Explore this list of wedding photographers with affordable packages in Johannesburg, Gauteng, Pretoria, Cape Town, Nelspruit, KwaZulu-Natal, and more.
Undoubtedly, any couple who chooses South Africa as their wedding destination has made the best choice that will stick with them for decades.
South Africa has several beautiful places for couples to exchange vows and make lifelong memories, from the scenic vineyards of the Western Cape to the busy streets of Johannesburg. Not to mention the beautiful beaches, mountains, and wildlife areas within the Rainbow Nation.
Weddings in South Africa are colorful events honoring love, customs, and culture that take place amidst breathtaking scenery and a diverse population, which is a great advantage for photographers.
In this article, JanaTribe will explore the popular and talented photographers in the SA and provide you with their websites and social media accounts to help you book them, as well as their packages to help you make the right budget. Keep reading for more.
How necessary are photography and videography for couples?
Photography and videography are more than just services; they are invaluable tools for preserving the memories of one of the most important days in a couple’s life. While the wedding itself may only last a day, the photographs and videos captured on that day will serve as timeless reminders of the love, joy, and celebration shared with family and friends.
For couples, photography and videography offer the opportunity to document every precious moment of their wedding day, from the anticipation of getting ready to the emotional exchange of vows and the jubilant celebrations that follow. These images and videos serve as a visual narrative of their love story, allowing them to relive the magic of their wedding day for years to come.
Moreover, photography and videography provide couples with the opportunity to share their special day with loved ones who may not have been able to attend in person. Through beautifully captured images and videos, couples can share the joy and excitement of their wedding day with friends and family near and far, ensuring that no moment is forgotten or overlooked.
In essence, photography and videography are essential investments for couples planning their wedding, allowing them to preserve the memories of their special day and share them with future generations. With the right photographer and videographer, couples can trust that every fleeting moment will be captured with care, attention to detail, and artistic flair.
25 best wedding photographers in South Africa
South Africa boasts talented photographers who can capture all the glitz at your wedding ceremony. Looking at the current trends of luxury and elegance in weddings, photographing a South African wedding demands talent, imagination, and knowledge of the particulars that make these events genuinely memorable.
Below are 25 of the best photographers you can contact for their packages and prices, along with their websites and social media accounts:
Wedding photographers in Cape Town
1. BMedia Studio
Check their website for their packages
Check them on Instagram @bmediastudio
2. Candice Taylor Photography
Check their website for their packages
Check them on Instagram @candicetaylor_photography
3. Cheryl McEwan Photography
Check their website for their packages
Check them on Instagram @bmediastudio
4. Chris Jenkins Photography
Check their website for their packages
Check them on Instagram @bmediastudio
5. Greg Lumley
Check out their packages and prices on their website.
Check out their photos and videos on Instagram @greglumley
Wedding photographers in Gauteng
6. Barclay Studios
Check their website for their packages
See some of their shoots on Instagram @barclaystudios_
7. JJ Photography South Africa
Check their website for their packages
8. RDK Photography
Check their website for their packages
See them on IG @rdk_photography_weddings
9. Deon Coetzee Photography
Check their website for their packages
See more of their works on Instagram @deoncoetzeephotography
10. In-Frame Studio
Check their website for their packages
Check them on Instagram @inframestudiomanchester
11. Karen Pretorius Photography
Check their website for their packages
See more of their work on IG @kxren.pretorius
12. Lara Jayne Photography
Check their website for their packages
Check them on Instagram @larajanephotography
13. Lireze Photography
Check their website for their packages
Get a glimpse of some of their shoots on Instagram @lireze_photography
14. Lynette Vd Bijl Photography
Check their website for their packages
See some of their shoots on Instagram @lynettevanderbijl_photography
15. Megan Ann Photography
Check their website for their packages
See some wonderful images on Instagram @meganannphotography
16. Michael Hockey Productions
Check their website for their packages
See some of their pictures on Instagram @michaelhockeyproductions
Wedding Photographers in KwaZulu-Natal
- Conway Photo And Film
- check their website for their packages
- Elysian Photography
- check their website for their packages
- Sage Photography & Film
- check their website for their packages
- Seagreen Photography
- check their website for their packages
- Stefan Coetzee Photographics
- check their website for their packages
Wedding photographers in North West, South Africa
- DKE Productions
- check their website for their packages
For more, check out the top 100+ South African photographers
How much does wedding photography cost in South Africa?
Weddings are special moments in the lives of couples and hence, it is right to get all the pictures and videos of this day in the right quality for your generation to have a look at. However, do not break the bank for it.
South African wedding photographer pricing varies, and hence, there is no fixed cost for all of them. Note that there are thousands to millions of photographers out there in the country, so do not expect them to charge the same amount.
Cheap wedding photographers are like everything else: you get what you pay for. Well, expensive photographers who promise quality work are the best, but always make sure it’s within your budget.
Photographers charge differently, and the price depends on the level of expertise and experience of the photographer and your location. Before choosing a photographer, we recommend looking at their previous work to make sure their aesthetic matches your own.
The true question here is: What do you truly desire from your wedding photos? So, let’s delve into the actual cost of hiring a wedding photographer in South Africa.
According to a publication by Procompare, the average cost of a wedding in South Africa is between R4000 ($214) and R11000 ($589). The outlet notes that this price includes 5–8 hours of wedding coverage and 250–500 edited photos in a digital format. All additional hours, photos, and services (e.g. wedding video, additional newlywed’s photo shoot, etc.) are charged extra.
For engagements, the cost of a photo shoot (in a studio) typically runs from R1500 ($81)/hour to R2500 ($134)/hour, averaging at R2000 ($108)/hour. The cost of a photoshoot at a selected location typically runs from R600 ($32) to R1200 ($65), averaging R900 ($49).
The outlet also suggests that wedding video costs range between R8000 and R16,000, with an average of R12,000. For photo booth hire, expect to pay between R1000 and R4000.
Another wedding photographer at Greg Lumley, in a publication about the rates of photographers, listed the current prices as below:
The punters:
- Up to R6000.00 ($322)
Average Expenditure: R4000.00 ($215)
The general photographer:
- R8000.00 ($428) to R15000.00 ($802)
Average Expenditure: R12000.00 ($642)
The Elite Wedding Photographers:
- Starting from R17000.00 ($910)
- Average Expenditure: R25000.00 ($1,337)
Advice to couples on a budget who want great wedding photos
The above prices or rates of photographers are just projected estimations; it is right to visit the websites and social media accounts of your best option or personally contact them to ask for their packages, which entails the prices, quality, and quantity of their works.
For couples on a tight budget but still want to capture the best moments of their big days, Claire Nicola King, a photographer from Cape Town who owns the website clairenicole.com, via Glamour South Africa shared the best tip. She notes:
“An experienced photographer can make any wedding, expensive or not, look good. A less experienced photographer has the potential to make even the most expensive wedding look like it was photographed using a cell phone. So if you need to cut back, photography is not the place to do it. In 20 years’ time, you probably won’t care if the flowers were imported or picked in your backyard, if the guests had a gift at their place setting or if the cake was designer or homemade. What you will remember is if your photographs are a beautiful reminder of one of the most important days of your life. So don’t cheat yourself out of this keepsake by hiring an inexperienced photographer who won’t do your special day justice.”
