Image: Wedding ceremony photography
The wedding photography economics
| Tier | Price per wedding | Annual income (20-30 weddings) |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | $1,200-2,200 | $24,000-44,000 |
| Mid-market | $2,500-4,500 | $50,000-90,000 |
| Premium | $4,500-8,000 | $90,000-160,000 |
| Luxury | $8,000-25,000+ | $160,000-500,000+ (with second shooters/team) |
Wedding photography looks profitable per-event but the time investment is brutal: 8-12 hour shoot day + 20-40 hours of editing + 5-10 hours of client communication + 3-5 hours of album design = 35-65 hours per wedding. At $2,500 entry-tier pricing, that's $40-70/hour. The real money is in pricing premium and adding revenue lines (engagement sessions, albums, prints).
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