If you’ve started looking for a wedding photographer, chances are this question has already popped into your head: “Okay, but how many photos do we actually get?”
Totally fair question. You’re investing in memories that will last a lifetime, so of course you want to know what to expect when your final gallery hits your inbox.
As a Raleigh wedding photographer (who also travels all across North Carolina and beyond), I’ve delivered everything from a few hundred images for a cozy elopement to 1,000+ for those full-day celebrations where the dance floor does notquit.
So, let’s break it down.
What Affects the Number of Wedding Photos?
Hours of coverage — The longer I’m with you, the more moments I’ll capture. Six hours will look different than a full 10-12 hour day that includes getting ready, first look, ceremony, portraits, reception, and sparkler exit.
Second photographer — Two sets of eyes = way more coverage. While I’m photographing portraits, my second shooter might be catching candid laughs at cocktail hour.
Wedding size — A 200-guest ballroom wedding in Raleigh or Charlotte is going to create more photos than an intimate 20-person ceremony in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Photographer style — Some photographers deliver fewer, super curated images. My style? A balance of documentary and editorial. I want you to feel like you’re reliving your day when you look through your gallery.
The Numbers (Because I Know That’s What You’re Here For)
On average, you can expect about 50–100 final photos per hour of coverage.
- A 6-hour wedding → around 300–600 photos
- An 8-hour wedding → usually 400–800 photos
- A full 10-12 hour wedding with two photographers → often 1,000+ photos
These are all final, edited images. I go through and cut out the duplicates, blinks, test shots, and random uncle walking in front of the camera so you’re left with the best of the best.
What’s Included in a Wedding Gallery?
A full gallery is more than just portraits. You’ll see…
- Getting ready moments (yes, I will photograph your grandma helping you into your dress).
- Ceremony photos — the first look at each other, your vows, your first kiss, and your guests’ reactions.
- Portraits — you two, your families, your wedding party.
- Candid moments — hugs, tears, dance floor chaos.
- Details — your flowers, your cake, the little things you worked so hard on.
Basically, your gallery should feel like the whole day from start to finish.
Quality Over Quantity
Here’s the thing: it’s not just about numbers. I could give you 10,000 photos, but if they didn’t tell your story, what’s the point? My goal is for you to flip through your gallery years from now and feel your wedding day all over again.
Planning Your Own Wedding?
Whether you’re getting married in Raleigh, planning a mountain wedding in Asheville, saying “I do” on the Carolina coast, or dreaming up a destination celebration, I’d love to capture it all for you.
Your wedding gallery will be more than just pretty photos. It’ll be a story you can hold onto forever.
