If you're searching for wedding and videography packages in Los Angeles, here's the short answer I give every couple at a consultation: a real combined photo and video package in LA starts around $3,500 with a small studio like mine and runs $6,000 to $15,000 with the bigger names. Below $3,000 for both, something important is missing, and it's usually the edit, the second shooter, or the audio.

I've been shooting weddings for 17 years, and for most of that time I've done photography and film under one roof at ConneryFilm. So I've seen both sides of the package question: what couples think they're buying, and what actually shows up on the day. Let me walk you through it the way I would over coffee.

What a combined package should actually include

A package is only as good as its line items. When I build one, or when I look at a competitor's, these are the things I check first:

  • Who is shooting. Number of photographers and number of cinematographers, by role. "Photo and video coverage" with one person holding both cameras is not a package, it's a compromise.
  • Coverage hours. Eight to ten hours covers getting ready through the first hour of dancing for most LA weddings. Anything under six hours means someone misses either the prep or the send-off.
  • The film deliverables. A highlight film (usually 4 to 8 minutes), plus the full ceremony and the speeches as their own edits. If the ceremony isn't included as a full cut, ask why.
  • The photo deliverables. A fully edited gallery, typically 500 to 800 images for an 8-hour day, with a print release.
  • Turnaround. Photos in 4 to 6 weeks is healthy. Films take longer, usually 8 to 12 weeks for the highlight.
  • Audio. Lav mics on the officiant and at least one partner, plus a recorder on the DJ board. Your vows are the whole film. Bad audio ruins them.

If a quote doesn't spell out all six, it's not detailed enough to compare. If you want to go deeper on the film side, I broke down the difference between a highlight film and a full wedding video separately.

What I charge, in plain numbers

I'd rather show you my pricing than make you fill out a form to see it. For a single-day Los Angeles wedding, these are my starting points:

  • Photography only: from $1,599. Up to 10 hours, an engagement session, a fully edited gallery and a print release.
  • Cinematography only: from $1,799. One cinematographer, up to 10 hours, a 4 to 8 minute highlight film, the full ceremony and speeches, and drone where the venue permits it.
  • Photography and cinematography: from $3,500. Two cinematographers and one photographer, no time limit, the highlight film plus the full ceremony, drone where permitted, and an engagement session. This is the one most of my couples book.

One honest caveat: those numbers are for smaller, single-day weddings. Persian, Armenian and Indian weddings, multi-day celebrations and anything with 250 guests and up get a personalised quote, because they genuinely need more crew and more hours. I'd rather tell you that up front than quote you $3,500 and surprise you later.

For context on the wider market, most LA couples I talk to end up spending somewhere between $6,000 and $15,000 on photo and video together when they hire two separate premium vendors.

Bundled vs. two separate vendors: I'll be blunt

Most photographers won't say this, but two separate vendors who've never worked together is the single most common source of friction I see at weddings. Not bad work. Friction.

Here's what it looks like in real life. The ceremony at a Malibu estate, 5:15 PM, sun dropping toward the ocean. The photographer wants to stand center aisle for the processional. So does the videographer. One of them ends up in the other's frame for the first kiss, and now either your photos or your film has a guy in black holding a gimbal right behind your officiant. I've watched this happen more times than I can count, and I've been the guy trying to crop it out.

When the photo and film crews come from one studio, we plan angles the week before. My photographer knows exactly where my second cinematographer will be at the kiss. Portrait time works the same way: one shared shot list, one set of directions to the couple, one 20-minute golden hour window used by both teams instead of fought over. At a rooftop in DTLA or a garden in Pasadena, that 20 minutes is everything.

There's also the plain logistics. One contract, one deposit, one meal count for the caterer, one timeline call with your planner. And one person to call if something goes wrong.

That said, bundling only makes sense if both sides are genuinely good. Some studios are great photographers who subcontract video to whoever's free that Saturday. Ask to see a full wedding film and a full gallery from the same wedding. If they can't show you both from one day, the bundle is a sales tactic, not a team.

Where cheap packages cut corners

I get asked about the $1,800 "photo and video" deals on Instagram all the time. Here's where the money usually comes out:

  • One person, two cameras. They'll set a video camera on a tripod and shoot photos with the other hand. You get a static ceremony video and half the photos.
  • No audio setup. The film has music over everything because the vows were never recorded cleanly.
  • Short hours. Six hours sounds like plenty until the ceremony runs 40 minutes late, which happens at roughly one in three LA weddings I shoot, usually because of traffic on the 405 or the 101.
  • Template edits. Same song, same sequence, your names swapped in. It looks fine until you watch three of their films back to back.
  • Endless turnaround. Six months for a film is not unusual with budget crews, because your edit waits behind forty others.

