Recently, weddings have been booming with couples looking to make up for lost time due to the recent global lockdowns. Couples are ready to invest more into their weddings, leading to a surge in destination weddings. Of course, part of the reason why couples choose a destination wedding is because of the location. Aside from capturing wedding highlights, you’ll also want the scenery to complement your best moments. That’s why getting the best photographer for this occasion is an absolute must. While we previously discussed destination wedding etiquette for guests, allow us to help you find the perfect photographer for your destination wedding:
Research a few months prior
Months (or even more than a year) before your wedding day, it’s important to start making a shortlist of
photographers. Ask for recommendations from married friends, consult wedding magazines like Brides of North Texas or Bliss Bridal Magazine, and search on social media. For social media, check out hashtags such as DestinationWedding or #DestinationWeddingPhotography on Instagram or Facebook to get more specific results.
The key tip here is to have a list of options as early as possible. You can book in-demand, popular photographers if you book well in advance. Researching early on gives you the best destination wedding photographers to choose from in your region.
Look closely at their photography style
Once you’ve got a shortlist of destination wedding photographers, go over all of their portfolios. Wedding photographers nowadays usually have an online presence such as a website or a social media account to showcase their work. This gives you insights into their photography style and whether it suits your wedding vision.
Different photographers will tend to use different photography cameras to suit their style. For instance, a DSLR camera like the Nikon D850 is the best camera for landscapes and weddings because it’s a high-resolution and high-speed camera. Meanwhile, a mirrorless camera like the Sony Alpha a7II has 5-axis image stabilization, making it versatile for zooming in on subjects and getting close-up shots. Remember to take a close look at each photographer’s style, angles, and overall vibe because your wedding pictures are lifelong treasures you’ll look back at for years to come.
Read client testimonials and reviews
Being on the “same page” with your wedding photographer is extremely important. You don’t want to run into problems with them during your special day, so it’s best to read client testimonials and reviews online.
As mentioned above, most wedding photographers have an online presence. Scroll through their socials and read through the majority of reviews so you know what to expect or if you should avoid them altogether. If the photographer has a Facebook page, there’s usually a ‘Reviews’ tab that you can check out. If not, go through their comments section and take a look at what people say.
Make an Inquiry
Last but not least, reach out to the photographer for any additional questions that were not answered by reading through their website or social media. This is the part where you can ask for contingency plans. For example, ask what flash types they’d use in the event that there’s a lack of outdoor lighting during the wedding day. A speedlight like the Canon Speedlite EL-1 is perfect for low-light settings because it flashes a small amount of red light just enough for the camera to focus. Meanwhile, a moonlight such as the Interfit S1 delivers great quality and color accuracy. The point of making an inquiry is to iron out any questions or concerns you may have before booking a destination wedding photographer.
Your wedding destination is a very special event. So it’s of paramount importance to make sure you get everything documented the way you want by using our tips to choose the perfect destination wedding photographer.
