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The Best Wedding Photographers in Queenstown

Updated 8 May 2024

Our Queenstown wedding photographers guide covers:​​​

How much do Queenstown wedding photographers cost?

​You can expect your wedding photographer cost to run you anywhere between $2,000 to $5,000 (or even more), depending on the experience of your photographer along with what they include in your wedding package. Wedding photography packages will typically cover 8 hours, on average.

5 things to ask your wedding photographer before agreeing to a quote

  1. What are the package prices? Knowing this upfront will let you determine if the photographer is within your budget. 
  2. Are there travel costs? Most photographers will travel within the Queenstown region as part of their package, but be sure to ask what the deal is. 
  3. Can friends and family view and buy images? Ideally you'll want the option to share the images with your loved ones before purchasing, so a photographer who offers an online platform to do this will save time.
  4. How long will the photographer stay at the wedding? This is very important to avoid missing any extra-special moments. A good amount of time is 8 hours, but cheaper packages can reduce this time.  
  5. How long before you can see pictures after the wedding? Some photographers will be able to turnaround photos within one week, but the standard time is four to six weeks. This ensures the photographs are properly edited etc.
​

Top 10 Most Sought-After Queenstown Wedding Photographers

​Our list below, which is no particular order, highlights popular Queenstown-based wedding photographers. We have selected these based on their history of longstanding service within Queenstown, location and data extracted from internet reviews on Google Business, Facebook, TradeMe Services and others.

222 Photographic Studios

222 Photographic Studios has more than 13 years of experience as a wedding photographer. They have already helped countless couples across Otago and Queenstown. Their service includes helicopter destination wedding photography, engagement photography and even personal portraits.
Google Rating:  4.8/5
Base: Kelvin Heights, Queenstown
Website: 222 Photographic Studios
Facebook page: 222 Photographic Studios
Email address: [email protected]
Phone: 027 326 4355
​
What customers like:   
  • Personable, creative and passionate photographer
  • Knows all the beautiful places for photoshoot
  • Makes their clients look very relaxed
  • Puts the client at ease while taking the best shots
  • Listens to what the couples want
  • Offers great after-service
Services include but not limited to:    
  • Elopement photography
  • Wedding photography
  • Couples and engagement photography
  • Portraits
  • Corporate and events photography

Nomad Weddings (James Hirata)

James Hirata - Queenstown Wedding & Elopement Photographer is an award-winning photographer in both New Zealand and Australia. James Hirata is a well-known Japanese national and has been capturing weddings since 2013. His works have been featured in top Japanese wedding publications, Wandering Weddings, SLR Lounge and Looks Like Film.
​Google Rating: 4.9/5
Base: Frankton, Queenstown
Website: James Hirata
Facebook page: James Hirata
Email address: [email protected]
Phone: 021 0265 7122

What customers like:   
  • Works with passion and dedication to their work
  • Goes above and beyond to provide the clients with a stress-free wedding
  • Captures stunning photos
  • Responds quickly
  • Answers all questions completely
  • Makes the client comfortable during the photoshoot 
Services include but not limited to:    
  • Wedding photography
  • Elopement photoshoot
  • Pre-wedding photoshoot
  • Helicopter pre-wedding shoot

Carla Mitchell Photography

Carla Mitchell Photography is a wedding and elopement photography based in Queenstown, New Zealand. For over seven years, Carla Mitchell has been capturing beautiful couple photos. She offers her talent not only to locals but also to foreigners with different cultures.
​Google Rating: 5.0/5 
Base: Arthurs Point, Queenstown
Website: Carla Mitchell Photography
Facebook page: Carla Mitchell Photography
Email address: [email protected]
Phone: 021 163 6499
​
What customers like:   
  • Captures the love in their photographs
  • Goes way above and beyond to meet the client’s requests
  • Friendly, efficient, and attentive
  • Shows the love and passion for photography
  • Makes the clients feel comfortable
Services include but not limited to:    
  • Weddings
  • Elopements
  • Couple photos

Fallon Photography

Fallon Photography has been providing wedding photography service in Queenstown since 2002. They make sure to capture wedding photos that are relaxed, natural, and beautiful. Fallon Photography has an excellent knowledge of Queenstown’s best wedding spots and ideal timing for a wedding.
​Google Rating: 5.0/5 
Base: Mobile only
Website: Fallon Photography
Facebook page: Fallon Photography
Email address: [email protected]
Phone: 021 737 356
​
What customers like:   
  • Takes amazing engagement photos
  • Enthusiastic and professional
  • Willing to go the extra mile for their clients
  • Efficient and prompt communication
  • Relaxed, fun and genuine approach
  • Makes the wedding day easy and stress-free
  • Captures beautiful photos
Services include but not limited to:    
  • Elopement photography
  • Wedding photography
  • Proposal photography

Rich Bayley Queenstown Wedding Photography

Rich Bayley Queenstown Wedding Photography captures the natural and unique connection of each couple. They have more than 18 years of experience in engagement photography, pre-wedding shoots, small elopements and full-day weddings. Apart from photography, they can help arrange flights mountaintop locations in Queenstown for Heli weddings.
Google Rating: 5.0/5
Base: Lake Hayes Estate, Queenstown 
Website: Rich Bayley Queenstown Wedding Photography
Facebook page: Rich Bayley Queenstown Wedding Photography
Email address: [email protected]
Phone: 021 189 3348 ​
​
What customers like:   
  • Comfortable to be with
  • Quick turn around
  • Highly professional and trustworthy photographer
  • Communicative during the process
  • Makes it easy to coordinate from overseas clients
  • Fun to have around
Services include but not limited to:    
  • Wedding photography
  • Pre-wedding photoshoots
  • Elopement photography
  • Engagement photography

