As a wedding photographer, I understand how confusing and overwhelming it can be to try and figure out how many hours of photography you need for your special day. Choosing the right amount of time for your wedding photography is an important decision. You want to make sure you have enough coverage to capture all of the important moments, but you also don’t want to overpay for time you don’t need. So, how many hours of wedding photography do you actually need?
From the size of your wedding party to the number of photos you would like taken, I will explain the various factors you need to consider. By the end of this blog, you will be able to more confidently make the right decision regarding your wedding photography needs!
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Size of the wedding
The size of your wedding will have a big impact on how much time you need for photography. If you’re having a small, intimate wedding with just a handful of guests, you may only need a few hours of coverage. However, if you’re having a larger wedding with many guests, you’ll likely need more time to capture all of the moments.
Number of locations
If you’re getting ready in one location, having the ceremony in another, and the reception in a third location, you’ll need more time for your photographer to travel between locations and set up their equipment.
Type of coverage
Consider what type of photography coverage you want. If you just want photos of the ceremony and a few family portraits, you’ll need less time than if you want full coverage of the entire day, including getting ready, the first look, reception, and more.
Photography style
Different photography styles require different amounts of time. If you’re going for a more documentary-style approach, your photographer will need more time to capture candid moments throughout the day. If you’re going for a more posed, formal approach, your photographer may need less time for shooting but more time for setup.
As a general rule, most couples typically book their photographer for 6-10 hours of coverage. This usually provides enough time to capture getting ready photos, the ceremony, family portraits, and some reception coverage. However, every wedding is unique, and you should discuss your specific needs with your photographer to ensure that you have the right amount of time for your big day.
Ultimately, the amount of time you need for wedding photography will depend on your individual needs and preferences. Take the time to discuss your options with your photographer and choose the package that best fits your budget and vision for your special day!
If you’d like to see more of my work, click here. If you’re looking for a photographer, click here, and let’s chat!
Kind Words
“Amanda photographed by brother and sister-in-law’s wedding as well as our family photos during my graduation from years back. Not only are the photos incredibly beautiful, my entire family always thinks about how amazing and comfortable she made us feel. When it came time to choose a photographer for our small SF City Hall wedding, there was no other person that had considered other than Amanda and kept our fingers crossed that she would be available (and was SO happy that she was)!
Just as we remembered, she makes everything so fun, brings so much energy, warmth and joy! Especially, me being someone who is very stiff and not good at taking photos, Amanda has an uncanny ability to make me feel at ease (and my family as well). Our photos came out even more beautiful than we can ever imagine, and we so grateful for Amanda to be a part of our day. My family (especially my husband) could not stop talking about how much we loved having Amanda–even days after our wedding. Thank you, Amanda!”
– Julia C.
