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The Best Wedding Photographers in Christchurch

Updated 2 May 2023

Our Christchurch wedding photographers guide covers:​​​

How much do Christchurch 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 Christchurch 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.
​

The Best Christchurch Wedding Photographers

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

​Mandy Caldwell Photography

Base: Fendalton, Christchurch
Hours: 24/7
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website:  Mandy Caldwell Photography
Facebook Page: Mandy Caldwell Photography
Instagram: Mandy Caldwell Photography
Email address: info@mandycaldwell.co.nz
​Phone:  022 500 7008
 
Customer Feedback:
  • A photographer with a bright and bubbly personality
  • Makes the clients feel at ease
  • Professional and calm during the photoshoot
  • Promptly respond to emails
  • Friendly and approachable photographer
 
Pros:
  • Captures the joy and intimacy of the celebration
  • Photos look natural yet creative 
 
Cons:
  • None
 
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
  • Mandy Caldwell Photography is a Christchurch based wedding photographer
  • Takes a documentary approach to capture the special moments of the wedding
  • Offers services for family portraiture and newborn photography

Stanley Pictures

Base: Mobile only
Hours: 24/7
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website:  Currently unavailable
Facebook Page: None
Instagram: Stanley Pictures
Email address: Not specified
Phone:  022 133 0993

Customer Feedback:
  • Knowledgeable about the great places for photoshoots
  • Professional and friendly photographer
  • Makes the clients feel comfortable
  • Easy to deal with
  • Photos come out beautifully and natural-looking
 
Pros:
  • Makes sure all the essential photos are taken
 
Cons:
  • Primarily focuses on families and weddings photography only
 
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
  • Stanley Pictures is a wedding photographer servicing the Christchurch area
  • With 20 years of practising photography, Stanley’s hobby has become a full-grown business capturing all special moments of couples and families around the city
  • Provides services for wedding photography, family photoshoot and couples photoshoot

​Grey Area Productions Wedding Photography

Base: Fendalton, Christchurch
Hours: 24/7
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website:  Grey Area Productions Wedding Photography
Facebook Page: Grey Area Productions Wedding Photography
Instagram: Grey Area Productions Wedding Photography
Email address: andrew@greyareaproductions.com
​Phone:  027 345 0146
 
Customer Feedback:
  • Accommodating and easy to work with
  • Photos and videos are beautifully edited
  • Great client communication
  • Excellent quality and work time frame
 
Pros:
  • Seamlessly captures the moment
  • Willing to travel overseas where the work requires them
 
Cons:
  • Only caters wedding photography and videography 
 
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
  • Grey Area Productions Wedding Photography is driven by capturing simple beauty and natural moments of the wedding
  • Offers services for wedding photography and videography

​Bethany Howarth Photography

Base: Mobile only
Hours: Sat to Wed 9 am – 5 pm 
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website:  Bethany Howarth Photography
Facebook Page: Bethany Howarth Photography
Instagram: Bethany Howarth Photography
Email address: hello@bethanyhowarth.com
 Phone:  022 521 3311 
 
Customer Feedback:
  • Has a non-invasive approach
  • Very professional, informative and talented photographer
  • Passionate in capturing beautiful images
  • Helps the clients feel at ease during the photoshoot
 
Pros:
  • Makes the whole process smooth and stress-free.
  • Listens to what the client wants and their expected outcome
 
Cons:
  • None
 
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
  • Bethany Howarth Photography has photographed over 100 weddings in New Zealand and overseas for the past five years
  • Being an award-winning photographer, Bethany Howarth Photography genuinely captures the beautiful moments of the occasion.
  • Provides services for wedding photography, elopement photoshoots and engagements photoshoots

Stephanie Defregger Photography

Base: Cashmere, Christchurch
Hours: Mon to Fri 9 am – 4 pm 
Google Review rating: 4.9/5
Website:  Stephanie Defregger Photography
Facebook Page: Stephanie Defregger Photography
Instagram: Stephanie Defregger Photography
Email address: stephanie@stephaniedefregger.com
​Phone:  0210 239 4395
 
