Gold Coast Wedding Photography

How far in advance should you book a wedding photographer on the Gold Coast?

"How far in advance should we book a wedding photographer on the Gold Coast?" is perhaps the most often asked question we get. Unfortunately, that is also the most difficult question to answer, with the only appropriate response being "as soon as possible."

While many couples book their Gold Coast wedding photography roughly 8-10 months in advance on average, the time frame varies substantially when dates are decided on individually. For example, the average booking time for Saturdays in the spring and fall is closer to a year, with dates sometimes booked as far as 18-20 months in advance. On the other side, wedding photographers can book many weddings just a month or two before the date, and I even book some a few days before the wedding!

All in all, if you have your heart set on a particular Gold Coast wedding photographer, we recommend booking them as soon as possible, after you’ve set your date and chose your venue. This is true especially for the best wedding photographers with good reviews, awards, years of experience, and a good reputation.

Which wedding photography styles do photographers use on the Gold Coast?

Choosing a wedding photographer is one of the more difficult decisions to make when planning your big day, not only because there are so many amazing artists to pick from but also because each photographer has their own distinct style. Do you prefer a more classic look? Do you want your pictures to look like they're straight out of Vogue? Somewhere in the middle? Don't worry; we're here to help. We’ve listed the most popular photography styles used by the Gold Coast wedding photographers to help you find the perfect one for you!

• Traditional (Classic) Wedding Photography: You're probably thinking of the traditional style when it comes to wedding photos. These are usually posed, formal photographs were taken at eye level. Consider photos of your family and wedding party for a photo album. While the phrase "traditional" may have a negative connotation, this photo style has stood the test of time due to its timeless aesthetic, and it's typical to have at least some of your wedding photos captured this way.

• Wedding Photojournalism: Photojournalism, often known as documentary photography, is one of the most popular wedding photography styles for a reason. While the exact definition varies from photographer to photographer, it consists of candid photos providing the impression of being engaged in the event as it unfolds in real-time. The wedding photographer is essentially an observer. As a result, the photographer is connecting with the subject from afar while having little to no personal interaction up close.

• Fine Art (Artistic) Wedding Photography: It's a type of wedding photography in which the photographer uses artistic photos to tell your day's story through their lens. Rather than being a fly on the wall like a professional photojournalist, fine art wedding photographers inject themselves into the day by meticulously selecting settings, lighting, composition, styling, and posing to create an artistic story of your most special day.

• Vintage Wedding Photography: Vintage-style images can be created in various ways, including a film camera, special filters attached to a digital camera's lens, and post-production editing. When editing images to give them a vintage vibe, your wedding photographer will add graininess and sepia colouring to enhance brown tones. Because editing is such an important element of vintage wedding photography, make sure your photographer is familiar with this style. This will ensure you obtain the perfect nostalgic photographs.

• Contemporary Wedding Photography: This category can include both lighthearted, stylish images and dramatic, eye-catching pictures. The photographer will direct and pose their subjects to create distinctive and fascinating photographs. They merge modern styles with classic portraits. A contemporary wedding photographer will use artistic angles and the environment to create photos that range from touching to dramatic.

How much does a wedding photographer cost on the Gold Coast?

The average cost of a two-hour wedding photoshoot on the Gold Coast is $1,100. One-hour wedding photography will be approximately $680, while a four-hour shoot would cost you around $1,900. Compared to the other states and most-populated cities, you can expect to find more affordable wedding photography options on the Gold Coast.

The price of 6 to 8-hour coverage ranges between $2,500 and $4,000. You can find relatively cheap wedding photography options for mid-week celebrations or in the off-peak season, meaning late fall and winter. Additionally, for budget and affordable wedding photographers, consider hiring a local professional so that you won’t need to cover travel and accommodation expenses.

What is included in a wedding photography package on the Gold Coast?

There are a lot of photographers out there, and they all have distinct services to offer. Here's an example of what you may expect from Gold Coast wedding photography packages:

• Hours of coverage
• 2nd shooter
• Events to be photographed (engagement, pre-wedding, reception, ceremony etc.)
• Number of digital files
• Number of prints
• An online gallery
• Editing
• Album and/or canvas prints
• Print release (whether you can print your photos on your own?)
• Additional costs (travel, accommodation, meals etc.)

What questions should you ask a Gold Coast-based wedding photographer?

One of the most important decisions you'll make while planning your wedding is which Gold Coast wedding photographer to hire. Your wedding pictures will take pride in your photo albums for decades to come; therefore, they must have a strong combination of artistic vision, expertise, and experience. Ask the following questions to ensure that the professional photographer you book is the best fit for your needs.

• Is my date available?
• What is your primary wedding photography style?
• Do you shoot film, digital or a mix of both?
• How many years you’ve been photographing weddings?
• Can we see any full galleries from a recent wedding you’ve worked at?
• What wedding photography packages do you offer, and what do they include?
• Can we customize the packages according to our needs?
• What kind of equipment do you use? Do you have backup equipment?
• What happens when you have an emergency or get ill?
• How would you describe your working style?
• Have you taken photos at my wedding venue(s) before? Would you be willing to visit the venue before the wedding day?
• Have you ever photographed a wedding similar to ours?
• Will I get all of the photographs or just those selected by you? How many photographs can I expect?
• Do you have insurance?
• What will you wear?
• When can I expect to see the finished wedding photographs?

What are the best wedding photo locations on the Gold Coast?

When you think of wedding photography, one of the first things that come to mind is the background of your wedding photos. Where do you see yourself? Hopefully, you will appreciate these wedding photo locations on the Gold Coast, whether you prefer a romantic garden setting, a breathtaking beach backdrop, or unusual city angles!

• Pizzey Park Forest
• Point Danger
• Burleigh Hill
• Currumbin Alley
• Froggy’s Beach
• Tallebudgera Creek
• Lores Bonney Lookout