How much does a wedding photographer cost in St. Augustine?

Most St. Augustine wedding photographers charge 3,000 to 6,500 dollars for eight hours of coverage in 2026, with established names and full-day packages with a second shooter running 7,000 dollars and up. Elopement and small-ceremony packages of two to four hours are typically 1,000 to 2,200 dollars. Adding video from the same studio usually adds 2,500 to 5,000 dollars.

What does a family beach photo session cost in Ponte Vedra or St. Augustine Beach?

A one-hour family session on the beach usually costs 350 to 700 dollars including 30 to 60 edited digital images. Mini sessions of 15 to 20 minutes, common in October and November, run 175 to 350 dollars. Extended family groups and sessions that add a second location like the Castillo lawn cost more.

Do I need a permit to take photos downtown or at the Castillo?

Personal snapshots do not need a permit. Commercial photography, which includes paid portrait sessions, may require a permit in certain City of St. Augustine properties and at Castillo de San Marcos, which is a National Park Service site with its own rules. State parks such as Anastasia and Washington Oaks have their own fees. Your photographer should know the current rules, and if they are not sure, ask the office in question.

What is the best time of year for photos in St. Johns County?

October through April has the best light and the least humidity. Fall is the busiest season for family sessions because of holiday cards, so book by early September. Summer works at sunrise or the last hour of daylight, but afternoon storms are frequent. Nights of Lights downtown, from mid-November to late January, is popular but crowded.

How much is real estate photography and drone video?

Standard real estate photo packages in St. Johns County run 175 to 350 dollars for 25 to 40 images depending on home size. Adding drone stills is typically 100 to 200 dollars, and a short walkthrough video runs 300 to 700 dollars. Luxury listings in Ponte Vedra and Palencia often bundle twilight photos, video, and a floor plan for 800 to 1,500 dollars.

How far out should I book?

For a Saturday wedding in St. Augustine between October and May, book 9 to 14 months ahead. Family and senior sessions usually need 2 to 6 weeks, more in October. Commercial and real estate work can often be scheduled within a week. Holiday mini sessions typically sell out when they are announced in late summer.

Photographers & Videographers in Jacksonville & Northeast Florida, FL

Photographers & Videographers in Northeast Florida

St. Johns County is one of the most photographed places in Florida, and local photographers and videographers know the spots: the Castillo lawn and Aviles Street downtown, the Lightner courtyard, the dunes at Ponte Vedra and Vilano, the live oaks at Washington Oaks and Alpine Groves, and the St. Augustine Beach pier at sunrise. Weddings are the biggest market, followed by family beach sessions in fall and spring, senior portraits for Bartram Trail, Nease, Creekside, Ponte Vedra, and St. Augustine High, real estate photo and drone work for the busy housing market, and brand video for local businesses. Some downtown locations require a city permit for commercial shoots, and drone pilots need an FAA Part 107 certificate. Nights of Lights from mid-November through January is beautiful and crowded, so book early and expect tourists in the frame.

How to choose a photographer & video in Northeast Florida

Look at full galleries, not just the highlight reel

Anyone can post ten great images. Ask to see a complete wedding or family session from start to finish, ideally one shot in harsh midday light or indoors at a venue like the Treasury or the Lightner. That shows you what you will actually receive.

Match the style to the location

A photographer who shoots bright, airy beach sessions at Ponte Vedra may not be the one for a moody evening reception in the Alcazar courtyard. St. Augustine's historic district rewards people who know how to work with mixed light and crowds. Ask what they shoot most often.

Confirm what is included and when you get it

Get the number of edited images, the delivery timeline, print rights, and whether raw files are available in writing. Wedding turnaround in this market is commonly 6 to 10 weeks. Ask whether a second shooter and engagement session are part of the package or extras.

Ask about permits, drones, and backup gear

Commercial shoots in some City of St. Augustine locations and at state parks need a permit, and the photographer should handle that. Drone work requires an FAA Part 107 license and some areas near the airport and downtown are restricted. A pro carries two camera bodies and backs up cards the same night.

Read the contract for weather and rescheduling

Afternoon storms from June through September and hurricane season through November are real here. Know what happens if the shoot is rained out, whether the deposit transfers, and how much notice is needed. Beach sessions are often scheduled for sunrise or the last hour before sunset to dodge both heat and storms.

Ashley Dye | St Augustine & Jacksonville Wedding Photographer

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Photographer & Video in St. Augustine, FL

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