Where to find a DW Photographer?

[COFPhoto]

I'm curious - where do Brides want their DW Photographer to be from?

 

- Do you want them to be someone who lives at the location? So if you're getting married in Cancun, you want them to be based in Cancun and familiar with the area etc.

 

- Do you want them to be someone from your area?

 

- Or do you not care where they are from, even if they're not from the destination or your own location?

 

I'm just curious for a few reasons. First it would seem a little scary to hire somoene who you've never met, and don't have the opportunity to sit down with in person before your wedding day.

 

Also because it can be difficult and tedious to view photos / place orders etc. after the wedding is over if you're 2,000 miles apart. If they are from your own town, you may be able to view the photos in their studio, making the ordering process much easier.

 

So I'm just wondering what Brides think about this? Thanks for your input. =)

[Tropical Imaging]

Hi,

 

I thought you might like the perspective from a photography company that is at the Destination.

 

We actually do meet many of our brides during site visits. However those we don’t meet we are in regular contact with them via email and phone (at our expense by the way). We do have couples who book us based on our website and blog or through a resort or coordinator, but even then we make every effort to have contact with the couple before the day.

 

Remember, we get better photos if we know you and your personalities. We also will meet with the couple prior to the event /to do an e-session if they haven’t had one and to make final prep. Because you must be resident on island here for 3 days, that usually isn’t a problem.

 

Some things couples love to have when they are in the planning stages is photos of venues they are considering and photos of flowers/cakes/decorations from various vendors etc. Because we have been here for 10+ years (and well over 1000+ weddings) we can send them photos and ususally give them some direction on places to consider or at least help them narrow their choices.

 

As far as photography goes, we shoot in this light day in and day out so we know how to work with it. We work and play here and know the island and the people well. For e sessions or day after sessions we know a lot of places that a tourist may not know or may not want to take a taxi to etc. Even at the resort, we find favorite spots to take photos that are off the beaten path. (And we know where to go if it is a bit windy or if there is a bit of rain…which is rare here)

 

From our perspective, we want to show you your wedding photos as well. As long as you are not leaving the following morning, we pull out the stops to show you a completely edited and touched up wedding within 24-48 hours. We schedule the time in for the photographers to get that done.

 

If we need extra equipment, we have it and don’t have to worry about carrying it on the plane. You also don’t have to pay our travel expenses (we’d rather you use that money for albums or big canvas LOL).

 

Finally, if your wedding is in a foreign country, a local photographer has the work permit/business liscense to legally work here. Legally, the country you are flying into requires a person doing work to have a temporary work permit (here and the Bahamas they are $500 and $200 respectively) Most people try to just fly under the radar to avoid that but they are actually working illegally and many governments in the Caribbean are looking to collect that income and/or crack down on illegal workers. Is it likely to happen? No, but it is something else to consider as some venues are insisting on proof outside vendors have legal permits now.

 

I think the main thing that is important to remember is that there are good and bad photographers at home and at your destination. Ask the same questions of both, but don’t avoid a photographer because they are located at the destination. There are some amazing togs around but ask the same questions you would if you were at home.

 

 

 

Krys Mann

Tropical Imaging wedding portrait commercial photography video in Turks & Caicos Caribbean

www.blog.tropicalimaging.com

[yamille]

I like the idea that the photographer is at the destination for a few reasons:

- They may know the layout of the area and some hidden places for a TTD or something like that

-They have contacts in the area in case anything went wrong with either equipment/assistant/ transportation

-I wouldn't have to pay the expense of flying them in but it seems like the ones based in the area that I like are mega $$. So that might even itself out actually.

-They are familiar with the weather patterns and light situations for the area.

 

These are just some thoughts. Having said that, I have still not made my final decision on a photographer- but it's mainly becuase of money. At $5700 for the session we would be going over budget, but photography is one of the most important things to us.

[rodent]

I don't want to limit myself to a photographer who is in my area. A great thing about having photographers on the forum is you can get to know them over a long distance. I'm in North Carolina & my photographer is in Arizona.

