| New Mexico | 94,000 |
| New York | 129,000 |
| North Carolina | 104,000 |
| North Dakota | 94,000 |
| Ohio | 102,000 |
| Oklahoma | 97,000 |
| Oregon | 101,000 |
| Pennsylvania | 99,000 |
| Rhode Island | 101,000 |
| South Carolina | 100,000 |
| South Dakota | 79,000 |
| Tennessee | 99,000 |
| Texas | 102,000 |
| Utah | 85,000 |
| Vermont | 96,000 |
| Virginia | 107,000 |
| Washington | 105,000 |
| West Virginia | 102,000 |
| Wisconsin | 96,000 |
| Wyoming | 91,000 |
Source: Indeed
Educational Requirements
Usually, students have no option but to acquire a general photography degree and then, post that, individually choose to be a wedding photographer. There is no separate degree per se, that is completely dedicated to wedding photography. However, acquiring this degree gives you a stronger technical backing. You study equipment, technique, related software, composition, etc., which can be later used to creatively invent a style of your own.
Taking part in workshops related to wedding photography, completing courses offered by other schools/universities, and staying up to date with newer equipment will increase your chances of earning more.
Job Description
- First and foremost, a wedding photographer has to talk to the couple who is getting married. S/he has to know them properly before shooting what is perhaps the most important day of their lives.
- After knowing them for the people they are, s/he has to make a list of what they’re expecting in terms of number of photographs, number of events, particular moments they want captured a particular way, etc.
- Based on what is expected, s/he has to form a contract and get it signed before the first session.
- The photographer should click all the special moments during the wedding―the bride walking down the aisle, the couple taking the vows, exchange of rings, etc.
- The photographer is also responsible for the bringing in of equipment that s/he thinks is necessary.
- The wedding photographer is also responsible for editing photographs. Sometimes, the couple might want changes in some photographs. In such cases, the photographer is responsible for doing the needful.
- Sometimes, a particular package might help the couple financially. For example, a DVD along with the photographs might come cheap than hiring two separate people for these jobs. It is the duty of the photographer to inform the customers of such packages, if any.
- If the wedding photographer needs to work closely with the church staff, special permissions may be required. For example, certain churches may not allow flash during a certain part of the ceremony. In this case, the photographer may request an imitation later on.
Today, more than experience, couples look for photographers who can do something creatively. Experiment as much as you can with your skills, to offer something that is unique, affordable, and yet beautiful.
