PROFESSIONAL OR AMATEUR?
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT PHOTOGRAPHER!
Finding the perfect wedding photographer can be a daunting task. With so much information and so many opinions about what makes a good photographer, it can quickly feel overwhelming. Hopefully, this guide will help you find someone who suits your needs, your budget, and your vision for your wedding day! Let’s assume, for now, that you’re starting completely from scratch. You know you’d like beautiful photos from your day, but you have no idea what it costs or how the process works. After all, most people don’t get married very often! Just a quick note: the advice and tips I’m sharing here are based solely on my own experience. You might come across others who disagree with me—and that’s perfectly fine! Weddings are my livelihood, and the following advice is just what I’ve learned along the way.
Let me try to explain it like this: finding a photographer is a bit like shopping for a car. Most people can relate to that analogy. Photographers, like cars, come in all price ranges, skill levels, and packages. Some people choose a car with excellent fuel efficiency but without much emphasis on comfort, because they primarily drive short distances. Others opt for a car that prioritizes luxury and comfort because they spend a lot of time behind the wheel.
I think the best place to start is by discussing what’s truly important to you. Ideally, your choice of photographer should be based on your unique needs, and these can vary widely. There’s no need to stretch your budget on things that won’t matter to you in the future. Take your time, think about your priorities, and choose someone who aligns with your vision for your special day.

FIND THE RIGHT ONE
PHOTOGRAPHER
HOW LONG DO YOU WANT COVERAGE FOR?
Most people want the photographer to arrive at the ceremony. Some, however, also want the bride’s preparations included. This is usually the case for those who place a high priority on photography. Many photographers offer packages that cover different parts of the day, such as the ceremony + portraits, the ceremony through to the dinner, or the ceremony all the way to the first dance. The latter is typically referred to as a “full-day package.”
If you feel that photos and memories are a significant part of your wedding day, I would definitely recommend considering a full-day package. On the other hand, if the most important moments for you are the ceremony and portraits, you should choose that package. You can always upgrade later if your budget allows it.

BUDGET
When looking for a photographer for your wedding, one of the first steps is to determine the type and extent of coverage you want, as this has a significant impact on the budget. Are we talking just a couple of hours, or are you considering full-day coverage? Photographers’ prices can vary widely due to several factors: the number of hours, experience, style, supply and demand, and more. For some photographers, the price might only cover the photography itself, while the photos must be purchased separately afterward.
When setting a budget for your wedding, including photography, it’s important to allow some flexibility. You might come across a photographer you absolutely love, but they may be a bit over your initial budget. On the other hand, you might also be pleasantly surprised and find someone whose pricing is lower than expected.
To give you some rough numbers, it may make the most sense to look at this from the perspective of full-day coverage. For a professional photographer, you’re looking at prices ranging from approximately 15,000 to 25,000 DKK. Some may charge a bit more, while others might be slightly less. For half-day coverage, such as from the ceremony until the dinner begins, the cost typically ranges between 8,000 and 15,000 DKK for a professional.
Of course, this doesn’t mean you can’t find cheaper options. However, if you’re working with a professional who has extensive experience with weddings and operates as a legitimate business (paying taxes and VAT), this is the general price range you can expect.

AMATEUR VERSUS PROFESSIONAL?
Let’s address this right away: what defines an amateur and a professional? The distinction can be quite confusing. Some people believe you’re a professional as soon as you start charging for a service. Others think you’re only a professional if you make a living from it. Unlike professions like doctors or lawyers, the title “photographer” isn’t protected. That means anyone can buy a camera and call themselves a photographer. If they then charge for their services, some would consider them a professional. This can understandably be confusing for consumers.
When it comes to creative fields, I personally think it’s less important whether someone is technically a “professional.” That is, if we’re using the definition that you must make a living from it to be considered one. There are incredibly talented people out there who don’t want to turn their passion into a full-time job. They enjoy their day jobs, and because of that, their prices can often be lower, as they don’t need to account for VAT, vacation pay, or pensions. On the other hand, a full-time, self-employed photographer dedicates around 50% of their income to taxes, vacation pay, and pension contributions. This may help put pricing into perspective for those who feel professional photography costs are high.
What about photographers with formal education? Does that guarantee quality? It’s certainly an indication that they have experience, but unfortunately, it’s not a guarantee that they’re the right fit for every job. A completed education ensures they’re technically proficient and have been exposed to a variety of skills and scenarios during their studies. Ideally, those pursuing such an education are also passionate about their craft. However, it doesn’t automatically make someone a great wedding photographer.
Experience can also be gained outside of a formal education, and even those with diplomas can sometimes lose enthusiasm for their work. We’ve all seen tradespeople who don’t deliver great results despite having the qualifications. Remember, neither Bob Dylan, The Beatles, nor Ed Sheeran are formally trained musicians. Conversely, Adele and John Mayer both have formal music education. So, don’t let this single factor dictate your decision.
In the end, it’s about finding someone whose style, experience, and personality align with your vision and needs for your wedding day. That connection matters far more than whether or not they have a formal title or certification.

