Wellington Wedding Photographers

by Avya Hlavac | 12 Mar 2024

As we've touched on in our Wellington wedding vendors blog, photography is undoubtedly one of the best investments you can make for your wedding day.

It's a once-in-a-lifetime kind of occasion and worth capturing well.

Thankfully, Wellington is inundated with incredible photographers.

Though this is great news, it can make the selection process difficult.

With so many options, how do you narrow them down and find the photographer for you?

There are several factors to consider - style, personality and budget.

Much like dating, you have to be compatible!

You'll spend most of the day with your wedding photographer, so it's important that you get on.

Many photographers offer obligation-free catch-ups in person or via video call, allowing you to get to know each other before locking in the booking.

Another tip is to read reviews.

Find out what previous couples say about their experience with your prospective photographer. 

Documentary-style, authentic, timeless. What does it all mean?

The honest truth is that many photographers are terrible at describing their own work.

When browsing photographers, you'll often come across the same few buzz words such as "authentic" or "timeless" and it can be hard to decipher what those words actually mean in the context of photography.

It may seem obvious, but the best way to get to know a photographer's style really is to do a deep dive into their work, as opposed to reading what they say about their work.

Browse their online galleries, social media and tagged photos to gain an understanding of their shooting style. 

How much does wedding photography cost?

As we've said, good photography is an investment—but one that'll pay you back over the course of your life.

Great photographs transcend the ever-evolving world of wedding trends and will stand the test of time. 

Generally, you can tell a photographer's experience by how much they charge.

Below is an approximate guide of what you can expect based on what you spend. 

For $1,500 - $2,500, you might hire a photographer who is relatively new to the business. Photography may be a side hustle, and they're trying to expand their portfolio before taking it to the next level. 

The mid-range is $3,000- $4,000, and this photographer might have 2-3 years of experience. 

For over $5,000, you can expect an experienced photographer for whom photography is their full-time gig. 

It's pretty crucial that your expectation is set.

You can't expect the world from your family friend who has a camera, nor can you turn your nose at the cost of an expert photographer. 

At the end of the day, your photos should be about your wedding day. Your wedding day shouldn't be about your photos. 

With that in mind, we're proud to present our top selection of Wellington wedding photographers. 

August & Vine

Image by August & Vine

Let us introduce Sam from August & Vine. She's here to capture the feeling. Driven by the belief that your wedding is a celebration and not a performance, Sam will work behind the scenes rather than orchestrating moments or poses. 

"Sam is an amazing photographer, and I loved having her capture our wedding. She took the time to get to know both my husband and me and really listened to the kind of images we hoped for. She was both directive (which I really wanted) but also captured the beauty of us being us using her magic eye. You can tell she really cares about what she does, and we both felt so special in our interactions with Sam. I would book Sam in a heartbeat to capture our precious life moments, and I am in love with the photos she has given us!"

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Patina Photo + Video

Image by Patina Photo + Video

Michelle & Hemi are some of the region's very best. They're based in Wellington but frequent flyers when it comes to weddings. Their work is all about reliving the greatest party you've ever thrown and going back in time to the feeling of that day.

"They captured the emotion and the atmosphere of the day beautifully and made everyone feel at ease. Not only are Michelle and James incredibly talented photographers, they also have the kindest souls and are a joy to work with. It really felt like they were just part of the party! Thank you, Michelle and Hemi, for the beautiful memories (from the photos but also from the time spent with you. Running around an overgrown greenhouse is one of my favourite moments from the day)."

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Tim & Nadine

Image by Tim & Nadine 

Tim & Nadine are photographers who love to work with negative space, clean lines and honest emotion to capture unforgettable shots. Weddings have taken them to the ends of the earth, but Wellington is considered home base.

"It takes a special kind of magic to bring back all the emotions and wonderful intensity you feel on your wedding day. Every time we look at our photos, we are reminded of the pure joy we felt that day. Besides saying yes to one another, the best decision we made for our wedding was having Tim and Nadine Photography capture our day."
 

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Auburn Photography

Photography by Auburn Photography

Jess shoots weddings with the intent of making you feel fully seen and deeply loved. Her calming energy will help you to slow down and appreciate the small pockets of quiet throughout your day. She's also known to get amongst the party, capturing the bold and brilliant moments.

"It’s like hanging out with your bestie! Jess made us laugh, and we felt super relaxed around her. Her bubbly and calm energy helped us feel so comfortable in front of the camera. The experience was super fun and light-hearted. We are in love with our pictures, and we couldn’t recommend her more!"

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Jinal Govind

Image by Jinal Govind 

Based in Queenstown for winter and Wellington for summer, Jinal Govind is a sought-after wedding photographer with an affinity for the outdoors. Couples are drawn to not only his beautiful photography but also his top banter and infectious energy.

Jinal is beyond talented and really knows his stuff. He also has the most amazing personality and sense of humour, which helps more than you would realize on your wedding day. His calm nature kept Bridezilla at bay, so that is an accomplishment in itself! I am an absolute control freak, but I didn't need to be at all with Jinal—he had everything sorted and then some!
 

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Yvonne Liew Photography

Image by Yvonne Liew Photography

Yvonne Liew captures fun and effortless photography that allows you to be you. Blending documentary style with classic portraiture, the result is breathtaking.

