Finding the Perfect Destination Wedding Photographer
Planning a wedding is stressful. There probably isn’t a single bride or groom on earth that would admit their wedding planning was an absolute breeze, something that they’d love to do over and over again. That’s because there are so many different aspects that need special attention, it almost becomes completely overwhelming for many.
Good news though, there are a number of tasks that can actually be outsourced. And sure, you’ll have to do your research before allowing someone else to take over, but once you feel confident with a professional’s ability, you’ll be able to breathe easy and enjoy the process. And that’s where we come in…
We are Liam and Stam, two passionate destination wedding photographers who thrive on traveling the world and capturing two people in love. We love those once in a lifetime opportunities to capture something that can be kept forever.
So, with our experience, we’ve compiled a helpful little guide on how to find a destination wedding photographer. And one thing we feel needs to be mentioned with high importance is… don’t choose a photographer without great effort and planning. Why? Let’s find out…
1. An All-Inclusive Package
If you’re a bit nervous about hiring someone you may have never met, or you are slightly worried about the build up of different costs, you could consider doing an all-inclusive package with your wedding venue.
If you already have enough trust in the venue to use them as your wedding location, they’ll surely be able to provide a great service when it comes to wedding photography.
2. Go Local
While your big day may be a destination wedding, you could choose to go local as opposed to hiring someone to fly in. By doing this, you may save a bit of money, but you may also run the risk of not being 100 percent confident with their abilities.
Yes, an Instagram or website photography portfolio may leave you in awe, but there’s nothing quite as satisfying as meeting your photographer in-person.
3. Choosing Your Favourite Photographer
As mentioned, meeting your wedding photographer will always be a positive. This is because they will play a really important part on your big day, and if you don’t feel a great connection with them, it may be more of a stressor than a pleasure when it comes to your special celebration.
What’s great about hiring a destination photographer is the fact that the world is your oyster. You don’t have to worry about fishing in a small pond but rather scoping out the talent in various different locations.
4. Does Their Creative Vision Align with Yours?
Another thing to watch out for, is whether they have the ability, experience and/or passion to capture the kinds of images that you’re looking for.
While some photographers may be great at shooting outdoor weddings, others may thrive on capturing images in darker indoor lighting. Some may be great at portraits while others are more focused on objects.
This is important to bear in mind when searching for your photographer because, while you may love their work, they may not be a good fit for your specific wedding vision.
5. International Experience
A destination wedding photographer will market themselves as such because they have experience in traveling. But it’s still always helpful to ask them about their various jobs abroad, as it may give you peace of mind.
This is because, should you hire a photographer who is new to the game or who hasn’t actually travelled a lot, you may find yourself micro-managing them or even worrying about their safety as they make their way to your wedding destination.
6. Verified
The great thing about living in an online world is the fact that we can share and learn from reviews of places, activities, and services. Which is why we recommend that you always do your research.
It’s as simple as doing as looking up their Facebook Page, and could make or break your entire experience.
7. Real Weddings
Another way for you to be certain of candidates you’ve got for your destination wedding, is to check whether they have a portfolio and information about actual weddings that they’ve shot.
In this way you’ll be able to see their style, the way in which they talk about their clients, and the different destinations that they’ve covered.
8. The Vibe
Again, if you have the opportunity to meet with your photographer before your big day, the better it will be for you. This is because you can definitely get a feel for the photographer in question – something that is a lot harder to attain online.
To meet with your photographer before the wedding will allow you to see whether you gel with each other, and if they truly can and want to create the vision that you hope to achieve.
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All in all, you’ll want to work with someone who you get along with and who has your vision in mind. In this way, you won’t need to worry about ‘looking after them’ at the wedding, and can rest assured that they’ll do their very best to immortalize your big day with as little stress as possible on your end.
Ready to get started? Great! We’re sure that, with these tips and tricks, you’ll be able to find the perfect fit for you. And if you have questions or enquires, get in touch! We love meeting new couples in love!