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Your NYC wedding takes months to plan, but the big day only comes once. To hold onto your memories for years to come, you need the right NYC wedding photographer. However, looking for your New York City wedding photographer can be a bit daunting; New York City is a center for culture and commerce, and it’s home to some of the best photographers in the world. There’s so much talent, in fact, that it can make narrowing down your options for wedding photographers in New York City difficult.
Thankfully, our directory of wedding vendors, including top tier New York City wedding photographers, makes it so much easier. View pictures from real New York City weddings taken by some of the best local photographers and see whose style you like best. Looking at previous work is one of the best ways to get a sense of the various NYC wedding photographers’ style, and see which is the best fit.
We’ve also put together this complete guide with everything you need to know about New York City wedding photographers, including how to choose an NYC wedding photographer, breaking down NYC wedding photographer cost, picking among New York wedding photography packages, planning a wedding photography shot list, and more.
The best NYC wedding photographers offer a variety of styles, aesthetics and price points. New York has one of the highest employment rates for photographers in the country. Whether you want to focus your search on Brooklyn wedding photographers, Black wedding photographers in NYC, a top tier Manhattan wedding photographer, you’ll be able to find it all.
So, how do you find an NYC wedding photographer? Start by knowing where to look. A quick online search for an NYC wedding photographer is likely to be overwhelming, so it helps to have a more targeted approach. After all, a list of names of New York City wedding photographers on its own isn’t very helpful, but seeing real NYC wedding photography shows you samples of their past work.
Our wedding library has thousands of real pictures of New York City weddings, where you can get inspiration for first-look wedding ideas, see specific wedding shots and creative wedding photo ideas from real wedding photographers in NYC, and start to understand the different styles of photography that are out there. Once you find a style you love, you’ll be able to narrow your search and choose an NYC wedding photographer with no fuss.
The best way to choose a New York City wedding photographer is to look at their previous work. All wedding photographers in NYC have distinctive styles. Determining the best wedding photographers in New York is subjective. What you are really trying to do is find a wedding photographer in New York who shares your vision. Look at the lighting in their pictures. Consider the composition. Are the pictures dramatic? Is their NYC wedding photography more modern or traditional? Seeing photos such as the photographer's first look wedding ideas will give you a good idea of their individual style.
Although it would certainly be easier to plan NYC weddings based on style alone, being practical is key, and wedding photographers’ NYC prices will certainly be a factor. The good news is that you can find a spectacular wedding photographer in New York at just about every price point. New York wedding photographer prices may depend on the range of photos, the size of the wedding, the number of NYC photo shoot locations you travel to, and the length of the event. Always ask about wedding photography packages before choosing your New York City wedding photographer.
Next, you will want to see if the New York City wedding photographer will meet your needs. Can the NYC wedding photographer work in all New York wedding venues? How many wedding shots can you expect from a full day shoot? Do their standard hours allow time for bride and groom portraits as well as wedding family photos, pictures with your wedding party as well as candids from the reception? Some photographers are based in different parts of the city. Does it make more sense to specifically look for Brooklyn wedding photographers for a DUMBO location, or are there Manhattan wedding photographers you love who are happy to make the short trip? Or maybe it’s important to support BIPOC vendors whenever possible, so you’re particularly looking for black wedding photographers in NYC. It is best to think of all the parameters that are important to you before hiring a wedding photographer in NYC.
Word of mouth is another great way to find some of the best wedding photographers in New York. A lot of New York wedding photographers may have beautiful portfolios, but you want an NYC wedding photographer who can give you the best experience and whose personality you will fit with, so if your friends liked a photographer’s energy, that means a lot. Plus, talking to your friends will also give you insight into NYC wedding photographers’ prices.
Social media is another great resource: If you see a New York wedding photographer’s work on your Instagram feed that you particularly like, they’ll likely be tagged or credited in the caption, so you can send them a direct message or access their website through their profile.
Of all the factors to consider when searching for your NYC wedding photographer, the NYC wedding photographer cost is one of the most important. It’s important to narrow your search to NYC wedding photographers prices that fit into your budget. Fortunately, there are New York wedding photographer prices and packages for nearly every budget.
It is helpful to consider your NYC wedding photographer cost relative to your overall budget. The average wedding in New York costs approximately $77,000. Nationwide, the average wedding costs just over $20,000, so NYC weddings are significantly more expensive. New York City is a sought-after wedding location, and costs skew higher for all goods in New York City, which means that your NYC wedding will come at a premium. That said, most couples think the cost is worthwhile as the photos commemorate your special day.
The NYC wedding photographer is just one part of the cost of NYC weddings. Other factors include the wedding dress, tux, decor, wedding planner and more. Data shows that a NY wedding photographer will cost between $2,000 and $6,000, which is a decent chunk of the budget, ranking fourth behind the venue, the band and the engagement ring. For most couples, wedding photographers in New York City will represent about 10 percent of their wedding budget.
As you consider wedding photographers' prices, look carefully at what you are getting. Usually, a NY wedding photographer will have one of three cost structures: hourly, a day rate or a package.
Many New York City wedding photographers' pricing is based on an hourly fee, usually starting with a minimum number of hours. Make sure this timeframe is sufficient to cover your wedding photos list, including portraits and wedding family photos, as well as the ceremony and reception. If not, you will likely need to purchase more hours from your New York City wedding photographer at an additional cost. This option may make more sense for your budget if you’re having a shorter event.
Alternatively, with a day rate, photography services are provided for the full day of the event, which is typically a set six or eight-hour timeframe. Note that if your wedding goes long, they may have a stipulation in their contract for overtime.