PROFESSIONAL
A professional photographer is someone who either runs their own photography business or is employed as a photographer by another company. Professional photographers typically own multiple cameras and lenses. While they may specialize in certain areas, professional photographers are often capable of taking great photos outside their main categories due to their experience and, in some cases, formal education. Their deep understanding of the technical aspects of photography allows them to adapt to a variety of situations.
Many professionals regularly attend training courses to refine their skills, and some even teach others through online platforms or workshops. Professionals also tend to have business insurance and use contracts with terms and conditions to formalize their assignments. They usually have an online presence through a website and social media channels, although, of course, amateurs can have these as well!
PRICE
When discussing professional photographers, prices for full-day coverage typically range between 15,000 and 25,000 DKK. There are exceptions, with some photographers offering slightly lower rates and others, especially those in high demand, charging higher fees. These prices are generally based on delivering all selected images fully edited and provided digitally. Some packages may also include an album.
There are also skilled, professional photographers who charge around 5,000 DKK for the initial photography session. However, with this model, clients often need to purchase photos separately afterward. For many customers, the total cost ends up being comparable to the all-inclusive packages. It ultimately comes down to personal preference.
Professional photographers’ prices can vary significantly because most base their rates on their expenses. For instance, some may have large studio spaces, while others work from home, which impacts their pricing. Additionally, supply and demand play a significant role in determining rates.
In summary, pricing reflects not just the quality of the work but also the photographer’s costs, experience, and business structure, which can vary greatly from one professional to another.
PROS
• Years of experience with hundreds of weddings.
• A confident personality to handle any situation a wedding might present, such as rain, storms, fog, winter or summer weddings.
• Expertise in a variety of settings, including venues without windows, candlelit-only lighting, outdoor ceremonies, churches and cathedrals, as well as hotel weddings.
• They’ve often developed a photography style that is modern yet timeless, ensuring your photos will look beautiful for the rest of your lives.
• They carry professional liability insurance.
• They have backup equipment.
• They quickly build rapport with people, providing a sense of comfort and confidence.
• They work seamlessly with other staff members, fit into your schedule, and ensure everything runs smoothly.
• Wedding photos that tell the story of your day rather than just a collection of random images.
• Access to professional wedding albums.
• The ability to offer high-quality prints that will last for many years.
CONS
• You’ll need to build trust with a stranger, which isn’t always easy for everyone. Fortunately, most skilled wedding photographers are so experienced in working with people that they’ll guide you through the process and make it feel comfortable.
• Hiring a professional comes with a fee that is significantly higher than hiring an enthusiastic amateur. Like with most things, quality comes at a slightly higher price.
• It takes time to find the right photographer for you. If photography is a key priority for your wedding, don’t just settle for the first one you come across. Take your time to browse and compare different photographers until you find the perfect fit.
• You’ll need to wait for your photos to be professionally edited, which can take anywhere from two to four weeks, and sometimes even longer, after your wedding. However, good things come to those who wait! Many photographers also provide a small preview shortly after the wedding to keep you excited.
• You may need to pay extra for wedding albums. While some photographers include physical albums in their packages, it’s more common for these to be an optional add-on you can purchase afterward.

