Every week someone emails me asking for "the packages," and I can tell they're a little nervous — like there's a secret menu they're supposed to already understand. There isn't. So let me pull back the curtain. When you ask what wedding photography packages include, you're really asking two things: how much of my day gets covered, and what do I actually walk away with afterward. I've shot over 500 weddings around Los Angeles in 17 years, and I'm going to tell you exactly what's inside a typical package, what the good stuff is, and where couples get quietly overcharged.

The blunt version first

A real wedding photography package, at minimum, includes hours of coverage, an edited online gallery of high-resolution images, and a print release so you can order your own prints. Everything beyond that — engagement session, second shooter, album, prints, a fancy USB box — is an add-on that photographers bundle in different ways to hit different price points. That's it. If you understand those pieces, you can decode any quote in Los Angeles, whether it's $1,500 or $9,000.

Here's the thing most people don't realize: two "8-hour packages" from two photographers can be wildly different products. One might deliver 400 lightly-edited photos in three months. The other delivers 700 fully color-graded images in four weeks with a second shooter included. Same headline, totally different value. So don't shop the number. Shop the contents.

What's almost always included

Let me walk through the standard building blocks you'll see in nearly every legitimate Los Angeles package.

  • Coverage hours. This is the spine of the whole thing. Most couples land between 6 and 10 hours. Six hours covers a small ceremony and reception; eight is the sweet spot for a full day with getting-ready photos; ten-plus is for big multicultural weddings or two venues. I wrote a whole honest guide on how many hours of coverage you actually need because this is where people either overpay or run out of time at the worst moment.
  • The edited digital gallery. You get a private online gallery — I use one you can download from and share with family. Expect roughly 50 to 100 finished images per hour of coverage. An 8-hour wedding usually lands somewhere around 600 to 800 keepers.
  • High-resolution files and a print release. You should receive full-resolution JPEGs and written permission to print them yourself. If a photographer only hands you watermarked previews and charges for every download, walk away.
  • Editing and color grading. This is invisible labor that eats hours. Culling, color correcting, and hand-retouching your gallery is most of the work — actual shooting is maybe a third of the job. That's a big part of why wedding photographers charge what they do.

The common add-ons — and which ones are worth it

Now the stuff that gets stacked on top. This is where packages start to look different, and where you decide what matters to you.

Engagement session

Most mid-tier and premium LA packages fold in a 1 to 2 hour engagement shoot. Honestly? I think it's one of the best things you can say yes to — and not for the photos alone. It's a rehearsal. You learn how I direct, I learn how you two move together, and by your wedding day the camera doesn't feel like a stranger. We can shoot these at El Matador Beach in Malibu at golden hour, the Griffith Observatory lawn, or the arches at the LA Public Library downtown.

Second photographer

A second shooter runs about $500 to $1,200 depending on the day. They cover the groom getting ready while I'm with the bride, grab reaction shots during the ceremony, and shoot a second angle of the first dance. For a wedding under 60 guests in one room, you may not need one. For a 150-person wedding at a sprawling estate like a Calabasas vineyard, I'd push for it. I broke down the real decision in my post on whether you need a second photographer.

Albums and prints

A designed, professionally printed album typically adds $600 to $1,800. I'll be blunt: an album is worth it. Your gallery lives on a hard drive nobody opens. A book on the coffee table gets picked up for decades. Prints, parent albums, and wall art are usually à la carte on top.

Extra hours, drone, and same-day content

Additional coverage hours usually run $300 to $600 each. Some studios also bundle in day-after or trash-the-dress sessions.

Where photography meets video — and why one team matters

Here's something I feel strongly about after nearly two decades. At ConneryFilm we run photography and cinematic videography under one roof — one team, one timeline, one point of contact. I've watched too many weddings where a separately-hired photo team and video team fight over the same three feet during the first kiss, or one crew blocks the other's shot walking down the aisle. When it's one studio, we choreograph around each other because we planned it together weeks in advance.

It also changes your budget math. Bundling photo and video with one company is almost always cheaper than hiring two premium vendors separately, and your photo turnaround and film delivery come from the same shop instead of two inboxes you're chasing. If you're weighing whether to add film at all, I laid out my honest take on whether wedding videographers are actually worth it — spoiler, I'm biased, but the reasoning holds up.

What a package usually costs in Los Angeles

Let me give you real numbers, because vague ranges help nobody.

