How Much Does Wedding Photography Cost in Michigan?
How Much Does Wedding Photography Cost in Michigan?
How Much Does Wedding Photography Cost in Michigan (And why it’s absolutely worth it)
If you’re planning a wedding in Michigan, chances are you’ve found my blog after just Googling “how much does wedding photography cost in Michigan?” and felt your jaw hit the ground after seeing it’s thousands of dollars.
Totally normal. Let’s talk about what you’re seeing—and why.
The Average Cost of a Wedding Photographer in Michigan
In 2025, the average cost of wedding photography in Michigan ranges from $3500 to $7500, depending on experience, coverage time, editing style, and what’s included in the photographer’s packages.
This pricing may seem insane, and you’re completely valid and normal for feeling that way. It’s the same sticker shock you get when you go into the car repair shop, and walk out with a bill that equates to thousands of dollars for a new transmission. Like one car part?! For real??? But then if you really get to think about how much value a vehicle brings to our lives – like the convenience factor, and how much time we save from traveling – it starts to make more and more sense.
So, let’s dive into the breakdown.
Why Are Wedding Photographers So Expensive?
This is one of the most common questions I hear as a Michigan wedding photographer—and honestly, it’s a good one! If you don’t question this huge of a purchase – that could also be concerning. I too like to know exactly what I’m paying for when I make big investments – just like those tires.
Photography might seem like it’s “just one day,” but here’s a peek at what you’re really paying for, because it’s honestly so much more than just a day.
1. Time & intention
For every wedding I shoot, I spend about 40–75 hours total.
That includes planning behind the scenes, meetings, location scouting, prepping gear, the engagement session, wedding day shooting, interviews with and prepping second shooters, driving to and from locations, culling (organizing) and editing hundreds of images, curating your final gallery, developing film and more – depending on the package.
And some may say – well it’s just time. But it’s important to remember that time is the most valuable thing we have in a life that is so fleeting.
2. Experience you can really trust
You’re not just hiring someone with a camera. You’re booking a calm, confident, and insured guide who knows exactly how to handle stressful situations or surprises. You are hiring someone who has done this professionally for many years (for me, it has been an official decade!)
You may find a photographer for $1500 that offers you the world, but that could also be a massive risk if they don’t know how to use flash or have no experience with guiding family photos.
3. Top-tier gear (and backups! Backups are MUST)
Wedding photographers bring thousands of dollars in professional gear to your day—plus backups of everything, just in case. We’re prepared for low-light receptions, fast-moving moments, and all the “just in case” scenarios. My camera gear is worth about 42k, including my camera equipment & lights, accessories, etc. (not including my computer & other basics in running a business)
I’ve had friends say, “wow, I thought cameras only cost like $500. I didn’t realize how expensive good gear was.” I get it. Before I became a photographer myself, I really thought the same.
And while backups are costly, they are completely necessary in keeping your images safe. Imagine this: you hire someone just starting out because they’re only charging $1500 – but then they show up on your wedding day & their camera malfunctions. Now what? If they don’t have a backup, it’s about to be “hey everyone, pull your phones out and start taking photos, please!” time. Or maybe that doesn’t happen, but instead they have a single shooting camera (this means it only allows you to put one memory card inside the camera at a time) and that card corrupts. Now what? This may seem rare – but it happens. I’ve had it happen about three times in my career. But luckily I was dual shooting, so my other memory card was solid!
4. Meticulous, long hours of editing
Each photo you receive is hand-edited with love and intention. It’s not just clicking a preset (filter)—it’s making sure every image reflects your day in the way it really played out.
5. Running an ethical, legit business
Behind the scenes, we’re paying for insurance, software, gear maintenance, editing tools, taxes, website hosting, and education—all so we can serve you well and run a sustainable business. For me this runs about $4800 a year. Worth every cent to make sure I’m running a legit business! To be completely transparent, I spend about 25-30k in expenses each year, when running through the numbers during tax season. Photography is just like any other business; it’s not cheap to run a business, but man it’s worth it.
Why it’s 100% worth every dime to hire a professional wedding photographer
Photography seems so simple for so much? But the reality is SO much goes into it behind the scenes, and it’s quite expensive to run a photography business if you’re doing it ethically and legally. But you honestly can’t put a set value on photography, because at the end of the day-when a memory has faded, photos are what we have left.
Photos hold memory. They tell your story. They are highly significant. And that’s something worth investing in. There is no value you can put on your memories and experiences.
Losing my mama back in 2017, I know the desperation and heartache of wishing I had professional photos done while she was still here. I would quite literally pay every cent out of my bank account now to have some high quality with her. But I think that’s what makes being in this field so special, because I can give others that experience & I know exactly how much it means to them.
If I feel like your vibe & you’re planning an intimate wedding day in Michigan – I’m your gal.
I’m based in Michigan and specialize in photographing adventurous, love-filled, micro weddings and elopements. If you’re looking for a full wedding day photography, I have some incredible and trusted recs I can send you. Just reach out!