"Yvonne made us feel very excited from the day we met her. She kept in touch with us throughout the whole process leading up to our wedding day with enthusiasm. Yvonne made us feel so beautiful and comfortable on our wedding day. She fit into our team so well, which was really important to us & the photos she produces are absolutely perfect. I would recommend Yvonne to anyone who wants someone who not only takes beautiful photos that you keep forever but also someone who genuinely enjoys the day with you."

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Jaymee Photography

Image by Jaymee Photography

Jaymee is a local creative whose easygoing nature flows through everything she puts her hand to. Drawn to the realness of love - Jaymee has an eye for the intimate moments within your day and will thoughtfully seek them out. 

"Jaymee has been fantastic to deal with from beginning to end! Such beautiful photos that we'll treasure for a long time to come. Highly recommend!"
 

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Candy Capco

Image by Candy Capco

As a self-described sucker for romance, Candy is in her element when capturing love in the flesh. She has well and truly immersed herself in the Wellington wedding industry over the last decade, becoming one of the region's most coveted wedding photographers.

“Candy is the most amazing photographer! She is laid back and listens to what you want. She is open to new ideas but will suggest even better ideas! She is helpful with the entire process of planning the wedding – not just the photos. On the day, she works behind the scenes and is so helpful with all the small things like a tricky veil or wedding dress. She knows her stuff! Candy did a magnificent job of capturing our theme, our love and our friends and family. I was blown away by how she is able to capture those ‘moments’ on film, the tears, the love, the fun and the marriage. I HIGHLY recommend Candy Capco.”

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Benjamin and Elise

Image by Benjamin & Elise

Meet Benjamin and Elise, a husband & wife duo thrilled to capture celebrations in all their glory. These two have been described as kind, personable, knowledgeable and very enthusiastic - the perfect addition to your wedding day.

"Benjamin was professional but relaxed and fitted perfectly into our day. He made us feel at ease in front of the camera. A lot of our guests also commented on how great Benjamin was, especially getting involved in the dancefloor while snapping pics. We had the best time; thanks for capturing it so authentically, Benjamin! We will treasure these pictures forever!"

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David Le Photography

Image by David Le

David's work is crisp, timeless & classic. The kind of photography that'll never go out of style. With the belief that your experience is equally as important as the result - he delivers stress-free client journeys, from initial catch-up to post-wedding day.  

"Dave was just the best. So lovely and chill to work with and definitely helped my hubby and I relax on the big day. Our photos are just completely perfect and he captured us and our wedding party exactly as we are. We are so so so happy with our wedding photos and I can’t stop scrolling through them and reliving the big day! We have also ordered a bunch from his website- which arrived quickly and were great quality."

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V Visuals

Image by V Visual

V Visuals is an award-winning team of photographers, videographers and well-rounded creatives capturing weddings in New Zealand and Europe. Their work is known to evoke emotion and bring even strangers to tears. Taking on a limited number of weddings per year in order to truly dedicate themselves to each one - you'd be lucky to have these guys locked in for your special day! 

"My husband and I recently worked with Vivi and her amazing team and we honestly cannot thank her enough! She went above and beyond for us and captured the most beautiful and magical day. If you ever need a photographer/videographer, I’d highly recommend Vivi and her team. They’re just a team of professionals, humble and easy going people who are such a pleasure to work with. 10/10 service!"
 

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Billie Brook

Image by Billie Brook

Billie is a Wellington-based photographer with a knack for bringing out the joy in every moment. Energised by meeting people, exploring new places and celebrating - weddings are second nature to her! 

"Billie is one of a kind. Her incredibly kind, bubbly nature helps to put everyone at ease, and she really knows how to get people laughing and smiling naturally to produce beautiful, candid photos. We are super stoked with the photos we have received so far and will be recommending Billie to anyone we know who gets engaged."
 

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Jo Moore Photographer

Image by Jo Moore


Jo Moore is both a calming presence and an absolute weapon behind the lens - a true asset for your wedding day. Even the most camera-shy brides speak of her ability to make the process not only seamless but delightful. With a tailored approach, Jo offers petite, midweek and winter packages - so as to cater to every budget and preference.

"Jo absolutely nailed what we wanted - bright, vivid, relaxed and fun! Jo was great to deal with leading up to the day with consistent and clear communication. On the day Jo was both calming and fun to have with us, she didn’t miss a beat and made everyone feel comfortable in front of the camera. Our photos are beyond amazing and we couldn’t have asked for better."

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Kirsten Walsh

Image by Kirsten Walsh

Kirsten Walsh's clients rave about her easy-going nature, organisation, professionalism and of course, her incredible photos!

"We are so blown away with your work, it's honestly so hard to choose favourites and I can't put into words how much I love all of our photos. You have captured the essence of us so well."

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Lucy Li Photography

Image by Luci L

Lucy Li is a wedding photographer for those who are open to being captured in the messy beauty of love and life. Her style is modern and raw and she works to capture the nuance in each moment.

"Lucy is an absolute gem, and we were delighted to have her capture our wedding in Hawke’s Bay. Her warmth, kindness and professionalism made us feel completely at ease. Lucy provided such valuable guidance in the lead up to our wedding to make sure we achieved everything we were after. Much like us, our guests were also singing her praises. She is incredibly talented and we are thrilled with our photos. We couldn’t recommend Lucy enough!"

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