How to Define and Find a Luxury Wedding Photographer

A luxury wedding photographer isn't simply a professional that captures high-end, high-spend affairs. Rather, each shot they take has a certain sumptuousness to it. Luxury wedding photographers have the artistic touch to make sunlight look buttery, to relay the luxe sheen of a silk train or the subtle glimmer of candlelight reflected in a pearl earring. Their compositions sing: Big bashes unfold in cinematic slow motion, while intimate nuptials appear as evocative vignettes. Of course, these pros come at a higher cost than traditional wedding photographers, but for couples throwing a quiet-luxury wedding, holding their nuptials at a luxury wedding venue or simply for those who desire uniquely editorial wedding images, the splurge is worth it. Below, learn the cost of a luxury wedding photographer and how to find one that covers your desired wedding photography styles with advice from a top pro in the industry.

In this article: Definition | Cost | What to Look for | How to Find

What Is a Luxury Wedding Photographer?

A luxury wedding photographer is a professional that has a true mastery of photography as well as the tact and skill to capture high-quality imagery in the midst of a fast-paced, elaborate wedding celebration. These photo pros might provide a more in-depth, personalized client experience that stretches beyond the back and forth needed for a standard photo package. They also typically come with a team of trusted shooters to ensure they capture every facet of a luxury wedding and can display the narrative of the wedding weekend with artistry and accuracy.

"Clients hire luxury wedding photographers because they trust their unique perspective and level of artistry," says Jacqueline Benét, a luxury wedding photographer of over decade based in Seattle, Washington. "Luxury wedding photographers have a high-touch service that prepares them to be able to work collaboratively with the entire vendor team to serve their clients and deliver a high-quality product. Luxury wedding photographers look beyond simply taking a photograph, they strive to create a seamless experience for their clients."

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Luxury Wedding Photographer Cost

There are no universal luxury wedding photographer prices, though they'll always be much higher than the typical wedding photographer cost, which averages out at $2,900, according to The Knot 2023 Real Weddings Study. The number is higher not only to account for their exceptional skills and experience, but also to include travel, stay and coverage for second and third shooters on their team. The investment in a luxury wedding photographer also includes a more personalized experience (which takes additional time, communication and conceptualization) as aforementioned, so a luxury wedding photographer will likely take on a fewer number of weddings per year to provide this level of service. Some might also include video in their packages. Costs could begin from 20K and up.

The Knot Budget Advisor can help you estimate a wedding budget based on your location and also see what your final spend could be as it relates to which vendors you hope to book, so you can get an idea of how that compares to the cost of a luxury wedding and what percentage of your budget you should devote to a luxury wedding photographer.

What to Look for In a Luxury Wedding Photographer

All luxury wedding photographers have a distinct style, oodles of talent and unmatched professionalism. Though, do keep the below in mind to ensure you source the right photographer for your event.

Luxury Portfolio

"Anyone can use the word luxury when referring to their services, so it's important to examine full wedding galleries to understand the breadth and quality of photos you'll receive as well as the consistency delivered," says Benét. Take a look through your photographer's portfolio and specifically look for examples of the type of luxury wedding you're after, whether that's an intimate destination wedding week or a large-scale bash. "Luxury weddings are all about high-end experiences that are memorable and one-of-a-kind," the photographer says. "Luxury weddings have intentional and thoughtful details, designed to wow guests and keep them talking long after the event is over."

An Eye for Curation

Especially since so many luxury weddings span an entire week or weekend and consist of different events, it's important for a luxury photographer to have a knack for curating a narrative. During the editing process, a luxury wedding photographer should be able to expertly coax out the story of your celebration, selecting the most impactful shots out of what's likely a batch of thousands of images. "Curating is an important aspect to delivering images that read as luxury, it's not so much about every single moment as it is the intentional art of the moment, in images that will stand the test of time," says Benét. "They also may be providing higher-end albums to complete the experience."

Additional Team Members

"Luxury wedding photographers often have larger teams to accommodate the level of coverage needed," says Benét. "With more interest in multi-day events, luxury wedding photographers may also be offering a greater number of hours." Having a trusted team is essential for a luxury wedding photographer to capture an event with so many details and bespoke touches. Although they have the tact and skill to do so on their own, having two photographers or more will ensure nothing is missed.

Special Styles

"A luxury wedding photographer needs to master all areas of photography," says Benét. "In particular, there's currently an emphasis on fashion, high-end interior design and direct-flash photography. A luxury wedding photographer should also have an instinct for flattering angles and an eye for composition."

While luxury wedding photographers are masters of all styles, there are a couple of photography types that are popular and that feel aesthetically luxurious: A luxury documentary wedding photographer offers a more natural approach, where your shots will look candid and full of movement—like stills from a film. A luxury fine art wedding photographer, on the other hand, creates shots that feel more ethereal and artistic, where you may be posed in a composition that tells a story, that evokes a classic painting. Additionally, drone photography of your wedding venue is another popular hallmark of luxury wedding photographers, and might be something to consider if you plan to wed at one of the most expensive places to get married or otherwise. Add inquiries surrounding photography style to your list of questions to ask potential photographers.

How to Find a Luxury Wedding Photographer

Googling "luxury wedding photographers near me" won't always yield the best results. Ask your luxury wedding planner if they have any recommendations or peruse The Knot Vendor Marketplace. Select your location, then filter by "starting price" to see high-end options. Check the box for $5,000+.