When couples begin planning their wedding, one of the first big investments they often research is photography—and with good reason. Your photos are what you’ll look back on for decades to come. But if you’ve ever looked at wedding photography pricing and thought, “Wait…why is this so expensive?” — you’re not alone.

Let’s break it down, not just by the numbers, but by the real value behind the price tag.

Time Spent on Your Wedding—Far Beyond Wedding Day Coverage

Wedding photography isn’t a one-day job. When you hire a photographer, you’re investing in far more than the hours they’ll spend with you on the wedding day itself. You’re also securing their time, energy, and creative space throughout your entire planning journey.

Experienced photographers limit how many weddings they take on each season so they can fully show up for each couple—not just on the wedding day, but for all the moments that lead up to it.

Addtionally, wedding collections often include more than just a day-of service. Engagement sessions, bridal sessions, rehearsal coverage, or full weekend events may be included, all of which require additional time, planning, and availability.

Here’s a closer look at the time investment behind the scenes:

Pre-wedding planning and communication with you and your vendor team
Location scouting and assistance with timeline building
Equipment prep and packing for both the expected and unexpected
Shooting your wedding day with full attention to detail, always arriving early and often staying late
Delivering a polished preview gallery with a quick turnaround
Post-production work—uploading, backing up, culling, and editing thousands of images
Curating and delivering a full gallery that tells your story
Album design and assisting with product orders

Experience, Skill & Calm Under Pressure

When you hire a seasoned wedding photographer, you’re getting more than technical skill—you’re getting someone who brings calm energy, confidence, and professionalism to every situation.

You can expect:

A deep understanding of how a wedding day naturally unfolds
The ability to pivot gracefully when timelines shift or weather changes
Someone who won’t keep you in portraits for hours—you’ll get what you need and still be present for your day
Confidence directing large groups while noticing subtle moments that might otherwise be missed
Trust that nothing important will be overlooked—and that you’ll never need to “manage” your photographer on the day
Access to a trusted network of professionals—including quality second photographers and trusted replacements if emergencies arise

This level of service comes from years of experience, consistent investment in relationships and education, and the ability to truly read the room—so you can stay in the moment and trust that your memories are covered.

The Cost of Doing Business

The price of wedding photography doesn’t just reflect time or talent—it also reflects the tools, software, and structure needed to consistently deliver high-end service.

Here’s a look at what’s happening behind the scenes to make it all feel effortless on your end:

Business Operations

Software like Lightroom, Photoshop, and client galleries
Cloud storage and external backups
Business licenses, liability insurance, project management tools
Website hosting, social media planning, email software

Client-Facing Tools

Zoom meetings, design software for albums, gallery hosting, PDF guides
Styling kits, umbrellas, wedding day emergency items

Gear & Equipment

Professional camera bodies, lenses, backups, lighting equipment, drones
Batteries, memory cards, laptops, and hard drives

Ongoing Development

Education (workshops, courses, mentorships, conferences)
Contracted support (second shooters, editors, virtual assistants, accountants)

Every image you receive is the result of this investment.

What You Actually Get When You Book Me

Booking me isn’t just about receiving a photo gallery—it’s about feeling taken care of.

A seamless, supportive experience from inquiry to final delivery
A curated collection of timeless, true-to-color images
Sneak peeks that don’t leave you waiting
Flexibility and support tailored to your specific needs and locations
Timeline planning support, vendor coordination, and backup plans
Someone who genuinely cares about you and your story

So, What Does It Cost?

Pricing can vary depending on hours of coverage, travel, and add-ons like engagement sessions or albums. But most full-day wedding photography packages in St. Louis fall between $5,000-$10,000+.

If you’re curious about my current pricing and packages, let’s chat! I’d love to hear about your day and help find the best coverage for you.