Real Numbers, Real Gear, Real Hours and Why Cheaper Isn’t Always Better

You’re newly engaged. You’re pumped. You start looking at vendors and getting quotes… and then comes the sticker shock.
“Wait. Almost ten thousand dollars? Just for wedding photo and video?”

We get it. It’s a big investment. And as full-time wedding photographers and videographers based in Colorado, we hear this question a lot. We’re also planning our own wedding for 2026, so we understand the budget talk from both sides.

So, let’s break it down. You deserve to know exactly what you’re paying for, why professional wedding photography and videography costs what it does, and why cheaper isn’t necessarily better.

You’re Not Just Paying for One Day

When couples hire us, they’re not just booking us for 8 hours on the wedding day. The full experience includes prep, planning, the big day, and weeks of editing afterward. Here’s what that actually looks like:

Before the Wedding (10–15 hours)

• Consultations, emails, contracts, and timelines
• Coordinating with your planner and other vendors
• Location scouting, gear prep, and shot planning

Wedding Day Coverage (10–14 hours)

• On-site early for setup, even if coverage is booked for less
• Capturing every key moment: getting ready, ceremony, reception
• Working seamlessly as a photo and video team

After the Wedding (40–60+ hours)

• Culling through 4,000–6,000 images
• Editing hundreds of photos in Lightroom and Photoshop
• Editing multi-camera video footage
• Mixing audio from vows, speeches, and ambient sound
• Color grading, sound design, exporting, backing up
• Creating sneak peeks, highlight reels, and full galleries

🕐 Total time investment: 60–90+ hours per wedding
💰 At $7,000, that’s about $78–116/hour — or $39–58/hour per person for two creatives.
And no, we don’t pocket all that. Most of it goes right back into what it takes to do this professionally.

What Wedding Photo & Video Actually Requires

We don’t just show up with a camera and a dream. Here’s what’s behind the scenes of your wedding coverage.

Cameras and Lenses

• 4 professional camera bodies (We always have backups!)
• 5–6 professional lenses (High quality)
• ND filters and specialty art filters for creative flexibility

Lighting and Audio

• Studio strobes and flashes for clean, flattering light
• On-camera and wireless audio for vows and toasts
• Backup lights and mics in case anything fails

Storage and Backup Systems

• Dozens of high-speed SD cards (256–512GB)
• Multiple External hard drives (for multiple copies)
• Archive Fireproof storage (keeping your memories safe!)
• Cloud backups via Dropbox, Google Cloud, and Pixieset

Subscriptions and Software

• Adobe Lightroom & Photoshop
• Video editing software
• Software for contracts and invoices
• CRM for client experience and communication
• Zoom Premium for pre-wedding meetings

Computers and Editing Equipment

• Laptops
• External monitors and calibrated screens for editing

🎒 All of that gear adds up to over $30,000 in tools and tech — and we’re always investing in better ways to serve you.

Why Cheaper Isn’t Always Better

We’re not here to bash other creatives. But there’s a difference between a friend with a camera and a fully prepared team.

Hiring someone for $1,500 might mean:

• No dual card slots → lost photos
• No backup gear → missed moments if something fails
• No microphones → no vows, no speeches
• No insurance → you’re out of luck if things go wrong
• No editing experience → distorted colors, off skin tones, missing moments, weird pacing

A cheap photographer or videographer is a gamble. And when it comes to your wedding day — a once-in-a-lifetime event — that’s not a risk worth taking.

Why It Actually Matters

When the music stops, the florals fade, and the cake is gone, your photos and films are what you’ll have left. This isn’t just about pretty pictures. It’s about preserving how your day felt.

• The tears in your eyes when you said your vows
• The laughter during the speeches
• The way your partner looked at you walking down the aisle
• Your grandparents dancing like they’re 25 again

You’re not just investing in images. You’re investing in your legacy.

So, What Are You Really Paying For?

• 60–90 hours of dedicated time
• $30k+ in equipment, subscriptions, and backups
• Years of experience and an eye for what matters
• A team that plans, preps, and always has your back
• A full wedding experience that’s built around you

We’re not the cheapest. And we’re not trying to be.
But we’re the team couples trust when it matters most.

Curious about our photo and video collections?

Get in touch to see if we’re available for your date!