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How many hours of wedding photography do you need?
For a 150-guest wedding with a first look and two getting-ready locations, plan on 8 hours of coverage with a second shooter. Weddings of 50 guests or fewer are usually well covered in 4 to 6 hours. Around 100 guests, 6 to 8 hours reaches from getting ready through the first dances. Past 150 guests, or when the day spans three or more locations, book 10 hours with a second shooter. 150 guests is the point where a second photographer stops being optional.
Our recommendation
8 hours of coverage
With a second shooter.
What you'd miss with less coverage
Coverage questions, answered
How many hours of wedding photography do I need for 150 guests?
For a 150-guest wedding with a first look and two getting-ready locations, plan on 8 hours of coverage with a second shooter. Eight hours reaches from getting ready through the first hour or two of open dancing. 150 guests is also the point where a second shooter stops being optional, because one photographer cannot cover both partners getting ready or photograph your guests during cocktail hour while shooting family formals.
When do I need a second photographer at my wedding?
The industry threshold is around 150 guests. Above that, a single photographer physically cannot cover cocktail-hour guest photos and family formals at the same time. A second shooter is also worth it below 150 guests when both partners want getting-ready coverage in different places, or when the ceremony and reception are far apart.
Is 6 hours of wedding photography enough?
Six hours covers a wedding of about 100 guests in one or two locations: the end of getting ready, the ceremony, formals, and dinner through the first dances. What it usually cannot include is full getting-ready coverage, sunset portraits on a summer date, and the late reception. If those matter to you, 8 hours is the safer booking.
What does 8 hours of wedding photography typically include?
A typical 8-hour day runs from hair and makeup finishing touches to about an hour after open dancing begins: details, getting ready, a first look if you have one, the ceremony, family formals, couple portraits, reception entrances, toasts, first dances, and the start of the party. It fits most 100 to 150 guest weddings held in one or two locations.
We photograph a limited number of weddings each year, in Austin and wherever your day takes you. Collections begin at $8,000.
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