BRINGING YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER ALONG FOR THE RIDE
Hi there! As a professional photographer who has been hired for destination weddings and traveled the globe, I've seen a LOT! From couples who want the perfect shot of their first kiss against a stunning sunset to those who just want to capture the moment without breaking the bank, I've learned a thing or two about what to look for when hiring a professional photographer for a destination wedding.
First things first, do your research. Don't just go for the first photographer you find on Google, check their reviews, their portfolio and ask for recommendations. You want someone who has experience with destination weddings and who can handle the unique challenges that come with them - from unpredictable weather, language barriers, to getting totally lost in a new land. We've traveled extensively in our career and personal life, so we usually serve as a guide of sorts when traveling with clients. We've stayed in 5 star resorts in the Caribbean for shoots and also in canvas tents in sub-zero weather on shoots - and we LOVED them both. We find the beauty in EVERY situation.
Next up, set a budget. It's important to have an idea of how much you want to spend on photography and to communicate that clearly with your photographer. This will help you avoid any nasty surprises down the line and make sure you're getting the most bang for your buck. We're very transparent with pricing and definitely want to do your shoot as much as you do, so we're not looking to squeeze every penny out of you. We're more about building relationships, connecting, and making life long friends rather than just "clients". We absolutely LOVE meeting new people and exploring new places, and are exceptionally laid back when doing so. If you're getting married in a really cool place and we really want to go, we're going to work with you and make it work. Sometimes even at a moderate loss on our end, but not everything is about money - life is about experiences and we're all about it.
When it comes to choosing the right photographer, personality matters, a LOT. You're going to be spending a lot of time with this person on your big day, so make sure you get along with them and that they understand your vision. They should be able to put you at ease and make you feel comfortable in front of the camera. This is where we excel. We've always been extremely outgoing and the absolute "life of the party", all while maintaining an air of professionalism and being extremely fun...yet Wyld. There's a reason the majority of our reviews across Google, Facebook, etc. mention how "fun we were to work with". This isn't a "job" for us, this is our passion, and our ultimate reward is seeing your face the first time you see our imagery. Going above and beyond is our standard.
Speaking of the camera, make sure your photographer has the right equipment. A professional camera, lenses, and lighting equipment are a must, but they should also have backup gear in case anything goes wrong. You don't want to be left without any photos of your special day if the photographer is frantically looking for a camera store in a foreign country. We always bring a full kit - state of the art equipment (currently Nikon's flagship Z9 mirrorless camera), a backup (Nikon D850), and a suite of top tier lenses and speed lights for some ultra fun shots. Photography is a lot like golf in a sense - you wouldn't try to play a full course with a putter; you need the right tool for the job and everything in between.
Finally, make sure you and your photographer are on the same page when it comes to editing and delivering your photos. You should know how long it will take to receive your photos, how many you will receive and what editing will be done. Make sure your photographer has a clear understanding of your expectations. We always quote the "longest" it will take to deliver your photos. We strive to get your photos within a week of a BIG shoot, and usually deliver within 3 days. We remember having our wedding photos take MONTHS to get back, and we weren't impressed with the results. Now being in the industry, we realize what most photographers do is send the raw images off to a company to edit, which usually has a long lead time. Not us. We spend time on every single photo. We aren't into massive batch edits and aren't going to send you a 2,000 photo album with 50 of the same photo of aunt Gertrude biting into her short ribs at dinner, all edited the same.boring.way. We pride our craftsmanship in editing an pour a lot of love into our photos. If the photo doesn't make us smile and think "NAILED IT!", you probably aren't going to like it either. We have a unique editing style, so if you like what you see, we're your guy. If you have ideas for something that is wayyyy different from the way we shoot, let us know and we'll see if we can bring your vision to life. We LOVE trying new things and never stop learning.
So there you have it, a few things to keep in mind when hiring a professional photographer for your destination wedding. And if you're still on the fence about who to choose, remember this - the right photographer will be able to capture the magic of your special day and give you memories that will last a lifetime. Make sure you connect with your photographer on a semi-personal level. You aren't getting an oil change here, they're going to be in your life for a very key moment. Happy planning, and stay Wyld my friends!
