Most wedding photographers and videographers who work with studios are independent contractors, not employees. That changes how you're paid, how you're taxed and what you should keep track of.
Common pay structures
- Flat rate per wedding. The most common setup for leads and second shooters. The rate covers the agreed coverage hours, with overtime paid separately.
- Per hour. Common for shorter events, ceremony-only coverage and some editing work.
- Per project. Typical for editors: a set rate for a highlight film, a full edit or a culled and colored gallery.
Travel beyond a set radius, overnight stays and extra coverage are usually paid on top. Ask how these are handled before you accept a booking.
What being a contractor means
As a contractor you choose which weddings you accept and you supply your own equipment. Taxes are not withheld from your pay. In the United States, a company that pays you $600 or more in a year generally sends you a Form 1099-NEC, and you report that income on your own return.
This is general information, not tax advice. A tax professional can tell you what applies to your situation, including estimated quarterly payments and which expenses you can deduct.
What to keep track of
- Every wedding you work, the date and what you were paid
- Mileage and travel for each booking
- Equipment purchases, repairs and insurance
- Software subscriptions, memory cards, storage and backup
A simple spreadsheet updated after each wedding is enough for most shooters. It also shows you which months and which kinds of bookings actually pay best.
Questions to ask a studio
- What is the rate for this role, and what does it include?
- How is overtime paid, and who approves it?
- When and how will I be paid after the wedding?
- Who owns the images and footage, and can I use them in my portfolio?
See what shooters earn where you live in our pay guides by state.