This is probably one of the biggest questions couples ask when planning their wedding photography. Wedding is once in a lifetime events, and every moment deserves to be captured. But how many photos should you expect when you hire a wedding photographer? Is there a magic number? Let’s go though this question and help you understand exactly what to expect.
Ann and Peter’s Wedding Photos concern
Ann and Peter, a lovely couple from Kisumu had spent months planning everything, the perfect venue in Naivasha, the dream wedding dress, and a guest list full of family and friends. But when it came to wedding photography, this was their concern: “How many photos do you normally get from a wedding photographer?” They didn’t want to miss a single moment. They imagined hundreds of happy guests, beautiful decorations, and a sunset ceremony. Would their photographer capture it all? Would they get enough pictures to remember their special day forever?
What Determines the Number of Wedding Photos?
This are the key factors that determines the Number of Wedding Photos .
1. The Wedding Package You Choose
Wedding photographers in Kenya offer different packages. Some offer basic coverage with fewer photos, while others provide premium packages with thousands of pictures.
Example:
- A small package might include 200-400 photos.
- A medium package could deliver 500-800 photos.
- A premium package might have 1000+ photos.
Ann and Peter chose a premium package, expecting about 1200 pictures.
2. The Period of the Wedding

A wedding that lasts just for few hours will have fewer photos than a full day event. If your photographer is with you from morning preparations to the evening party, you’ll get more pictures. Typically, photographers deliver about 50-100 edited images per hour of coverage. For an 8-hour wedding, you might receive 600-800 photos. For a 12-hour wedding, the count could be 800-1200 photos.
3. The Number of Photographers
A single photographer can not capture so much. If you hire two or more photographers, you’ll get more angles, more candid images, and ultimately, more photos. Some couples choose a second photographer for a more complete story of their wedding day. Ann and Peter only had one photographer, but he did an amazing job capturing every single moment.
4. The Style of Photography
Photographers have different shooting styles. Some focus on quality over quantity, delivering fewer, but more artistic and well-edited photos. Others take a documentary approach, capturing every detail and giving you hundreds of candid moments. If your photographer loves capturing raw, emotional shots, you might get fewer classic photos but a beautiful collection of actual moments.

5. Editing Process
Not all photos taken at your wedding will make the final cut. Photographers take thousands of pictures, but they carefully select and edit the best ones. This ensures you get only the highest-quality images no duplicates, no bad lighting, no blurry shots. On average, photographers keep about 30-50% of what they shoot. So if they take 3000 photos, you might receive 900-1200 final images.
How Many Wedding Photos Do You Really Need?
It’s easy to think, “The more photos, the better!” But do you really need 2000 pictures from your wedding? Not necessarily. Most couples find that 500-1000 photos are more than enough to tell the full story of their day. You don’t want to be overwhelmed with too many similar shots. Instead, you want a carefully curated album filled with meaningful moments. Quality beats quantity every time.
What’s Included in Your Wedding Photo Delivery?
When you receive your wedding photos, you can expect a mix of different types of shots:
1. Getting Ready Photos

- Bride and bridesmaids preparing
- Groom and groomsmen getting dressed
- Emotional moments with family
2. Ceremony Photos
- Walking down the aisle
- The vows and ring exchange
- The first kiss
3. Family and Group Photos
- Formal portraits
- Fun, candid moments with loved ones
4. Couple’s Photoshoot
- Romantic shots of just the two of you
- Creative poses and natural interactions
5. Reception Photos
- Cake cutting
- First dance
- Speeches and toasts
6. Candid and Fun Moments
- Guests laughing and dancing
- Emotional reactions
- Unexpected surprises
All these images come together to tell the full story of your wedding day.
What to Ask Your Photographer Before Booking
If you want to know how many photos you normally get from a wedding photographer, here are some questions to ask:
- How many photos do you usually deliver for a full-day wedding?
- Do you offer a second photographer for more coverage?
- What’s your editing process, and how do you select final images?
- How long will it take to receive our photos?
- Will we get high-resolution images for printing?
Ann and Peter asked these questions before hiring their photographer, and it helped them set the right expectations.
Conclusion
So, how many photos do you normally get from a wedding photographer? For most weddings, you can expect 500-1200 photos, depending on coverage, package, and photographer style. Remember, it’s not just about the number of photos, but the quality of moments captured. Mary and Brian were thrilled with their 700 beautifully edited photos. Every time they look at them, they feel like they’re reliving their wedding day all over again. And that’s what great wedding photography is all about.
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