Destination Wedding Photographer – Easier to Find Than You Think
Photo by Tom Grimbert on Unsplash
Finding the Perfect Destination Wedding Photographer
When it comes to searching for a destination wedding photographer consider the following options. They all have their pro’s and con’s, but it’s best to do a little research read before committing to the first photographer that comes across your path.
- Choose a favorite photographer and pay their travel expenses to come with you
- Choose a photographer near the location of your destination
- Use the resorts in-house photographer
Post a Job to Find A Destination Photographer
Finding a destination wedding photographer can be a fun process when you post a job on the wedding photography job board. There are, however, a few things to look out for. Good news is that lots of photographers LOVE to travel so you’ll have lots of eager candidates. Be prepared to pay a little extra to help cover your photographers travel expenses. You might also get lucky with a destination wedding photographer who is interested in turning your destination into his/her vacation! We have seen many wedding photographers offer this to brides bidding on destination wedding photographer requests posted on the My Bridal Pix Photographer Job Board. It’s a win win for both of you!
What to Know About Resort Photographers
When it comes to having the resort find you a photographer you have to be careful. Many of the destination resorts require you to hire their in-house photographer. This may or may not be in your best interest. So be sure to ask upfront before you even book your venue. If you have your heart set on spectacular images, the quality of the in-house resort photographer may not be what your looking for.
Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash
Know the Resorts Wedding Photography Policy
Before you commit to booking a destination wedding photographer, know the resorts wedding photography policy. Sometimes resorts will not allow you to use your own photographer. They may even restrict your guests from taking pictures! The last thing you want is to put down a deposit for a wedding photographer only to find out that you are not allowed to use them!
Ask Lots of Questions
Often, resorts will offer packages that include a photographer, but make sure you ask lots of questions before you sign the contract.
- Ask for the website of the photographer the resort uses so you can do your own research and see if you like their style.
- Is the photographer a member of any wedding photographers’ associations? Most international wedding photographers’ associations usually have high standards for inclusion.
- How long the coverage will be?
- Is there is a limit on the number of images taken?
- How long will it take to receive your images and how are they delivered?
- Will you receive the high resolution images on DVD with print copyrights?
- Are you required to buy prints or albums?
- Are guests restricted from taking pictures?
Is the Resort Photographer the Right Choice?
Sure, it’s easy to just go with the resorts in-house photographer. It’s one more thing off your checklist, right? But do you really want to take that chance with your wedding photos? It’s just not worth it if your images come out terrible. Trust us, you’ll be heartbroken! Insist on seeing the photographers work before you sign. If they can’t show you a website or samples of their work, I would insist on hiring your own destination wedding photographer. No one should be bulled into using a photographer without seeing examples of their work first.
Unfortunately, many of these resorts put little value on photography and are more focused on the commission they will get on your prints than they are about the quality of the work. Most of the Las Vegas Casinos and chapels operate this way, requiring you to use their photographer. Know this ahead of time so that you can ask the right questions before you book your destination venue. If you don’t ask lots of questions, you may very well end up with the bartender who doubles as the wedding photographer!
If you choose to bring a wedding photographer from home, you will be spending a lot more time together. This will most likely result in more photos…YAY! This may be a great opportunity for some really nice moonlit images after your guests have all retired for the evening or, images for thank you cards or perhaps even, a trash-the-dress photo session the day after the wedding. Just make sure the photographer you bring has experience in destination weddings, as there is a lot of coordination involved in traveling with equipment and having the experience to know how to handle destination weddings. In some instances, countries require special permits for photographers to enter the country. Sometimes these permits can take up to six months and can be quite expensive. For example, a Turkish permit is $500. So when it comes to destination venues be sure to know the photography deal before you book.
Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash
You can also choose to hire a destination wedding photographer from the area you are traveling to but be sure to get references, check out their website and social media pages to make sure they stay active in posting their work.
It’s Easy to Find A Destination Wedding Photographer
Finding a destination wedding photographer can be a lot easier than you think when you post a bid request on the wedding photography job board at My Bridal Pix. No more hours searching online, just post what you are looking for and let the photographers find you! Our network of photographers love to hear the details of your wedding plans and are happy to offer you a custom quote based on your needs and budget. We also use our social media networks to help expand the reach of finding a photographer for you. My Bridal Pix takes the work out of finding a photographer. You can view our current bid request job board HERE
Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash
If you have some advice to share on destination wedding photographers , please feel free to leave a comment below.
My fiance and I have decided to have a destination wedding and I want to make sure that I pick the perfect photographer to remember the wedding day. I like the advice you give here of asking potential photographers lots of questions. I imagine that that will help you choose the one that fits you and your style the best. I imagine it would also be beneficial to look at their portfolios to get a better idea of their work. I’ll be sure to keep these things in mind; thanks for sharing this!