 

I think being open to hiring a photographer in any location allows more options to find the perfect photographer for you.

 

Just about all of my wedding planning has been online or over the phone. My travel agent is in Missouri, photographer is in arizona, most of the guests are coming from texas & the wedding is in mexico.

[jillhiggins]

Quote:

Originally Posted by COFPhoto I'm curious - where do Brides want their DW Photographer to be from? - Do you want them to be someone who lives at the location? So if you're getting married in Cancun, you want them to be based in Cancun and familiar with the area etc. - Do you want them to be someone from your area? - Or do you not care where they are from, even if they're not from the destination or your own location? I'm just curious for a few reasons. First it would seem a little scary to hire somoene who you've never met, and don't have the opportunity to sit down with in person before your wedding day. Also because it can be difficult and tedious to view photos / place orders etc. after the wedding is over if you're 2,000 miles apart. If they are from your own town, you may be able to view the photos in their studio, making the ordering process much easier. So I'm just wondering what Brides think about this? Thanks for your input. =)

Hey,

You will probably find as you do more destination weddings that people are less afraid of hiring you. It is rare that I talk to anyone who is concerned about it. If anyone has a concern - I tell them they are free to choose any random client from my blog to contact for a reference. That says a lot and makes them feel at ease.

Viewing/ordering photos is actually easy - there are online labs that make it a a really simple process. Pictage is the lab I use. I upload all of my photos, and people can view them quickly and easily no matter where they are. I can also provide them with a disk of images for viewing on the on computer if they prefer. Even though I often become friends with my clients and enjoy seeing them after the wedding - they seem to appreciate not having to schedule a time to come in to see the photos b/c they are so busy trying to catch up after a wedding. Plus - I often have the photos up before they are even home from the honeymoon.

Local photographers do have somewhat of an advantage in knowing cool places. But it can also be an advantage to not be familiar with the place if your photographer is confident and creative. Personally - I LOVE shooting in a brand new place - it is great to have a fresh perspective. I find that when I shoot in the same place over and over and over again - it is really challenging to make it unique and true to the couple.

Local photographers are sometimes less expensive - but...sometimes destination photographers can be less expsensive. I know that some of my destination clients have paid less for their package than my local clients. It all depends on the time of year and if I can work some vacation time into it.

[TammyB]

When I was looking for a photographer, I orginally thought that it was best to hire one from the area, so when I was searching for a local photographer I went with the one that his pictures just captured the moment and couple.

 

However since then I have learned that their are great photographers all over the world, and I have learned that sometimes being "new" to a location could actually give you an advantage because everything is fresh and you'll really be able to express your talent.

 

So I think the key to finding a great photographer is really review their work, and if it captures the overall "feel" that you want for your wedding, then hire them regardless of where they live.

[Kristy!]

First I was going to hire someone from St. Lucia. Then I won free photography and videography from KLK Photography and Blue Sky Videos (thanks Kristi and Paul!) who are from California and I live in New York. Basically, the pictures and personalities of the photogs and videogs speak for themselves. I will not meet Kristi and Paul until I'm in St. Lucia, but then again, I won't meet my WC, caterer, or anyone else until then either. I'm totally fine with it.

 

As long as your work is outstanding and you're easy to work with, I'm happy, regardless of where you are located!

[chris van atta]

Great Blog,, Great discussion,,, look foward to more posts here,, chris

[Jen_S]

At first we only thought to look for a photographer in the area where we are getting married, they know the area and less to worry about since our wedding is in Feb (weather could be bad in the US). But now that we have been on this forum and have seen the success of US photographers as well we have kept all doors open and now are looking for the best package for what we are looking of and a talented photographer to capture those special moments not the posed moments.

[JennyK]

I think as DW brides, we don't limit ourselves as to who we can have. We have much more freedom in choosing. For me, sending someone from NJ is the same as sending someone from WA (which is where my photog is located).