Weddings can fly by, leaving you with a whirlwind of beautiful, but fuzzy, memories. That's where a wedding photographer steps in - your memory's new best friend. They capture those fleeting moments and transform them into stunning keepsakes.
This is especially true in Italy, where the scenery does half the work. Whether it’s the rolling hills of Tuscany, the glimmering waters of Lake Como, the breathtaking Amalfi Coast or the historic charm of Rome, Italy offers a picture-perfect backdrop for any wedding.
Having said that, not all photos are born equal, however awe-some the backdrop. The person behind the camera makes all the difference. It is no surprise then that photographers are consistently one of the most hired professional vendors by couples on their wedding planning journey.
What impacts the cost of a photographer?
The decisions you’ve already made
Italy’s combination of breathtaking landscapes, mild weather and world-class cuisine makes it an irresistible choice for couples. With its rich cultural heritage, you’ll find incredible venues in a diverse set of picturesque locations. Obviously, for the same reasons, this mountainous and coastal paradise is a tourist haven too. So if you’ve opted for popular locations like Venice during the summer, be prepared for higher photographer costs overall.
Your Wedding Location
No matter which corner of Italy you fell in love with, each location brings its own practicalities, affecting your decisions and ultimately the cost of your wedding photographer. For example, selecting a venue just outside of Florence offers easy logistics for both your guests and your photographer.
Similarly, destinations like the Cinque Terre, with convenient train connections, are more accessible than more secluded spots like the countryside of Puglia. These remote locations, though stunning, often come with higher travel costs for your photographer, driving up their rate. A decent amount of driving is almost inevitable. Italy strategically positions and limits the expansion of airports in its most scenic regions. For example, for a wedding in Tuscany, the primary airports will be those of Pisa and Florence. Both sit at the edge of the region’s stunning countryside, ensuring it remains unspoiled.
As for your photographer’s per diem, that’ll vary depending on how touristy your location is. While you can always find reasonably priced food (hello, pizza!), accommodation costs can swing wildly. Popular destinations like Venice, Florence, or the Amalfi Coast can easily cost 75% more than quieter, yet equally charming, locations like Puglia, Umbria or the Marche region.
Your wedding date
There are countless reasons to get married in Italy, and the reliable weather is certainly high on the list. It’s no wonder that many couples choose the summer months for their celebrations. But as any savvy traveller knows, summer is also peak season, meaning demand, and prices, go through the roof. The same applies to wedding photographers.
Having said that, maybe you’re the snuggly type and your date isn’t set in stone just yet. If so, you could choose the unique allure of a winter wedding in Italy. Imagine a historic Tuscan castle turned into a warm, romantic retreat, with grand halls lit by roaring fires and intimate spaces glowing with candlelight. You could also go all-in on the winter theme with the snow-covered Dolomites or the misty, serene views of Lake Como and add an extra sense of grandeur.
Italian winter weddings are growing in popularity, so you’d be in good company. And yet, you can still expect to save 15-20% on the cost of a photographer and other vendors. With fewer weddings taking place in the colder months, you’re also more likely to secure your top choices for your preferred date.
From this point on, it should be comforting to know that you’ve got plenty of levers left to adjust to suit your budget. Like most things in life, it’s all about balancing the must-haves with the nice-to-haves. The good news? You’re in the driver’s seat—it’s all up to you.
The choice of a local vs an international photographer
Italy's popularity as a wedding destination means it boasts a well-established industry. To the point that many vendors specialise in destination weddings. So, finding the perfect local photographer should be entirely doable.
On the flip side, a local photographer could be a more budget-friendly choice. Plus, they’re likely familiar with your venue, cutting down on pre-planning time. They may also have worked with your other vendors before, which usually makes for a smoother, more coordinated experience.
How much coverage
If it’s a destination wedding you're planning, or a "wedding holiday", you might want to stretch the celebrations over a few days. The big question then is, how much of those festivities do you want photographed. Is it just about the first kiss and the dance floor? Or do you also want snaps of the wine tasting, where things get progressively competitive over who can spot the cherry notes?
If it’s just the wedding ceremony and reception that matter to you, you can play with the number of hours you book your photographer for. Most photographers have a minimum hourly requirement, so be sure to ask. Keeping in mind that you might want to start the proceedings later in the day to dodge the Italian heat. As such your photographer will need to capture shots in both daylight and evening lighting. This requires multiple cameras and lenses, all of which factor into the cost.
Sometimes, the already impressive basic tool kit of a professional photographer just isn’t enough. To add that creative flair, special equipment might be needed. For instance, it could be that nothing describes your commitment to one another better than a walk in between hilly vineyards. If so, the regions of Tuscany and Piedmont would be ideal choices. But you probably wouldn’t do your romantic stroll justice without capturing it with a drone, which is likely to cost you extra. Not just for the drone itself, but also for any permits that are sometimes necessary to use such devices.
