text: how much should a wedding photographer charge for a wedding and reception? a total time of 8 hours taking photos. how much should you pay for a car?  how much experience?  what is the market?  what is the competition?  film or digital?  med format or 35mm?   prints?  full resolution files?   extensive retouching?  albums?   how many?  what size?   dvd?  slide shows?  coffee table books? all of the above?  expect to pay anywhere from $400 to $25,000.  i think a middle of the road figure for a competent experienced photographer  would be $2000 to $5000.  good luck!