Picking a Destination Wedding Photographer
Going with a Local Wedding Photographer
Destination wedding brides have a few options when selecting a photographer. One option is to select a photographer already in the area. Which may work well if you are traveling to an area where a guide/interpreter/photographer is necessary. A local photographer should know the area, what areas to avoid and when, and what the cool little spots are for getting the best pictures. They also may have photographed at your venue before, and built up a good rapport with the staff and the managers. This will work in your favor if something out of the ordinary is necessary. It should also help keep you and the photographer avoid getting in trouble for breaking the venues rules unknowingly.
Another benefit of using a local photography company is there will be minimal or no travel expenses added to the photography package. Sometimes minor travel expenses are unavoidable, such as when a ferry ride is required to get to the wedding location. A photographer who travels to your wedding location with you will require things like lodging, airfare possibly, and possibly a rental vehicle.
Local wedding vendors work together often, and are a good source of referrals. So ask the photographer who they would recommend for things like a wedding coordinator, a DJ, or the cake. Chances are they have a list of people or companies they recommend.
And a final reason you may want to consider using a local photographer is they should have resources where they can find a replacement person or gear if there is an emergency and the need arises.
Bringing a Wedding Photographer with You
Recently I had the opportunity to photograph what was for me, a destination wedding. When I got there I saw so many different opportunities for great photos with the couple. It was like I could not put the camera down, or I might miss something. It wasn’t that the area was so special, it was that it was new to me and full of possibilities. That excitement is one of the benefits of bringing a photographer with you, you are putting him or her in a new environment and saying “go have fun and make some beautiful pictures of me.” For me, I had a blast, took a lot of great pictures, and the bride was ecstatic about the results.
Your wedding day is already a stressful event for most brides, especially so for destination brides. Having that friendly face of the photographer that you know from back home and has already done your engagement session may help relieve some of the stress. Unfortunately, some brides do not have a chance to meet their photographer in person when they are having a destination wedding. This can create some uneasiness for the bride, especially if they don’t care for who they booked, even though they sounded great over the phone.
A language barrier is also a possibility, depending on the destination. Often if you are at a resort this will not be an issue, however this is not always the case.
Having the same person photograph your engagement photos, destination wedding pictures, and reception/party back home can make it much simpler for the bride. You only need to book one photographer, instead of multiple photographers. Also the pictures will have the same look to the way they are finished. This way all the photos should seem to flow, with only the location changing.
No matter which option you choose, we hope you have a great destination wedding.
Chris is a North Carolina Wedding Photographer with experience photographing across the United States and Internationally.
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