Stephen Lawson Photography

•Ratings include Zola and Google reviews

Full wedding (ceremony and reception) pricing

Prices start at $1,500

Elopement pricing

Prices start at $600

Packages

Prices start at $300

About Stephen Lawson Photography

Stephen Lawson

Owner & Lead Photographer

I’m Stephen Lawson, a wedding photographer and videographer based in Richmond, VA. I photograph weddings, elopements, and engagement sessions, from courthouse ceremonies and intimate backyard vows to full-day celebrations. My approach is relaxed and unscripted. I’ll guide you when it helps, but mostly I want you to enjoy your day while I capture how it actually felt. Every couple gets a personalized consultation before the wedding, a sneak peek within 72 hours, and a private online gallery. Most of my wedding packages include an engagement session, and I’m always glad to photograph your family as it grows after the wedding.

Film is a big part of what I do. Every wedding package includes real 35mm film alongside digital, developed and scanned by me, for a timeless look a filter can’t fake. Every couple also gets a private client portal where your engagement, rehearsal, wedding, and reception galleries live in one place, along with future family sessions as your family grows. Pricing is clear and upfront, and if a standard package doesn’t fit your day, I’ll build a custom quote that does.

Services

Services

  • Bride-only session
  • Drone photography
  • Engagement session
  • Extra hours
  • Image editing
  • Online proofing
  • Printing rights
  • Same-day edits
  • Second photographer

Photo formats

  • Digital
  • Film
  • Hybrid

Deliverables

  • Digital files
  • Digital rights
  • Online gallery
  • Photo box
  • Printed enlargements
  • Same/next-day sneak-peek images
  • Slideshow
  • Video
  • Wedding album

Stephen Lawson Photography packages

Elegant Essentials

4 hours

Peak pricing $1,500

Off-peak pricing $1,500

Description

Made for intimate weddings, courthouse ceremonies, and smaller celebrations with a focused timeline. Four hours is enough to cover the ceremony, family formals, couple portraits, and the key reception moments without feeling rushed. You’ll get a sneak peek within 72 hours and a real roll of 35mm film mixed in with your digital gallery.

What’s included
  • 4 hours of coverage
  • 400+ edited photos
  • Online gallery and client portal
  • Sneak peek within 72 hours
  • Personalized consultation
  • 1 roll of 35mm film

Cherished Celebration

6 hours

Peak pricing $2,000

Off-peak pricing $2,000

Description

For couples who want a little more room in the day. Six hours covers getting ready or first look through the ceremony, portraits, and the big reception moments like first dance, toasts, and cake. It includes an engagement session, so we can get comfortable working together before the wedding.

What’s included
  • 6 hours of coverage
  • 600+ edited photos
  • Engagement session
  • Online gallery and client portal
  • Sneak peek within 72 hours
  • Personalized consultation
  • 1 roll of 35mm film

Timeless Memories

8 hours

Peak pricing $2,400

Off-peak pricing $2,400

Description

Classic full-day coverage that lets the whole story unfold, from getting ready to the reception exit. This is my most popular choice for traditional weddings. It includes an engagement session and two rolls of 35mm film for a timeless look alongside your digital gallery.

What’s included
  • 8 hours of coverage
  • 800+ edited photos
  • Engagement session
  • Online gallery and client portal
  • Sneak peek within 72 hours
  • Personalized consultation
  • 2 rolls of 35mm film

Enchanted Bliss

10 hours

Peak pricing $3,000

Off-peak pricing $3,000

Description

Comprehensive coverage for larger weddings, multiple locations, or a packed timeline. Ten hours means nothing gets cut, including details, getting ready, the ceremony, portraits, and the full reception through the send-off. It includes an engagement session and three rolls of 35mm film.

What’s included
  • 10 hours of coverage
  • 900+ edited photos
  • Engagement session
  • Online gallery and client portal
  • Sneak peek within 72 hours
  • Personalized consultation
  • 3 rolls of 35mm film

Reviews

Write a review
Rating: 5.0

5.0 out of 5

37 reviews

  • CN

    Chris N

    Rating: 5
    •Google
    •Sep 9, 2026

    I highly recommend Stephen Lawson! He was able to manage our last minute booking, drove all the way to Lake Anna from Richmond, and was fantastic to work with. We are so happy with the photos and can't thank you enough! - Chris & family

    Stephen Lawson Photography•Sep 9, 2026

    Hi Chris, thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review! It was a pleasure working with you and your family! 🙂

  • IV

    Iri Ver

    Rating: 5
    •Google
    •Sep 1, 2026

    Stephen was wonderful to work with—attentive, professional, cooperative, and very easygoing throughout the shoot. When our original location became unavailable at the last minute, he adapted immediately and came up with a great alternative on the spot. He made the whole experience feel smooth and stress-free, and we absolutely love the photos—they turned out beautifully.