Customer Feedback:
  • Unobtrusive, kind and humble photographer
  • Captured photos have natural, warm, and genuine expressions
  • Respectful towards clients
 
Pros:
  • Passionate about capturing the moment
  • Highly organised
 
Cons:
  • No weekends operation 
 
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
  • Handmade Photography was previously known as Stephanie Defregger Photography
  • Focuses on capturing the soul of the event, place and person.
  • Works on weddings, brands and portraits of people from all walks of life

Tracey Allsopp Photographer

Base: Mobile only
Hours: Mon to Sat 8:30 am – 6 pm 
Google Review rating: 4.9/5
Website:  Tracey Allsopp Photographer
Facebook Page: Tracey Allsopp Photographer
Instagram: Tracey Allsopp Photographer
Email address: traceya.artist@gmail.com
​Phone:  027 544 4057
 
Customer Feedback:
  • Makes the whole process easy and comfortable
  • Professional and fun photographer
  • Makes the client feel at ease during the photoshoot
 
Pros:
  • Capture photos that look timeless and romantic
 
Cons:
  • None 
 
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
  • Tracey Allsopp Photographer has been professional shooting for more than 15 years in Christchurch
  • Offers wedding photography and makeup
  • Has passion for capturing beautiful things that tell a story

Kurt Langer Photographer

Base: Beckenham, Christchurch
Hours: Mon to Fri 9 am – 5 pm 
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Kurt Langer Photographer
Facebook Page: Kurt Langer Photographer 
Instagram: None  
Email address: kurt@kurtlanger.com
​Phone: 021 407 506
  
 Customer Feedback:
  • Talented and creative photographer 
  • He makes the clients feel relaxed and comfortable during the photoshoot 
  • Has his own amazing studio 
  • Works within the budget 
  • Able to spot the opportunities for a winning image 
  • The photoshoot becomes an easygoing and fun experience 
 
Pros:
  • Covering a wide range of photography 
  • Able to shoot more than 3000 images for a wedding 
  • Service includes refining and enhancement of images 
 
 Cons:
  • A non-refundable $350 deposit is required as partial payment   
 
 Important Must-know Facts and Services:
  • Kurt Langer is a Christchurch, New Zealand based photographer providing a wide range of photography services for weddings, maternity photoshoots, model portfolios, headshot portraiture, graduation portraits and boudoir.  
  • The service fee starts at $3700 for full wedding coverage. 

Nicole Gourley Photography

Base: Halswell, Christchurch
Hours: Mon to Sun 9 am – 5 pm 
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Nicole Gourley Photography
Facebook Page: Nicole Gourley Photography
Instagram: Nicole Gourley Photography 
Email address: nicolegourleyphotography@gmail.com
​Phone: 027 352 4563
  
Customer Feedback:
  • Captures high-quality photos in a short period of time 
  • Flexible and professional photographer 
  • Maintains great client communication 
  • She makes the whole process straightforward 
  • Offers helpful suggestions that result into great photos 

Pros:
  • Available during weekends 
  • Featured in Magnolia Rouge, Wild Hearts and Christchurch Weddings 

Cons:
  • Only accepting 25 weddings during summer 
 
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
  • Nicole Gourley takes on weddings, portraits, engagements, and family photography.
  • With a background in photojournalism, Nicole specialises in documentary-style photography.

Rebecca Claridge Photography

Base: Lincoln, Christchurch
Hours: 2/7
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Rebecca Claridge Photography
Facebook Page: Rebecca Claridge Photography
Instagram: Rebecca Claridge Photography
Email address: info@rebeccaclaridge.com
​Phone: 0210 413 510
  
Customer Feedback:
  • Produces high-quality photos 
  • A professional and friendly photographer 
  • She makes the client comfortable during the photoshoot 
  • Easy to communicate with 
  • Quick to respond 
  • Keeps in contact until the date of the wedding 

Pros:
  • Available 24/7 for enquiries
 
Cons:
  • None 

Important Must-know Facts and Services:
  • Rebecca Claridge offers coverage for weddings, couples, portraits and commercial photography. 
  • Available to shoot anywhere within and outside Christchurch.
  • Her style of photography is real, authentic and emotive. 
​

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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.