The Real Value Behind Luxury Wedding Photography and Videography
Recently, we received an enquiry for both photography and videography at one of our most iconic venues, Ashridge House. The enquirer had a budget of £900—a figure that truly stopped us in our tracks. While we understand that many people may not be familiar with the costs and work involved in creating luxury wedding photography and films, this highlights an important topic that deserves some clarity.
What Goes Into Our Work
A wedding day for us isn’t just about showing up with a camera. For a team of four, like ours, the day involves a significant amount of time and effort both before, during, and after the event. Here’s a breakdown:
On the Day: For a full day’s coverage, our team will collectively shoot for around 40 hours. That includes capturing every precious moment, from getting ready to the first dance. We are always on site for at least another hour either side to set up all the kit and get prepared for the hectic day ahead.
Post-Production: Once the day is over, the real work begins. Each side of the business—photography and videography—requires a full 5 working days (40 hours each) in post-production for our Art Collection. That’s editing thousands of images, carefully curating your gallery, and crafting a cinematic film that tells the story of your day beautifully. Our Luxury Collection with Audio and a Wedding Album costs more due to the additional hours of time required.
Planning and Guidance: In the weeks and months leading up to your wedding, we spend significant time with our clients acting almost as wedding planners. With years of experience watching weddings play out, we are uniquely positioned to give honest advice on timings and how they will impact the flow of the day as well as the experience of both the couple and their guests.
In total, we’re looking at over 120 hours of skilled work for a single wedding.
The Costs Behind the Craft
Beyond the time commitment, there are numerous costs involved in running a professional wedding photography and videography business:
High-End Equipment: Cameras, lenses, lighting, drones, audio, rigs and stands —the tools of our trade cost thousands of pounds in investment – just one of our many lenses averages at £2000.
Software: Professional editing software for both photo and video requires ongoing subscriptions and training to use effectively.
Insurance: We carry kit insurance, public liability insurance, and indemnity insurance to protect both you and us.
Business Overheads: From marketing to travel, massive data storage, website upkeep to ongoing professional development, there are countless behind-the-scenes costs that ensure we can deliver the high standard you expect.
Why Experience Matters
Our job is highly skilled and takes years to master. It’s not just about technical proficiency—though that alone is a steep learning curve—but also about creativity, storytelling, and being able to adapt to the fast-paced, emotional environment of a wedding day. Luxury wedding photography and videography is an art as much as it is a craft.
A Different Perspective
We know £900 may sound like a reasonable number to some, but when broken down against the time and skill involved, it simply isn’t sustainable. It’s equivalent to just £7.50 per hour for a team of four—far less than minimum wage—before even accounting for our business costs. That’s why luxury services come at a higher price: they reflect the value of the work, expertise, and dedication that goes into creating something truly exceptional.
Two Things You May Not Have Considered
Imagery and Video Are All That Remains: After the wedding is over, the flowers will be gone, the cake will be eaten, and the dress will be stored away. The imagery and video we create are what remain—the lasting memories you will treasure and pass down for generations.
A Unique Trust: We are the only supplier on your wedding day whose work you won’t see until after the event is over. This requires a HUGE amount of trust, especially in a totally unregulated industry with very few barriers to entry. Many photographers use the line “award-winning” to market themselves, but the majority of these awards carry very little credibility. This is why we are so proud to be Ambassadors to Sony (and previously Nikon). If they can trust us, we hope you can too.
Education Is Key
We only share this to help educate and provide transparency around what goes into the work we do. Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, and our mission is to ensure it’s captured in a way that does it justice—beautifully, artistically, and timelessly.
We hope this sheds some light on why luxury wedding photography and videography costs what it does. If you have any questions or want to know more about our process, we’d love to chat.