The other price structure for an NYC wedding photographer is a package. A lot of the best wedding photographers in New York use packages to help couples control costs and organize their wedding shoots. The package will usually include a set number of hours for your wedding day as well as an engagement shoot (which can often be repurposed to the rehearsal dinner), as well as a set number of prints and/or a photo album.
Many couples look for New York wedding photography packages to streamline their planning. Most of the best NYC wedding photographers offer packages, but the details of each package will vary. As you look for a wedding photographer in NYC, carefully assess the value of each package and what your needs are for your big day.
Look at the various photoshoots offered in each package by the NYC wedding photographer. Here are some of the different events and offerings that may be included in wedding photo packages:
Some couples want to celebrate their engagement with a photoshoot. This engagement shoot is usually more casual, and it may be used to promote the wedding date. Some wedding photographers in New York City will bundle this shoot into the wedding package. Plus, it’s a great way to see how well you work with the potential NYC wedding photographer in advance of the wedding.
Many couples like to have this dinner spent with their closest friends and family photographed as well, and your New York City wedding photographer may even be open to swapping the engagement shoot portion of a photography package to be used at your rehearsal dinner instead.
If the couple does first-look photos, your individual and couple portraits can take place before the ceremony. Otherwise, you can do bride and groom portraits during cocktail hour if you decide not to see each other until the ceremony. This is a great time for the NYC wedding photographer to incorporate some unique wedding photos, too.
Of course, the ceremony is the quintessential moment for all New York wedding photographers. This wedding event should be included in every package.
After the ceremony comes the celebration, and your NYC wedding photographer should be on board for both. This is especially important if the ceremony and reception are in different New York City wedding venues.
One limitation of a wedding photo package is that you may not need all the parts. If that is the case, you should talk with the New York City wedding photographer about a custom package. Some wedding photographers in New York City will allow you to substitute parts of your package (like substituting the engagement for the rehearsal dinner.) Discuss the options with your NYC wedding photographer—packages are only a good deal if you are getting services you want and need.
You and any potential New York wedding photographers should always discuss your wedding photos list. The shot list should include any photos you deem necessary to commemorate your wedding. Make a list of the key moments and people you want included in your wedding photo packages. These preferences must be communicated to your New York City wedding photographer in advance so they know everything to expect on the day.
These discussions should happen as early as possible, and it helps to have your wedding venue in place as well. (Your wedding planner can also help coordinate your wedding shot list.) This also gives the New York City wedding photographer time to finalize the shot list, plan creative wedding photo ideas, coordinate additional shoot locations and more. And if you’re having an engagement photo shoot, plan to have a shot list for that as well.
Here are some of the basic items to include on your wedding shot list:
New York is one of the most vibrant cities in the world, and also one of the most photogenic. There are 37,000 official landmarks spread across the city—and countless more unofficial—giving you plenty of options for NYC wedding photography.
The locations you choose should be special to you as a couple. For example, if you both love the performing arts, you may consider Lincoln Center. If you went to Central Park on your first date, then talk to your New York City wedding photographer about returning there for your photos. This is why it’s especially important to choose your wedding photographer in NYC based on location; Brooklyn wedding photographers will know Brooklyn locations well, while Manhattan wedding photographers will know those in Manhattan better.
If most of your memorable moments have been downtown, then ask your Manhattan wedding photographer about photo shoot locations in those neighborhoods. If you are interested in specific cultural locations, look for photographers who have experience there. Also, be sure to talk to your NY wedding photographer about both indoor and outdoor NYC photo shoot locations. Indoor locations may require special permission, and lighting for outdoor shoots can be tricky.
Be sure to run your top locations by the New York City wedding photographer before you complete your wedding shot list. Here are some popular photo shoot locations to consider for NYC weddings:
There are few locations more iconic than The Plaza Hotel. Opened in 1907, this luxury hotel is still distinctive, and it is a popular spot for wedding photo shoots. It’s one your Manhattan wedding photographer will likely be quite familiar with.
Central Park stretches for 843 acres in the heart of the city. In addition to being a daily destination for locals and tourists alike, Central Park has many beautiful locations for your wedding day shoot.
A few spots within the park to consider:
For those who love the performing arts, Lincoln Center can’t be missed. In addition to hosting the New York Philharmonic, the Metropolitan Opera and the New York City Ballet, it can also host your wedding shoot.
New York City is home to some of the best museums in the world, many of them on “Museum Mile” on the Upper East Side. On this stretch alone, you can pose by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim, the Frick Collection and Cooper-Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum.
You do not have to be bookworms to appreciate the historical and cultural value of the New York Public Library. The iconic main branch was opened in 1911, and it is still a major draw for photographers and couples today.
There are plenty of skyscrapers in New York City, but few are as recognizable as 30 Rockefeller Plaza, located at Rockefeller Center. The grounds are vast, and it is popular for its Art Deco style. If you have a winter wedding, a shoot at the ice rink is also a festive idea.
This wide avenue cuts through the heart of Manhattan. Couples like to pose on the medians in the center of the traffic lanes for an utterly New York moment.
Grand Central Station is a classic landmark in the city, both for its symbolism and its architecture. There are several photo-worthy areas in the beautiful station, from the steps to the railings to the iconic clock in the center.
The geometric lines of the Brooklyn Bridge make an incredible backdrop for unique wedding photos, and because it’s open to pedestrians, you can capture your wedding memories there. And keep in mind the nearby Dumbo neighborhood in Brooklyn for photos with the Brooklyn Bridge in the background.
If you are ready to hire New York wedding photographers, keep in mind that the best Manhattan wedding photographers and other wedding photographers in New York City tend to book up quickly. Our directory of the best NYC wedding photographers will help you find your New York City wedding photographer and plan your NYC wedding. Happy wedding planning!
