If you are reading this article, then I understand that you are interested in knowing what you can be expected to pay for a wedding photographer in Malta. Now before I delve in to the prices for 2024/2025 which you can expect to pay here in Malta, I have to first make you aware of a number of relevant points.
I have to start by saying that the photography market is not regulated. Anyone with a camera can decide to start working as a photographer. This is not ideal scenario, as the situation does not offer any protection for clients who are looking for a photographer without any knowledge on what to expect or the average photographic quality which is to be expected. I would say that any real photographer, and even more so a wedding photographer, has a myriad of costs which I would like to mention here below.
THE COST OF BEING A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER
1.Cloud storage and local storage
If you are serious photographer you certainly care about your images and in how they are stored. I cannot imagine losing any of my images and I do keep these indefinitely. Unfortunately storage space costs money and one has also to consider that one has to have redundant storage as a harddisk can easily fail! So I backup all my images on the cloud and also in a mirrored NAS for complete safety!
2. Backups of cameras and personnel
Unfortunately, not all consumer oriented cameras have a dual card system. This means that some cameras (which were not intended to be used for professional work and are cameras which are used by entry level photographers) do not save images on 2 different cards (which are located in 2 different card slots) at the same time. This may seem trivial, until one day one of the SD cards becomes corrupt and unless you have a dual SD card system, you have lost all of your images.
Through the years I have also learned how important it is to have a good collaboration feeling with different photographers who you can rely on, in time of need.
3. Experience
As you are aware anyone with a camera can call himself a photographer, but do you have an idea how many weddings I have experienced? Do not think that experience does not come at a cost. When I started years ago my prices were very low as I had to understand the flow of weddings, what to shoot and how to shoot each moment. This experience has now made me understand my real style, how to make the most amazing images in all different scenarios and moments and how to create a visual legacy for my couples.
4. Marketing / website
Even if I was the best photographer in the world no one would come to know about me if I did not have a website, a curated portfolio and did some outreach. So there are costs related to getting yourself known in the industry so that people can really come to find you.
5. Training / memberships
A true wedding photographer should always seek to explore new ideas, seek new locations and evolve. He needs to understand the trends, explore new techniques and measure himself against other photographers. Without a proper vision, it is useless to have the best equipment. This by itself takes time and passion - but is essential to be authentic and have longevity in this industry.
In my case, I have also had the opportunity to share my experience with other photographers both in Malta and abroad.
6. Updating of cameras and equipment
Part of the cost of being a great wedding photographer is also, although not the most important part, related to the keeping up with the equipment changes and updates! Apart from the updating of camera models and computer systems necessary for editing, one would also need to update other peripherals such as flashes and additional accessories (bags, cleaning kits and other consumables). One of the essential things I have to buy every year is a pair of elegant but super comfortable pair of shoes, that I can specifically and only use during weddings!
7. Cost of software
Unfortunately software costs money and so are the subscriptions which are necessary to keep up with being able to edit images!
General prices in 2024 / 2025 - The current state of the market
Now after that I have made the explanation above, I can now delve in providing a more specific price region. The prices vary greatly between different photographers and as I have noted, there are a number of reasons for this. If the wedding photographer has not appropriately considered some of the above points then he is exposing you to a risk higher then you should take but his price point maybe lower than what I am quoting in this article.
Through my market research, I can say that the coverage cost for a ‘decent’ wedding photographer of weddings occurring in 2024 - 2025 vary between 2000euros to 4000euros per wedding, depending on the number of hours of the coverage needed and the photographer you decide to utilise. Different wedding photographers will have different price points, depending on the value of their photography work and how much they are searched for and booked. These prices do not include additional printed material such as albums or wall art.
BE AWARE OF HIDDEN COSTS
You should also be aware that some photographers may want to hide some additional costs. These points are things you should definitely be on the look out for. In my case all these are included and there are no hidden fees, unless the timeline is extended by a considerable amount (that is more than 1 hour).
1. The cost of copyright
You should be aware that not all photographers in Malta will provide you with full copyright of the photos taken during your wedding to you. Some may watermark the images they give you with their own logo to show that they retain copyright or ask you to print them from their own shop. I will be giving you a full copy of the edited and even unedited photos for your own use and reference which you can print from who you want, without any further obligation.
2. Photographer overtime
One needs to make sure that the wedding photography costs are clearly inclusive of all time spent at your wedding day. No overtime costs, no additional assistant costs, no extra charges for what was agreed upon. So make sure that you have established a sufficient timeline with your photographer. If you have not read my blog post on how many hours you need for a typical wedding, take some time to read it as you will definitely find it useful.
3. The cost of laziness
Some photographers, mostly those that will do weddings without any real love and passion for it, but more on an industrial mass production level, will take your wedding moments lightly and lose your precious and unique moments. This is a hidden cost which is difficult to account for, but when you are a commissioning a decent wedding photographer, then you do not run this risk.