• In the survey, the average photographer has been in business (full-time or part-time) for 6 years and photographed 21 weddings in 2018.  

• On average, photographers reported that 17% of weddings in 2018 were destination weddings, 22% of clients bought a wedding album, 40% of weddings requested a second shooter, and 48% of weddings also booked an engagement session.  

• Respondents reported an average total revenue of $54,300 from their business in 2018, with a typical wedding photography package priced at $3,000.  

• Total business expenses in 2018 averaged at $17,400. Most common expenses reported were equipment/gear, travel, and advertising.  

• Photographers spent an average of $1,800 on advertising and $1,226 on continued education in 2018.  

  • The number of years in business is correlated with more weddings booked and more revenue.  

• Revenue is correlated with more money spent on advertising and with more money spent on continued education.  

• Women spend more on average on continued education ($1356) compared to men ($916).  

• Respondents who reported buying or completing continued education were asked what type(s) they used. 58% reported using online sources, 42% went to in-person workshops, 40% used online guides, 27% used webinars, 26% used tutorials, 26% read books, 25% listened to podcasts, 22% went to conferences, 15% learned through mentorship, and 9% reported Other.  

• Photographers were asked how they acquire leads for their business - 91% reported by word of mouth, 87% from Instagram, 71% reported online searches, 63% from Facebook, 61% from vendor referrals, 25% from paid ads on wedding websites, 16% from Pinterest, 11% from wedding shows/expos, and 6% reported Other.  

• Respondents reported receiving about 95 leads/inquiries per year.  

• People spend about an hour on social media every day for their business and more than 75% have a blog.  

• 55% of photographers in the survey use Canon as their main camera brand, 27% use Nikon, 13% use Sony, and 5% reported Other brands.  

• The average respondent is 33 years old and 74% of the sample are female.