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

Offer from vendor

Free Instant Film Photobooth for 2027 Weddings

Book any wedding package by Dec 31 and get my instant film photobooth free ($300 value). Guests take home real instant prints as keepsakes. Mention Zola when you reach out.

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

39 reviews

  • JJ

    Jordan J.

    Rating: 5
    •Zola
    •Oct 20

    Stephen’s The Perfect Wedding Photographer

    We used Stephen Lawson as our wedding photographer and we were beyond impressed! We had previously had Stephen capture a fall photoshoot and photograph an engagement session. Each time we’ve had Stephen as our photographer he’s demonstrated a flawless ability to capture great photos, maintain professionalism, and work well with photo subjects and initiate posing. Stephen was able to photograph our wedding perfectly. He was on time to get us getting ready and we were able to add-on a second photographer easily for the wedding ceremony. Stephen worked within a budget and was very amenable when we had ideas for types of shots or photo/video setups. Utilizing Stephen’s photography services we were able to get full coverage of the day and come out of our wedding with a plethora of photos that we not only enjoyed taking but that we’ll cherish for years to come. We couldn’t have asked for a better photographer with more attention to detail and an eye for great shots. We also enjoyed being able to have 35mm and medium format film photos to take away from our event with his film photography add-on. All in all we were exceedingly pleased with Stephen and so were our guests and wedding party. We’d definitely hire Stephen again for a family photoshoot or another event. We couldn’t be happier with the quality of our photo gallery from Stephen and his skill and professionalism.

    Stephen Lawson•Oct 20, 2026

    Hi Jordan, thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review. It was truly a pleasure photographing you and Jordie's big day!

  • VO

    Valerie O.

    Rating: 5
    •Zola
    •Oct 20

    Just what we needed

    We hired Stephen for our son's wedding. It was a fairly small and special event on a holiday and Stephen said yes. We are grateful for that answer and even more so with him - he carefully got all the specific pictures requested but we were even more excited by his buying into the atmosphere of the evening and caught some very special moments that we have treasured. He was unobtrusive and yet present in every moment to capture the special night that it was.

    Stephen Lawson•Oct 20, 2026

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

  • 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!

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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