This is the question I get asked the most, so I'm going to be straight with you. I'll walk you through what I charge, what actually changes the price and how to compare photographers so you're not just looking at one number on a page.
What I Charge
Here are my real starting prices, no "contact me for pricing" games:
Full wedding collections start at $6,900. That's 8 hours of coverage with two photographers, me plus a second shooter.
Micro weddings start at $3,995. These are for intimate celebrations, around 10 to 50 guests.
Courthouse elopements start at $2,000 for 90 minutes. You can read more on my courthouse elopements page.
Engagement sessions are $1,000 per hour, or $750 per hour when you book one with your wedding. I shoot them Tuesday through Thursday.
You can see every collection on my weddings page. And if none of them fit exactly, tell me. I put together custom quotes all the time.
Why Prices Vary So Much
When you start looking around, you'll see a huge range. The Knot's Real Weddings Study puts the national average for a wedding photographer at around $3,000. That's an average across the whole country, and the right number for your wedding depends on what you need.
A few things move the number up or down.
Hours of coverage
This is the big one. A 3-hour ceremony-and-portraits day and a 10-hour day from getting ready to the last dance are two very different jobs. Most of the price difference you'll see between photographers comes down to how many hours they're there.
A second photographer
With two of us, we can be in two places at once. One of us is with you while you get ready, the other is with your partner. During the ceremony we get both of your faces, not just the back of someone's head. My full collections include a second shooter. Micro weddings are just me, with a second shooter available if you want one.
Film
I shoot film at weddings, and my top collection includes 35mm film. It's a different look, and it takes extra time to shoot, develop and scan. I wrote a whole guide on why I love adding film to a wedding day.
Travel
I'm based in Miami, and weddings outside the Miami and Broward area usually have a travel fee. That covers gas, tolls, hotel and food. I've photographed weddings in New York, New Jersey, DC, Colombia and all over Florida, and I always tell you the exact travel fee before you sign anything.
What You're Actually Paying For
The hours on your wedding day are only part of it. Here's what goes into a wedding on my end:
Planning help. Every collection includes help building your timeline. About a month out we do a final call to go over the timeline and your family photo list.
The editing. This is where most of my hours go. I edit every gallery myself, and I don't cap the number of photos. If a photo is a memory worth keeping, it's in your gallery.
Sneak peeks. You'll usually get sneak peeks within about a week, and I post some on Instagram too.
Your full gallery. Contractually it's delivered within 90 days, and it's a downloadable online gallery you can share with family and print from.
When you compare quotes, ask every photographer what's included in these areas. Two packages with the same hours can be very different once you look at the editing, the turnaround and whether there's a second shooter.
If You're Working With a Smaller Budget
I get it. Weddings are expensive, and photography is one piece of a big puzzle. A smaller budget doesn't mean you can't have great photos. It just means we get smart about the hours.
For smaller budgets I can do around 3 to 4 hours of coverage on my own. That's enough to cover the ceremony, family photos, your portraits and the start of the reception. If you're planning something more intimate, my micro wedding collection starts at $3,995, and a courthouse elopement is a great option if it's just the two of you and a few people you love.
The one thing I'd tell you not to cut is portrait time. Even on a short day, leave room in the timeline for the two of you. That's where the photos you'll frame come from. More on that in my guide to how much coverage you really need.
What About Video?
I don't do video myself. If you want a videographer, I love working with Alex Martinez Films, and I'm happy to recommend a few options based on your budget. You can see Alex's work alongside mine at Pat & Tori's Biltmore Hotel wedding.
How Booking Works
Once you've found the right fit, here's how it goes with me:
Send me your date. I'll check availability and send over the details. If you need a few days to decide, I can hold your date for about a week.
Hop on a call. I want to hear about you two and what you have in mind.
Sign and book. A 50% retainer locks in your date, and the rest is due 30 days before the wedding.
If you already have your date and venue, reach out early so I can check my availability.
A Few Real Weddings to Look At
Pricing makes more sense when you can see the work. Here are a few full wedding days:
FAQ
How much is a wedding photographer in Miami?
It depends on hours and what's included. My full wedding collections start at $6,900 for 8 hours with two photographers, micro weddings start at $3,995 and courthouse elopements start at $2,000.
Do I really need 8 hours?
Not always. For a full wedding with getting ready, a ceremony, portraits and a reception, 8 hours usually covers it. For a smaller day, 3 to 4 hours can work. I'll help you figure it out based on your timeline.
Is there a travel fee?
Weddings outside the Miami and Broward area usually have one. I'll give you the exact amount before you sign.
How long until we get our photos?
Sneak peeks usually come within about a week. Your full gallery is delivered within 90 days. You can read more on my FAQ page.
Let's Talk
If you've got your date and a rough idea of what you want, send me a note. Tell me about your venue, your guest count and what matters most to you, and I'll send over options that make sense for your day. Reach out here. I'd love to hear from you.