Or it could be that you’ll want to capture the pre-wedding beach party on the Amalfi coast. For that, your photographer will certainly bring waterproof cameras and housings. Alternatively, you’re perhaps envisioning artsy shots with 360-degree cameras or fish-eye lenses. Or as part of your vision, the party just wouldn’t be complete without entertaining your guests with instant photo booths, on-site printing or even slow-motion video booths.
All such unique elements, while adding a distinctive touch to the wedding memories, do all come at a price.
The memories you want
However you envision your wedding memories, one major factor influencing your photographer’s final price is the number of professionally edited images you want.
Typically, these edited photos are delivered via online albums, galleries, or a custom USB stick. Many couples also choose to invest in physical wedding albums, which are beautifully crafted with top-quality materials. Extras like additional albums for family, thank-you cards featuring your wedding photos, and framed prints would also add to the cost.
Some couples request access to all the raw photos. This could be to spread out the editing costs or simply because they have a friend who’s a Photoshop whizz. While this can help ease the wedding budget, be aware that accessing raw files usually comes with an extra charge due to the sheer volume of data and the need for additional storage. Remember, photographers can easily capture thousands of images during a wedding.
Another cost-saving option is photo films: a slideshow of the best photos set to music. While they don’t replace a full videographer, they’re a great alternative for capturing the essence of your day.
How to find your perfect photographer for a wedding in Italy
There are many different styles couples can choose from to capture their wedding day. Traditional wedding photography offers classic, posed shots that document key moments beautifully, while photojournalistic or documentary photography captures candid, unposed moments as the day unfolds. For those of you who have a penchant for the artistic touch, fine art photography uses unique angles and dramatic compositions. And if it simply must all be glamorous, then editorial or fashion photography might be your best option.
To figure out which style resonates with you and your partner, start by browsing Instagram and Pinterest. Magazines and blogs are another good option. Some will cover the stories of real weddings, often showcasing a selection of photographers’ work and mentioning their name in the list of employed vendors. Popular ones include BAZAAR, Brides and Love My Dress to name a few. For a focus on Italy, spend some time on Whimsical Wonderland Weddings, Style Me Pretty and Sposi Magazine (you might need a translation tool for that last one unless your Italian is “abbastanza buono”!).
As you explore, you’ll naturally find photographers whose work speaks to you, and you’ll be able to dive deeper into their portfolios and photography styles on their websites.
Define your budget
Across the web, you’ll find the consensus to be that a wedding photographer should be around 10% of your total wedding costs. But that’s pretty vague. How much you spend really depends on your priorities and what you can get for your money. And unless you’re in the industry or have some married friends to offer insights, figuring that out can be tricky.
Photographers rarely list their prices online. And while the more sophisticated ones do write about what you can expect to spend, one of the best ways to gauge costs is through marketplaces. There you’ll typically find “starting from” prices, which is fair enough as photographers cannot anticipate each clients’ requirements and price that upfront. Unfortunately, each photographer sets their “starting from” price by defining a different minimum package of what is included in their services.
To get an overall sense, you could hunt for online marketplaces that aggregate the prices of photographers in Italy, gather a bunch of data points and whip up a spreadsheet. But if you’re thinking “who’s got time for that!?”, simply scroll down - we’ve done the legwork for you.
Where to look for photographers
Now that you know what you’re looking for and you have a good sense of how much of your budget you should put aside for it, it’s time to actually look for your photographer. Chances are, your social media and blog research has surfaced a few potential candidates. But if you want to expand your list of options, check out marketplaces like Matrimonio, MyWed, WPJA and Fearless Photographers. There you’ll find both international photographers who cover Italy as well as local talent.
Of course, personal recommendations are golden. If you know someone with similar taste who’s been through this process, their suggestions could be spot on. Alternatively, consider working with a wedding planner. Their expertise can guide you to photographers who have experience at your chosen venue. Many venues also offer a list of recommended vendors, which can help streamline your search even further.
The cost of a photographer in 2024 for a wedding in Italy
Key Takeaways
Choosing the right photographer for your dream wedding can feel like finding a needle in a haystack, especially when juggling your dreams and your budget. As you narrow in on a few candidates to choose from, it’s best to get detailed proposals and contracts. This way, you can compare your options without any surprise costs lurking in the shadows.
Much like with any other vendor you may hire, it's crucial to know where you stand at all times to avoid any unnecessary stress. Keep track of all your expenses and make sure they’re always up to date. This might sound like a painful chore, but don't fret - Bemazi is here to help. It’s a free AI-powered tool designed to stay on top of your wedding finances with ease. It does the heavy lifting so you don’t have to.
Give it a try, your future self will be forever grateful.
