Frequently Asked Questions


What should I look for in a Professional?

In this day and age anyone with a cheap camera and a social media profile can add ‘Photographer’ to their name and call themselves a ‘Professional’. But, how can you, the buying public be sure they are a professional? Viewing pretty photographs on a Facebook or other social media site, only tells you part of the story. To assist you, we have created this list of frequently asked questions to help you know what to expect when choosing a photographer you can be confident in.

**Disclaimer: Rates and fees in this FAQ are based on our survey results and are for informational purposes only.  There may be photographers charging more or less than stated.


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Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Why does a photographer charge what they do for an 8x10 when I can just print it locally for $2?

Would you expect to pay for just the canvas and paint for a Picasso?  You are investing in finished art the photographer’s skill, vision, creativity, and expertise.  You are also paying for superior paper and print quality.  Photography is their business so selling you prints for $2 does not take into account all the business costs that go into it (overhead, computer, car, studio, education, insurance and so on). They need to make a profit to have a successful business.

What questions should I ask when looking for a wedding photographer?

Are you insured with at least 2 million dollars of liability?
Do you have a back up plan if you get sick?
Do you bring at least two sets of equipment with you in case of failure?
Do you have a legal contract I can view?
Will YOU be the person photographing my wedding?
What is your turnaround time for my wedding images?
What do your packages include?
Are you an Accredited Wedding Photographer?
How long have you been a Wedding Photographer?
What are your payment options?
Ask if you can have an in-person meeting to see if they are the right fit for your big day.
Do you have testimonials/ reviews/ references?
Will you provide the digital files or an album?

What can I expect to pay for a portrait session?

They average family portrait session fees usually range between $100 and $300** not including products (albums/ prints/ files).

What can I expect to pay for Professional Wedding services?

From our latest Benchmark survey, a sampling of industry trends from all Canadian photography markets, wedding photography typically costs between **$1000 and $5000 .  Of course, there are some who charge less, and others may charge more.  Typically, you will obtain a much more experienced and skilled photographer at the higher end.

How much should I expect to spend on portraits?

Our survey results show anywhere from $200 to over $3000 (not including the portrait session fee).  The average falls into the $700 to $1000 range.