Williams Photography

Williams Photography is a professional wedding planner and photographer in Queenstown. Their expertise lies in providing the best mountain and Heli wedding experience. They help with helicopter booking as well as finding the greatest wedding location.
​Google Rating: 5.0/5 
Base: Stanley Street, Queenstown 
Website: Williams Photography 
Facebook page: Williams Photography 
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 021 746 864

What customers like:   
  • Does not hold up the event to create the perfect shots
  • Good value for money
  • Has a relaxed and friendly vibe
  • A professional, creative and skilled photographer
Services include but not limited to:    
  • Wedding photographer
  • Heli wedding planner

Kellie Francis Photography

Kellie Francis Photography is a wedding, elopement and couple photographer based in Queenstown, New Zealand. Unlike more common photographers, Kellie Francis focuses on unscripted and in-between moments of couples. She prefers relaxed photoshoots with a documentary approach and minimal direction.
Google Rating: 5.0/5 
Base: Shotover Country, Queenstown
Website: Kellie Francis Photography
Facebook page: Kellie Francis Photography
Email address: [email protected]
Phone: 020 4001 9908
​
What customers like:   
  • Friendly and easy communication
  • Goes above and beyond to help their clients
  • Makes sure to capture what clients wanted to express
  • Knowledgeable of great wedding locations in Queenstown
  • Responsive and very professional
  • Available on Skype and emails
Services include but not limited to:    
  • Wedding photography
  • Elopement photography
  • Couple photography ​

Aiste Photography

Aiste Photography provides destination wedding and photography tour services in North Island and South Island. Her focus is on capturing the genuine, candid, fun and weird love of each couple. Aiste can photograph engagements, pre-weddings, post-weddings and all photography requests in Queenstown, Wanaka, Glenorchy, Central Otago anywhere across New Zealand.
Google Rating: 5.0/5 
Base: Mobile only  
Website: Aiste Photography
Facebook page: Aiste Photography
Email address: [email protected]
Phone: 021 154 5166

​What customers like:
  • Fabulous photographs
  • Relaxed, funny and talented photographer
  • Knowledgeable about great locations in Queenstown
  • Excellent customer service
Services include but not limited to:    
  • Engagement
  • Wedding photography
  • Couples photography
  • Maternity, newborn and family portraits
  • Holiday snaps

​Kate Craig-Brown Photography

Kate Craig-Brown Photography has a natural and fun approach when it comes to taking photos. She takes her clients to the best spots in Queenstown with epic sceneries. No fake smiles required – just the raw and honest moments.
Google Rating: 5.0/5
Base: Goldfield Heights, Queenstown 
Website: Kate Craig-Brown Photography
Facebook page: Kate Craig-Brown Photography
Email address: [email protected]
Phone: 027 318 5947

What customers like:   
  • Makes her client feel comfortable during the shoot
  • Friendly, fun and helpful photographer
  • Knowledgeable about Queenstown’s best photoshoot locations
  • Highly responsive during the planning stage
  • Listen to what the clients want
Services include but not limited to:    
  • Wedding
  • Elopements
  • Couple Photography
  • Videography
  • Pre-wedding photoshoots
  • Solo sessions

Destination & Heli Weddings NZ

Destination & Heli Weddings NZ is the first Heli Wedding company in Queenstown that started in 2007. Since then, they have catered for more than 1000 weddings and has owned the largest commercial photography studio in Queenstown. They provide photography services for small weddings and bespoke New Zealand elopements.
​Google Rating: 4.8/5
Base: Frankton, Queenstown
Website: Destination & Heli Weddings NZ
Facebook page: Destination & Heli Weddings NZ
Email address: [email protected]
Phone:  03 442 3377
​
What customers like:  
  • Friendly and easy communication
  • Makes their client feel at ease
  • Photos produced looks professional and beautiful 
  • Highly organized and helpful in planning weddings and photography service
  • Made sure to capture all important moments
Services include but not limited to:    
  • Heli weddings photography
  • Elopements
  • Adventure weddings
  • Small weddings
​

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4 Ways to Save Money on a Wedding Photographer

We've outlined five important tips to help save you money on your wedding photographer while still getting the perfect pictures. 
  1. Look first at a photographer that's within your budget. There's no point for shortlisting someone more expensive than you can afford, as you're likely to be unable to afford the extra options later on. You have very little ability to negotiate downwards, so there's no point in trying. Avoid stress and look for someone who is new to the business (but still proven) that is looking to grow their portfolio. 
  2. Book your photographer early. It's not uncommon for certain photographers to offer a discount for doing so, and if you don't, you're at least locking in a price. 
  3. Opt for digital. Photographers charge a lot upfront for a digital package, but you will own the rights and can print them off as needed. This gives you complete flexibility on where and when you print them, and can send them to family members via email etc.
  4. Hire a photographer for less time. Your wedding photographer doesn't need to stay for the whole day, and limiting their time will significantly reduce the cost, both by way of hourly charges and processing time.
⚠️​ Disclaimer: MoneyHub.co.nz has no financial or otherwise relationship with any businesses listed on this page. The pricing information provided is for informational and guidance purposes only and may not accurately represent the actual quotes or final bills for individual services. No provider has paid to appear on our website, and this list should not be considered comprehensive. Please research and obtain quotes directly from a range of businesses to ensure accurate pricing and suitability for your needs.