Should I Get Combined Photo and Video for My Wedding?
Should I Get Combined Photo and Video for My Wedding? An Honest Answer From Someone Who Does Both
This is one of the most common questions I get, and most photographers — even those who do both — don't answer it honestly. So here it is: combined photo and video from the same person makes logistical sense and can produce better results than two separate vendors, but only if the photographer genuinely does both well. If the video is an afterthought, it's better to hire someone who specializes.
I am Casey Addason, a Santa Fe photographer and videographer. I have covered weddings with both photo and video since I started, and I have a clear view of what combined coverage actually looks like on your wedding day.
The real argument for combined coverage
Two separate vendors competing for the same moments is the actual problem most couples don't think about until the day. The photographer wants a clear sightline for the first kiss. The videographer needs to position for the same moment. One wins. Both are frustrated. When I do both, there is one set of decisions and one visual language across every image and every frame of film.
The practical savings are real too. Most photographers charge a second-shooter fee. A dedicated videographer typically runs $2,500–$5,000 for weddings at top Santa Fe venues. Combined packages from Casey Addason Photography start at $4,800 — less than photo plus a separate videographer at the lower end of the market.
What you give up
You're trading specialization for consistency. A cinematographer who only shoots video, all day every day, will produce a more technically polished film than a photographer who also shoots video. If you want a highly produced short film with drone footage and cinematic color grading, hire a dedicated filmmaker. If you want authentic documentation of what actually happened, a documentary approach from a single photographer-videographer works extremely well.
Questions to ask
Before booking anyone for combined coverage: See a full gallery AND a full film from the same wedding. Not a highlight reel — a full ceremony edit. Ask how audio is captured (a camera mic is not enough — you need a dedicated audio solution for vows). Ask the delivery timeline for both. Ask what happens if the camera fails during the ceremony.
Combined packages from Casey Addason Photography
Full wedding day combined packages start at $4,800 and include photo coverage, a ceremony edit, a 4–6 minute highlight film, and social media clips. Elopement combined packages start at $2,200. All packages include commercial usage rights. For full details, see the Santa Fe wedding videographer page. To check availability, reach out here.
