How to Find the Perfect Wedding Destination Photographer for Your Big Day


If you’re wanting to create lasting memories for your guest and an unforgettable party experience, then a destination wedding just might be the answer. Destination weddings are incredible, to say the least; there’s that middle ground, so all the guests are expected to travel. There’s the magical feeling too because the wedding is also a part of a vacation too. It’s easy to see why so many people are opting for destination weddings.
They don’t even need to be hard to plan either, especially with all the packages that hotels and venues offer. But there is one thing to note, and that’s the wedding photographer. Sure, while venues will have a photographer as a part of their package, not all of them do. So, how can you find a wedding destination wedding photographer for your dream wedding? While it can be tough, it doesn’t need to be impossible, so keep reading on to find out more!
Hunt for Recommendations
If you’re booking a destination wedding package through a hotel, venue, or even special agency, you could always ask for recommendations from those establishments. You could always ask people you know in that area. For instance, if you’ve always dreamt of getting married in Lake Como and you know people (or are well-connected in some form), then you’re going to want to ask for recommendations; who knows, maybe you’d even score a session with the incredible wedding photographer. Vittore Buzzi. But generally speaking, when it comes to anything wedding oriented, asking around is going to be the most helpful as not everyone or every business easily advertises.
You Might Need to Do a Lot of Research
The decision to hire a wedding photographer is one of the biggest decisions that you will make when planning your destination wedding. This individual will be responsible for memorializing your special day with pictures that you will treasure for a lifetime. Whether you are hosting your wedding on the beach, in the mountains, or somewhere else completely, having an experienced local wedding photographer will ensure that all of your special moments are captured. When searching for a destination wedding photographer, it is important to do your research. This includes looking at their portfolio, checking their pricing, and talking to them about their experience.
It is also important to find out if they have a photography permit in the destination you are choosing. This will ensure that they can photograph all of your special moments without any issues. Additionally, it is a good idea to keep track of your search results so that you can easily remember which photographers you really love. So, when it comes to research, it’s not only about looking at Google. Because chances are, you’ll find photographers from all over the world. Some photographers will list one location, like Lake Como, for example, but they actually live somewhere else in another country (but expect the wedding guest to pay).
In the end, it’s up to you if you want to pay for a photographer to travel to you or already be there at the location you’re getting married at. But be sure to look into all of this carefully. Also, when it comes to research, social media tends to be more helpful such as putting “wedding photographer (destination” into search bars like Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok.
Under the Different Types of Photographers
This isn’t just about style but about the photographer in general. As stated above, when researching for photographers on search engines like Google, for instance, a lot of websites will come up. One thing to note is that some photographers will not live in the location that they may have listed. Instead, they may either travel to that location with their own expenses, or they’ll expect the wedding couple to pay for the travel expenses (and this includes food and accommodation too). Not all photographers are clear on this, so you need to make sure you get as much clarity as possible.
Don’t Be Afraid to Schedule a Meeting
While you’re out there trying to find the perfect wedding photographer for your special day, you’ll still need to remember that initial meetings are the best. Ideally, you only schedule meetings with photographers you genuinely see yourself hiring, i.e., you like their style. Unless the photographer lives within your locality, it’s best to just do the meeting over Zoom or some other online video platform for the call. For the most part, this helps see if the personality of the couple and the photographer’s personality work well or clash.
Plus, this is the perfect time to ask questions too. Now, very rarely will photographers charge for these calls, and theirs no obligations to book them either. Ultimately, the goal is to make this meeting as stress-free and easy as possible for them so they can feel confident that they’ve made the right decision in hiring you for their big day.
It Helps to Know Their Travel Experience
Make sure to ask if they’re familiar with the location where your wedding will be held. This will save you from having to worry about things like navigating local photography permits or finding out that the resort, hotel, or venue where you are getting married doesn’t allow outside photographers. But of course, this does still mean that the couple should still ask their venue questions beforehand.
Do You Know What Style You’re After?
Before hiring a wedding photographer, it’s best to just go onto Pinterest or other websites to get an idea of what you want. You have to keep in mind that every photographer has a signature style, so if you’re wanting moody and artistic wedding shots, then going for a photographer that focuses on cute pastels just won’t work out. It’s all about hiring someone that has the exact style you want or whose style is similar enough. Not all styles are the same, so this is something that you need to keep in mind. At the end of the day, it’s about getting the perfect photos that will make you look back on your wedding with happiness, so make sure you’re picky, it’s totally okay!
Used to be a traveller and now being a passionated geek with chill lifestyle. Love SEO and a part time dad of two beautiful kids.