Seattle wedding photographer prices can vary. But you already know that. The cost to hire a professional photographer for your wedding in Seattle is based on many factors. If you're like most couples, you have a set wedding budget, possibly with some wiggle room. You probably want to prioritize where you spend your money to get the most value considering you'll also need to budget for your venue, DJ, decor, catering and other vendors.

Couples say they're surprised that wedding photography prices fluctuate so much. After all, aren't photographers providing a very similar service? Yes and no. Many PNW wedding photographers are full-time professionals. Others consider it a side hustle or hobby, a way to earn extra income.

Prices will typically be higher for full-time photographers who rely on weddings to earn a living. This is a good thing. A full-time professional takes your wedding seriously. They have to. Their business, reputation and livelihood are on the line. They pay taxes. They have insurance. They follow the law. A hobbyist may take pretty pictures. And they may be great, but they also may not be.

Wedding photographer prices reflect local costs of living within the larger Puget Sound region. You might find value by hiring a photographer who lives and works primarily in a local region that's less expensive. For instance, the average cost to live in Bellingham is less than in Kirkland.  Couples often say that wedding photographer prices on the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas, and the Olympia area, tend to be lower than the Seattle-Bellevue-Kirkland area.

Picking a top wedding photographer is sort of like buying a car. Why? You can find photographers with a wide range of prices, styles, quality and reliability. Same with cars. There's a big difference between a Jaguar and a Kia, a Toyota and a Ferrari. There's an even bigger gap in quality and reliability between a new Volvo and a $500 clunker you bought from Craigslist. Even with all the differences, most cars still perform the same function. They transport you from place to place. The same principle applies when evaluating the prices of Seattle wedding photographers. Most photographers can take pictures, just like most cars can transport you. But that's where the similarity ends.  If you were embarking on the most important road trip of your life, would you buy the 25-year-old rusty used car with 264,280 miles from the stranger who posted an online classified ad? Probably not. The car might break down. It might be awfully uncomfortable, noisy and dirty. It might be unsafe. The steering wheel might snap off in the middle of your adventure. Sure, you'd save a bunch of money, but you might not make it to your destination.

Seattle wedding photographer prices reflect their quality, reliability and experience. Couples  sometimes overlook the importance of reliability. You can trust seasoned wedding photographers with great reviews. They'll show up. Their cameras work. They'll deliver your images in a timely fashion. That's how we earn a living - capturing memories for couples on the most important day of their lives. At Sound Originals, wedding photography makes up the bulk of our income. It goes without saying that trust is everything. Trust is worth every penny!