AMATEUR
An amateur photographer, in this context, is someone who has a full-time job in a field unrelated to photography. In other words, photography is their hobby. They may have chosen a specific area of interest, such as landscape or children’s photography, and might even be a member of a photography club. They probably own a decent camera, and some may have won photography competitions or had their work published in a magazine. However, apart from covering their equipment expenses and earning a bit of pocket money, they typically don’t earn a proper salary from photography.
PRICE
If you’re the kind of couple who doesn’t see hiring a photographer as one of the most important aspects of your wedding but still wants better photos than what your guests’ smartphones can produce, you should budget around 5,000–12,000 DKK for full-day coverage. Of course, this is a broad price range, but it would usually cover a competent amateur photographer.
Some of you might be thinking, “5,000–12,000 DKK for a day’s work from an amateur? That’s a lot of money!” But actually, it’s not. Don’t forget that whether someone is an amateur or a professional, there’s a lot of work involved both before and after your wedding day. This includes preparation, sorting, editing, and delivering the final photos. Personally, I spend around 40 hours on a wedding, including the 10–12 hours of shooting during a typical full-day package.
Some might also be tempted to ask a relative, like an uncle who recently bought a new camera and took great photos on their vacation. You might think, “Great! We’ll save money and spend it on other parts of the wedding.” And I understand the argument. But remember, there’s a big difference between capturing beautiful landscapes in daylight on a holiday and photographing a wedding ceremony in a dimly lit church with little natural light.
You also need to decide whether your uncle is a guest or on the job. Because as soon as you pay them or give them a gift for photographing, you’re assigning them responsibility. And if the results don’t meet your expectations, it can become incredibly awkward. It’s something worth considering carefully.
PROS
• The price is likely significantly lower than a professional – or perhaps even free.
• You save a lot of money.
• You save time searching for the perfect photographer.
• You don’t have to adjust to a stranger, as you already know your friend.
• You’ll likely receive the photos very quickly – usually within a week after the wedding, as they often don’t spend much time editing the photos.
• You’ll probably get far more photos, likely every single shot they took, delivered on a USB drive.
• You can purchase a cheap album and design it yourself (this is also an option with many professional photographers who provide only digital files).
• They likely won’t have any time restrictions on the wedding day and will take photos from the morning until the party ends.
CONS
• If they get sick and cannot attend, they are unlikely to find a free replacement on short notice.
• They may lack experience in directing people and arranging groups so everyone is visible in group photos (though this won’t be an issue if you don’t want group photos).
• The final photos will often lack that WOW factor you get with most images from professional photographers.
• Wedding albums you order yourself are not as luxurious or high-quality as those professional photographers have access to. Professional wedding album suppliers only sell their products to professional photographers, not directly to customers.
• You risk subpar prints if the photographer doesn’t understand color calibration.

WE WANT BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS,
BUT WE DON’T HAVE A BIG BUDGET
This is a common dilemma for many couples. Fortunately, there are still a few options, but it does require PRIORITIZATION. If there’s absolutely no flexibility in your budget and you’re not willing to reallocate funds from other areas, here are some alternatives:
• Hire a professional photographer for a shorter timeframe, such as just for the ceremony and portraits. This can be challenging (but not impossible), as most professionals don’t take on smaller jobs on a Saturday during peak wedding season. If they did, they would risk not making a sustainable income, as most photographers can only take on one wedding per day. And in Denmark, we don’t (yet) have the same tradition of holding weddings on Fridays or Sundays as in many other countries.
• Consider hiring a skilled amateur who photographs as a hobby and genuinely enjoys it. Many amateurs are incredibly talented and professional in their approach, but their prices will reflect the fact that they don’t need to pay VAT, vacation contributions, or pensions from their fees.
• Think about having your wedding on a Friday. Most of your guests will still attend, and you can easily start the ceremony at 3 or 4 PM (many Saturday weddings start at the same time). You’ll have the entire morning and early afternoon to prepare, just like you would on a Saturday. Most guests can take a couple of hours off work early, if needed, and many already finish work around noon or 1 PM on Fridays.
By choosing a Friday, you’ll likely see completely different prices from your vendors, as many don’t have other bookings on that day. It’s an option that could give you more flexibility in your budget while still ensuring you get the wedding photos you want.

SUMMARY
As I mentioned earlier, it can be really challenging to figure all of this out as a couple. Essentially, it’s about finding someone who can offer you a product that feels worth the price to you. Whether it’s 5,000 DKK or 25,000 DKK, the most important thing is that you feel it’s worth the investment. Anything else would feel wrong. Like in so many other industries, you usually get what you pay for—and that often applies here as well. If something seems too good to be true, there’s often a reason for that. And if something seems far more expensive than you think it should be, don’t hesitate to ask questions. If the answers don’t align with your gut feeling, it’s okay to walk away.
I recommend finding photographers whose work you genuinely like. Send them an email, set up a meeting, and have a cup of coffee while they explain how they work. Ask all the questions you need and pay attention to your instincts. Go home and sleep on it! Is there good chemistry? Do you trust them? Or do you hear alarm bells ringing?
If photography is a high priority for you, don’t wait—start searching as soon as you’ve set your wedding date. Popular and sought-after vendors are booked early, often a year in advance!