    Stephen Lawson Photography•Sep 9, 2026

    Hi Iri, thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review. I'm glad you like the photos! 😊

  • CH

    Chad Hatchel

    Rating: 5
    •Google
    •Aug 12, 2026

    Stephen was amazing! My wife loves the photos!

    Stephen Lawson Photography•Aug 13, 2026

    Hi Chad, thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review! It was a pleasure photographing you an Rebecca's special day!

  • MK

    Maggie DePaulo Kottke

    Rating: 5
    •Google
    •Jul 20, 2026

    Loved working with Stephen, the photos are truly incredible, capturing all the beauty of our 3 generation getaway on the lake. Thank you for giving us these lasting memories of a wonderful trip!!

    Stephen Lawson Photography•Jul 21, 2026

    Hi Maggie, it was a pleasure working with you and your family!! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review 🙂

  • SB

    Shana Bellow

    Rating: 5
    •Google
    •Jun 11, 2026

    We booked Stephen through our Air BNB for my son's graduation at VCU. The booking process was seamless and he was swift in communicating. He arrived promptly and brought wonderful ideas and a professional and friendly demeanor. He took great care in making sure we achieved the poses we desired and created a warm environment and great settings for the photos. We were able to take a short walk to campus to get some great shots with the VCU logo as well. The results were wonderful and of great quality. Would definitely work with Stephen again and book directly from his website.

    Stephen Lawson Photography•Jun 13, 2026

    Hi Shana, thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review! It was great working with you and your family :)

Yes. A second photographer can be added to any package for $150 an hour. A second shooter is great for larger weddings, for covering both partners getting ready at the same time, or for catching guest reactions during the ceremony while I focus on you two.
Most couples book 9 to 12 months out, especially for spring and fall Saturdays, which go first. That said, I take plenty of last-minute weddings and elopements too, so if your date is coming up soon, reach out and I’ll let you know if I’m available.
Every photo in your gallery is individually edited for color, exposure, and consistency. I cull out duplicates, blinks, and missed moments so you’re only getting the good ones. I don’t hand over unedited files, because the edit is a big part of the final look.
I do. I offer wedding films ranging from highlight films to full ceremony and speech edits, with options like drone footage and Super 8 film.
You’ll get a sneak peek within 72 hours, usually just in time to share with family and friends while everyone’s still talking about the wedding. Your full gallery is delivered within 4-6 weeks in your private client portal, alongside your engagement session and any future sessions we do together.
It depends on your package and how long I’m there. Galleries range from 200+ for a short elopement to 900+ for a full 10-hour wedding. Those numbers are minimums, so you’ll often get more, depending on how much is happening during the day.
Yes, I carry Full Frame insurance and can provide a certificate of insurance (COI) to your venue if they require one. Just send me their requirements and I’ll take care of it.
I bring backup camera bodies, lenses, batteries, and dual memory cards to every wedding, so equipment problems won’t stop the day. In the rare event I can’t be there because of an emergency, I’ll find a trusted photographer I know personally to cover your wedding, and I’ll still handle the editing myself so the style stays consistent. I haven't missed a wedding in my over 5 years of shooting weddings.
Yes, and it’s one of my favorite parts of a wedding. Every wedding package includes real 35mm film or medium format alongside digital, and I develop and scan it myself. Film gives you a warm, timeless look that’s hard to recreate with editing. Medium format film and an instant film photobooth are also available as add-ons.
Absolutely. I’m based in Richmond and regularly shoot in Hampton Roads, Williamsburg, and the DC area. Travel outside the Richmond metro is $100 per 50 miles round trip, and I’ll always include it upfront in your quote so there are no surprises.
Everything lives in your private client portal, including your engagement, rehearsal, wedding, and reception galleries, plus any family sessions we do down the road. It’s all in one place, so you never have to dig through old emails for a link.

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