  • $1,500–$2,500: Newer or part-time photographers, 6–8 hours, digital gallery, minimal extras. Fine for smaller weddings — just vet the full gallery, not the highlight reel.
  • $3,000–$5,000: The bulk of experienced full-time LA photographers. Usually 8 hours, engagement session, sometimes a second shooter, faster turnaround. This is what I'd call the honest middle. I explained whether $4,000 is a lot to spend in its own post.
  • $5,500–$9,000+: Established studios, full coverage, second shooter, album, and often photo-plus-video bundles. You're paying for consistency across hundreds of weddings and a team that won't panic when the timeline collapses.

If you want a fuller picture across both services, I put together a realistic budget for photography and videography that maps out how these combine.

The fine print people forget to read

Before you sign anything, check for these. They're not glamorous but they're where surprises hide.

  • Turnaround time. Expect 4 to 8 weeks for a full gallery from a good LA studio, sometimes 10–12 in peak fall season. Get it in writing.
  • Number of delivered images. A minimum count protects you.
  • Travel fees. Most of us include a radius around central LA, then charge for Santa Barbara, Palm Springs, or Ojai.
  • Overtime rate. Weddings run long. Know the hourly rate before the DJ plays one more song.
  • Backup gear and a second body. Any pro should shoot on dual card slots. Ask.

These are exactly the kinds of things I cover in my list of questions to ask a photographer before booking.

What I'd choose if it were my wedding

If I were the one getting married in Los Angeles, here's my honest package: eight hours of coverage, an engagement session, a second shooter, and a printed album — with video bundled from the same team. Eight hours lets you breathe through getting ready, a full ceremony, golden-hour portraits (and in LA, that golden light off a Malibu bluff around 6:45pm in summer is unreal), and a couple hours of dancing. I'd skip the giant USB keepsake box and put that money toward the album instead. Coverage and craft first, packaging second. Always.

Frequently asked questions

How many photos do you get in a wedding package?

Roughly 50 to 100 edited images per hour of coverage. An 8-hour Los Angeles wedding typically delivers 600 to 800 finished, color-graded photos in your online gallery.

Is an engagement session usually included?

In most mid-range and premium LA packages, yes. Budget packages often treat it as a $300–$500 add-on. I recommend it either way — it makes you far more comfortable on the wedding day.

Do photography packages include the digital files?

They should. You want full-resolution files plus a print release. Be very cautious of any package that delivers only low-res previews or charges per download.

Can I combine photography and video in one package?

Absolutely, and it's usually the smarter move. Booking both from one studio like ours keeps the two teams coordinated on your timeline and typically costs less than hiring two separate premium vendors.

How long until I get my photos back?

Four to eight weeks is standard for a professional Los Angeles studio, though peak fall weddings can push it to ten or twelve. Confirm the timeline in your contract.

If you're staring at a stack of quotes and want a real human to help you make sense of what's inside them, I'm happy to talk it through — no pressure, just straight answers. Call or text 818.749.7039 or reach out through ConneryFilm.com, and let's build a photo-and-film package that actually fits your day.

Meet the Author: Connery Davoodian Hello, I'm Connery Davoodian, the visionary behind ConneryFilm, and I'm thrilled to share insights from my 17-year journey through the world of wedding photography and videography. My passion extends beyond simply capturing images; it's about artfully weaving your unique love story into a timeless, cinematic masterpiece. My artistic path began long before I ever picked up a camera, deeply rooted in music as a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. This diverse background in directing, producing, and editing has cultivated a unique perspective, allowing me to approach each wedding not just as an event, but as a dynamic narrative waiting to be beautifully told. This blend of technical mastery and creative storytelling is the heartbeat of ConneryFilm, ensuring that every frame, every shot, and every film is infused with depth, emotion, and unparalleled artistic integrity. At ConneryFilm, we believe your wedding memories deserve nothing less than bespoke luxury. My philosophy centers on capturing the authentic, unscripted moments – the genuine smiles, the tender glances, the joyful laughter – that truly define your day. While we obsess over exquisite details and sophisticated aesthetics, our true joy comes from making you feel completely at ease, like a "friendor" who genuinely celebrates alongside you. This calm, organized presence allows your true personalities to shine, resulting in images and films that are as real and vibrant as your love itself. Based in the heart of Los Angeles, California, my team and I are privileged to serve couples across the globe, bringing our signature high-end wedding photography and videography to destination weddings worldwide. Through these blog posts, I aim to share invaluable insights, luxurious inspiration, and practical, fun advice to guide you through your wedding planning journey, helping you make informed decisions about preserving your most cherished moments. Thank you for trusting ConneryFilm to be a part of your extraordinary adventure. I'm excited to share my knowledge and passion with you, helping you create memories that will last forever.