Check more about my micro wedding experience here
Check out how to budget your Michigan wedding here
xo,
Chel
©Cheleana Rowan, with Cheleanamarie Photography, 2015-2025. Unauthorized use and or duplication of this material without express and written consent from Cheleana Rowan is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full clear credit is given to Cheleana Rowan with Cheleanamarie Photography with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
How Much Does Wedding Photography Cost in Michigan (And why it’s absolutely worth it)
If you’re planning a wedding in Michigan, chances are you’ve found my blog after just Googling “how much does wedding photography cost in Michigan?” and felt your jaw hit the ground after seeing it’s thousands of dollars.
Totally normal. Let’s talk about what you’re seeing—and why.
The Average Cost of a Wedding Photographer in Michigan
In 2025, the average cost of wedding photography in Michigan ranges from $3500 to $7500, depending on experience, coverage time, editing style, and what’s included in the photographer’s packages.
This pricing may seem insane, and you’re completely valid and normal for feeling that way. It’s the same sticker shock you get when you go into the car repair shop, and walk out with a bill that equates to thousands of dollars for a new transmission. Like one car part?! For real??? But then if you really get to think about how much value a vehicle brings to our lives – like the convenience factor, and how much time we save from traveling – it starts to make more and more sense.
So, let’s dive into the breakdown.
Why Are Wedding Photographers So Expensive?
This is one of the most common questions I hear as a Michigan wedding photographer—and honestly, it’s a good one! If you don’t question this huge of a purchase – that could also be concerning. I too like to know exactly what I’m paying for when I make big investments – just like those tires.
Photography might seem like it’s “just one day,” but here’s a peek at what you’re really paying for, because it’s honestly so much more than just a day.
1. Time & intention
For every wedding I shoot, I spend about 40–75 hours total.
That includes planning behind the scenes, meetings, location scouting, prepping gear, the engagement session, wedding day shooting, interviews with and prepping second shooters, driving to and from locations, culling (organizing) and editing hundreds of images, curating your final gallery, developing film and more – depending on the package.
And some may say – well it’s just time. But it’s important to remember that time is the most valuable thing we have in a life that is so fleeting.
2. Experience you can really trust
You’re not just hiring someone with a camera. You’re booking a calm, confident, and insured guide who knows exactly how to handle stressful situations or surprises. You are hiring someone who has done this professionally for many years (for me, it has been an official decade!)
You may find a photographer for $1500 that offers you the world, but that could also be a massive risk if they don’t know how to use flash or have no experience with guiding family photos.
3. Top-tier gear (and backups! Backups are MUST)
Wedding photographers bring thousands of dollars in professional gear to your day—plus backups of everything, just in case. We’re prepared for low-light receptions, fast-moving moments, and all the “just in case” scenarios. My camera gear is worth about 42k, including my camera equipment & lights, accessories, etc. (not including my computer & other basics in running a business)
I’ve had friends say, “wow, I thought cameras only cost like $500. I didn’t realize how expensive good gear was.” I get it. Before I became a photographer myself, I really thought the same.
And while backups are costly, they are completely necessary in keeping your images safe. Imagine this: you hire someone just starting out because they’re only charging $1500 – but then they show up on your wedding day & their camera malfunctions. Now what? If they don’t have a backup, it’s about to be “hey everyone, pull your phones out and start taking photos, please!” time. Or maybe that doesn’t happen, but instead they have a single shooting camera (this means it only allows you to put one memory card inside the camera at a time) and that card corrupts. Now what? This may seem rare – but it happens. I’ve had it happen about three times in my career. But luckily I was dual shooting, so my other memory card was solid!
4. Meticulous, long hours of editing
Each photo you receive is hand-edited with love and intention. It’s not just clicking a preset (filter)—it’s making sure every image reflects your day in the way it really played out.
5. Running an ethical, legit business
Behind the scenes, we’re paying for insurance, software, gear maintenance, editing tools, taxes, website hosting, and education—all so we can serve you well and run a sustainable business. For me this runs about $4800 a year. Worth every cent to make sure I’m running a legit business! To be completely transparent, I spend about 25-30k in expenses each year, when running through the numbers during tax season. Photography is just like any other business; it’s not cheap to run a business, but man it’s worth it.
Why it’s 100% worth every dime to hire a professional wedding photographer
Photography seems so simple for so much? But the reality is SO much goes into it behind the scenes, and it’s quite expensive to run a photography business if you’re doing it ethically and legally. But you honestly can’t put a set value on photography, because at the end of the day-when a memory has faded, photos are what we have left.
Photos hold memory. They tell your story. They are highly significant. And that’s something worth investing in. There is no value you can put on your memories and experiences.
Losing my mama back in 2017, I know the desperation and heartache of wishing I had professional photos done while she was still here. I would quite literally pay every cent out of my bank account now to have some high quality with her. But I think that’s what makes being in this field so special, because I can give others that experience & I know exactly how much it means to them.
If I feel like your vibe & you’re planning an intimate wedding day in Michigan – I’m your gal.
I’m based in Michigan and specialize in photographing adventurous, love-filled, micro weddings and elopements. If you’re looking for a full wedding day photography, I have some incredible and trusted recs I can send you. Just reach out!
Check more about my micro wedding experience here
Check out how to budget your Michigan wedding here
xo,
Chel
©Cheleana Rowan, with Cheleanamarie Photography, 2015-2025. Unauthorized use and or duplication of this material without express and written consent from Cheleana Rowan is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full clear credit is given to Cheleana Rowan with Cheleanamarie Photography with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