Honestly, I think a couple on a tight budget is better served by excellent photography alone plus a short, well-made film than by a cheap bundle that does both badly. Quality beats quantity every single time with wedding media, because you'll watch it for fifty years.

How many hours do you really need?

For a typical Southern California timeline, getting ready at 1 PM, ceremony at 4:30, sunset portraits around 6, dinner and toasts, then dancing, you need about 8 to 10 hours to cover the story from start to finish. I wrote a whole piece on how many coverage hours most couples need, but the quick rule is simple: count from the first dress photo to 90 minutes after the first dance, then add 30 minutes of buffer.

This is why I dropped the hourly clock on my combined package. Your day shouldn't be edited by a stopwatch.

What I'd do if it were my wedding

If I were planning my own LA wedding with a $5,000 to $7,000 media budget, I'd book one studio for both, insist on two cinematographers so the ceremony has two angles, and make sure the full ceremony and speeches were edited as their own films. I'd skip extras like a same-day edit or a second photographer unless we had more than 150 guests. And I'd put whatever was left toward a printed album, because a gallery sitting in a Google Drive link doesn't get looked at the way a book on the coffee table does.

If the budget were closer to $3,000, I'd still book photo and video together, but I'd be very picky about who's behind each camera. Then I'd pay attention to the contract. When you compare wedding videography packages side by side, the fine print on turnaround and raw footage retention tells you more than any sample reel.

Wedding and videography packages: FAQ

How much is a wedding photography and videography package in Los Angeles?

Expect roughly $3,500 to $15,000 for both. My combined package starts at $3,500 for a single-day wedding; larger or multi-day celebrations are quoted individually.

Is it cheaper to bundle photo and video?

Usually, yes. Bundling with one studio typically saves $800 to $2,000 compared with hiring two separate vendors at the same quality level, plus you only pay one deposit and feed one crew.

How far ahead should we book a combined package?

Nine to fourteen months for popular Saturdays between April and October. Fridays, Sundays and winter dates can often be booked four to six months out.

Do we get the raw footage?

It depends on the studio. Many LA videographers only keep footage for 6 to 12 months, so ask before you sign and request a raw archive if it matters to you.

Can we pay for a package in installments?

Yes. Most studios, mine included, take a deposit to hold the date and split the balance across the months before the wedding. Financing through Affirm is also an option.

If you're comparing wedding and videography packages and want an honest read on what fits your day and your budget, I'd genuinely love to hear about your plans. Tell me your date, your venue and your guest count, and I'll tell you exactly what I'd recommend, even if it isn't me. Call or text 818.749.7039, or see our work and packages at ConneryFilm.com.

Meet the Author: Connery Davoodian Hello, I'm Connery Davoodian, the visionary behind ConneryFilm, and I'm thrilled to share insights from my 17-year journey through the world of wedding photography and videography. My passion extends beyond simply capturing images; it's about artfully weaving your unique love story into a timeless, cinematic masterpiece. My artistic path began long before I ever picked up a camera, deeply rooted in music as a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. This diverse background in directing, producing, and editing has cultivated a unique perspective, allowing me to approach each wedding not just as an event, but as a dynamic narrative waiting to be beautifully told. This blend of technical mastery and creative storytelling is the heartbeat of ConneryFilm, ensuring that every frame, every shot, and every film is infused with depth, emotion, and unparalleled artistic integrity. At ConneryFilm, we believe your wedding memories deserve nothing less than bespoke luxury. My philosophy centers on capturing the authentic, unscripted moments – the genuine smiles, the tender glances, the joyful laughter – that truly define your day. While we obsess over exquisite details and sophisticated aesthetics, our true joy comes from making you feel completely at ease, like a "friendor" who genuinely celebrates alongside you. This calm, organized presence allows your true personalities to shine, resulting in images and films that are as real and vibrant as your love itself. Based in the heart of Los Angeles, California, my team and I are privileged to serve couples across the globe, bringing our signature high-end wedding photography and videography to destination weddings worldwide. Through these blog posts, I aim to share invaluable insights, luxurious inspiration, and practical, fun advice to guide you through your wedding planning journey, helping you make informed decisions about preserving your most cherished moments. Thank you for trusting ConneryFilm to be a part of your extraordinary adventure. I'm excited to share my knowledge and passion with you, helping you create memories that will last forever.