Now that you’ve started your search for a documentary wedding photographer in the Toronto area, or anywhere in Ontario, you’ve probably noticed that hardly anyone puts a price on their website.
I’ve recently decided to change up my own pricing for 2027 events and put that front and centre on my site, as I’m sure you’ve already seen.
Here is what I charge, what is behind the number, and how I would think about it if I were in your shoes.
— What couples are paying
There is a wide range of course, just like any service.
Prices can vary, from a couple thousand, to high five figures — depending on several factors.
— What I charge
I essentially offer one package and one price: $5000. That covers the full wedding day and everything I need to deliver the photos.
The package includes:
Up to eight hours of coverage by me personally
Lots of candid moments, photographed as they happen
Some simple, relaxed portraits of the two of you
A few group portraits of friends and family
Some of my favourites sent to you the next day
A link a few weeks later with several hundred high-resolution, printable photos to view, share, and download
A retainer of $2000 holds your date, and the balance is due the week before the wedding.
Travel is extra when a wedding takes me beyond Toronto or requires an overnight stay.
If you are planning in Elora, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Muskoka, or anywhere else in Ontario, just let me know and I'll quote it clearly.
Smaller, more intimate weddings and multi-day events get their own quote, so ask rather than assume that my higher price point is the only one available.
— What you are actually paying for
It’s natural to look at one price and start questioning it. A wedding is a huge event, with a lot of moving pieces, and a fairly large cost associated with it, so making sure you hire the right person (most important) and that they fit in the budget is key.
Time on the day. Up to eight hours lets me be there for the quiet moments before things begin, the main events, and the party that follows.
Editing. Editing means choosing which images tell the story of your day. It takes time, judgment, and a clear sense of what matters.
Post-production. This is a separate creative step. It is where each photograph gets its finished look, so it goes from a raw capture to something ready to hang on a wall.
— Why one photographer matters to the price
When you book me, you get me. Not a team, and not whoever happens to be free that weekend.
The person you talk to on the first call is the person who is there when you are getting ready, when your dad sees you for the first time, and when the dance floor fills up.
That matters more than it sounds.
A candid, documentary style of photography depends on trust.
By the time the wedding arrives, we have spoken, you know how I work, and your family and friends have seen me quietly moving around the room.
People relax around someone they recognize, and relaxed people give you natural, photojournalistic photographs instead of stiff cringy images.
— A lesson from my own wedding
I got married right when I was starting my wedding photography business. We asked a friend to photograph our day, and I regret that decision still to this day. The irony was not lost on me: I was about to build a career on this, and I made the mistake of hiring “the friend with a camera” to save some money!
— Questions to ask yourself before you set a budget
How important are the photographs compared with everything else on the day?
How much coverage do I need, and for how long?
Do I want one person who knows the whole story, or a larger team of random people.
What would I regret not having ten years from now?
There isn't one right amount to spend. Just make the choice on purpose, ideally before the rest of the budget fills up.
— If you love a photographer but the price is a stretch
Ask directly. I know I can be flexible for some weddings, and many photographers will tell you what is realistic for a smaller event or a shorter timeline. Check the date, then get on a call. Notice how you feel. Do you feel comfortable, heard, and at ease? If the work moves you and the conversation is easy, that is a very good sign.
— Let's talk about your day
If you are planning a wedding in Toronto, Elora, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Muskoka, or elsewhere in Ontario and want to see if we're a fit, send me a message.
I check my email daily, and I'm happy to answer any questions, big or small.
