How Traveling Wedding and Elopement Photographers Can Make Over Six Figures a Year
Making six figures as a traveling wedding photographer isn’t about shooting more weddings—it’s about building a brand, pricing intentionally, and creating income that isn’t tied to being on a plane every weekend. The photographers hitting $100k+ years are rarely the busiest ones. They’re the most strategic.
Here’s how they actually do it.
1. High-Value, Experience-Driven Pricing
Six-figure photographers don’t sell “hours.” They sell experience.
Traveling couples aren’t just hiring you for photos—they’re hiring you for:
Your eye
Your locations knowledge
Your ability to create an effortless, elevated experience
This allows you to charge $8k–$15k+ per wedding or elopement, especially for destination or non-traditional celebrations.
Example math:
15 weddings × $8,000 = $120,000
10 weddings × $10,000 = $100,000
You don’t need volume—you need value.
2. Position Yourself as a Specialist (Not a Generalist)
The fastest way to raise your prices is to niche down.
Six-figure traveling photographers are often known for one thing:
Destination elopements
Editorial-style weddings
Adventure weddings
Luxury intimate celebrations
When couples feel like you’re the photographer for their vision, price becomes secondary.
General photographers compete on cost.
Specialists get paid.
3. Build a Brand That Attracts the Right Couples
Your Instagram, website, and blog should clearly say:
“This is for couples who value experience, intention, and art.”
That means:
Strong storytelling captions
Blog posts that speak directly to your ideal couple
Consistent visual identity
When your brand is dialed in, you stop convincing—and start attracting.
4. Charge for Travel (Strategically)
Six-figure photographers don’t eat travel costs—they price them in.
Options include:
All-inclusive packages
Flat destination fees
Minimum spend for international weddings
Couples planning destination weddings expect higher budgets. You’re not “too expensive”—you’re aligned with their reality.
5. Create Income That Isn’t Tied to Shooting
This is where the real scalability happens.
Many traveling photographers add:
Education (presets, courses, mentorships)
Brand partnerships
Commercial or editorial work
Licensing images
Even $2k–$5k/month in non-shooting income makes six figures sustainable instead of exhausting.
6. Fewer Weddings, Higher Profit
The goal isn’t gross income—it’s profit.
Six-figure photographers often:
Shoot 10–20 weddings a year
Travel intentionally (not constantly)
Outsource editing, blogging, and admin
Less burnout = better work = higher demand.
7. Be Selective With Yes
Not every inquiry is meant to convert.
The photographers making real money:
Say no to misaligned couples
Protect their energy and calendar
Leave room for dream bookings
Confidence attracts confidence—and higher budgets.
The Truth No One Talks About
Six figures isn’t about luck, algorithms, or going viral.
It’s about:
Knowing your worth
Charging accordingly
Building a brand that supports the life you want
Traveling wedding photography can absolutely be a six-figure career—without sacrificing your sanity.