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So, you are planning your very own wedding in a magical place, maybe a beach in Goa, a palace in Udaipur, or even a mountain in Manali! Exciting, isn’t it? But with all this excitement comes an important question: “Who is going to shoot it?”. A destination wedding photographer is going to help you out. In this article, we will break down exactly what a destination wedding photographer does, why they are worth booking, and the process of booking one for your wedding.
What Is a Destination Wedding Photographer?
A destination wedding photographer is a professional who travels to wherever you are getting married, be it across the country or across the globe. A destination photographer isn’t your average photographer you will find locally because he will simply be there capturing the day with you based on his availability. Instead, a destination photographer is someone who a couple chooses because of their style, experience, and relationship with you as a client. A destination wedding photographer goes where you go, creating consistency, trust, and breathtakingly beautiful memories to last a lifetime regardless of where you say “I do.”
What Does a Destination Wedding Photographer Do?
- Before the wedding: They assist with the shot list, scout locations (either remotely or in person), and grasp your vision.
- During the wedding: From getting ready to your last dance, they are there to document every feeling, moment, and spontaneous connection.
- After the Wedding: They edit, curate, and present an incredible visual narrative sometimes with albums or cinematic films.
Why Hire a Destination Wedding Photographer?
- Consistency in Style: You selected them based on their unique style – no surprises.
- Better Communication: You had a chance to get to know them prior to the wedding, building trust and a personal connection.
- Travel Experience: They are adaptable, and have experience adjusting to new light, weather, and cultural contexts.
- Stronger Connection: This connection shows up in your photos, with more genuine smiles and candid moments.
- Creative Freedom: Often they will go above and beyond and will not just take photos of the event, but the atmosphere, the vibe, and the in-between moments.
Things to Consider Before Booking
- Budget: Add travel and stay in the photographer’s package or arrange them separately.
- Portfolio: Verify that they have done destination shoots—it is very important they have experience.
- Legal + Contract: Agree on travel days, back up plan, and delivery of photos beforehand and comply with the contract.
- Comfort Level: Choose someone who you feel comfortable around, it will show in your photos.
Why You Should Bring Your Own Destination Wedding Photographer
If you’re planning a destination wedding, many venues or resorts offer their own in-house photographer or team of photographers. While this might be convenient in the initial phase, a photographer from the venue isn’t always a good option if you really care about how you want to tell your love story.
Flying your own destination wedding photographer ensures you have a person that understands your vision, knows your story and has a style you know, love, and are comfortable with. You are not only getting a service, but you’re hiring someone you’ve carefully selected, developed rapport, and trust with. That trust will translate into more natural photos, better communication, and a much more personal experience.
Planning Together: You and Your Destination Photographer
You create the opportunity for amazing wedding photographs by great planning. After you book your destination wedding photographer, send your photographer all the details that matter most to you; details like your schedule, family and cultural traditions, general style or any specific shots you’d like. Mood boards or samples can be a very helpful resource to share with your photographer as well. Ideally, a pre-wedding photo shoot with your photographer in the wedding venue would lay a little ground work to maybe help the portrait process go smoother and to scout out location ideas.
It’s also important to be sure that your photographer is introduced to your planner or day-of coordinator so everyone is on the same timeline. Most importantly, you need to trust your photographer’s artistry and creative process. When you and your photographer embrace the photographic process as a team, the results will not only be beautiful, but personal, emotional and real to your love story.
Trust Matters in Wedding Photography
At Photo Phactory Studios, we have had the pleasure of documenting love stories on mountains, beaches, cities, and country locations. Anytime we have done this, we see it every time, couples are much more “themselves,” more relaxed and connected to the moment when they trust who is behind the lens.
Because the best photos are created when you are simply enjoying your day, instead of worrying if your photographer will “get it.”
Conclusion
A destination wedding is an event of a lifetime. The location is amazing, but the moments that are created and the memories that are captured is what makes them special. A destination wedding photographer takes more than just pictures – they capture the feelings, emotions, and vibe of your wedding along with everything beautiful you want to remember for the rest of your life.
