How to choose a Destination Wedding Photographer

COFPhoto · July 7, 2008

Personally if I were getting married at a destination other than my home city, I would prefer to hire a Photographer who is from my home city.

Two reasons - first, if I'm spending that kind of money I would want to do an engagement session with them first. That way I could truly get a feel for what they are like, personality, etc. and I could also get an idea of what their process is like - shooting, editing, ordering, receiving photos, and what the actual photos themselves look like.

Second reason would be all of the work involved after the wedding is over. Some Photographers will argue otherwise, but IMO handling all of the ordering from a wedding through the internet is a major PITA.

Which brings up another thought...When hiring a Photographer ask them how many photos should you expect from your wedding (approximately of course) and ask them to see an online gallery from another wedding. If their online gallery is a nightmare to navigate, imagine having to look through 1,000 photos from your wedding day in that gallery.

I just think that being able to physically meet them to review photos, ordering etc. is so much easier than using online galleries, etc.

I can tell you that when we shoot a portrait session for a local family, they come to our studio and view about 60 5x7 prints and have their order done in about an hour. For families out of town we use an online gallery and it's rare that they have their order in within one week. Our limit is two weeks (or they pay $35/week for extra time - it's only in place to keep people from taking forever). Most people order just before the two weeks is up.

Obviously there are many more photos from a wedding, and it takes longer. This is just an example on a smaller scale.