Question for those who brought photographers with them...

[~*~Margie~*~]

So...after much stress over photography issues I have decided to bring a photographer with me to my wedding. She is coming as a guest for 4 days 3 nights. My resort has comfirmed that as long as she is booked as a guest they will not require anything else. However, I wanted to know if the Mexican government requires anything. So, to all those who brought photographers with them, or to photographers who have traveled into Mexico, were any forms or fees required to allow you to shoot while a guest in the country?

[trayce2222]

Hi there,

 

I am bringing my own photographer as well. I was told that since they are a guest, there is not anything else that is required since they are not technically working in Mexico. I think it would be different if other people hired your photog while you were there. I have already given mine the instructions that if anyone asks, he is a friend of ours doing the photos for us....that's it! I hope that helps, but if you hear anything different please let me know!

Tracy

[TATrisha]

The main thing is that they can only bring three lenses and two cameras with. make sure they are aware of that. Other than that, my photographer didn't have to do anything special except be adopted by my family for the week!

[Kelly C]

We didn't have to do anything extra. He carried to cameras and his laptop on the plane with him and the hotel agreed to store his stuff in their safe when he did not need it. Since they were to big to put in the room safe. All was good. He did every night burn his chip to the hard drive of his computer and burn a cd. Just incase something would happen to the original set.

[mimosa123]

How costly is to bring your own photographer? I spoke with a photographer today and said he travels with his with which would mean I would have to pay for her hotel and flight!!

 

Do they usually ask to stay longer than two days?

[~*~Margie~*~]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mimosa123 How costly is to bring your own photographer? I spoke with a photographer today and said he travels with his with which would mean I would have to pay for her hotel and flight!! Do they usually ask to stay longer than two days?

It all depends on the photographer. Some of them do travel with an assistant which means travel fees for both. My photog's assistant is her husband, so I am paying travel for both. However, that is all I am paying. When I was searching I found photographers that charged the cost of their package plus all fees and I was getting quotes upwards of $5000 which was way out of my budget. I kept looking and found a wonderful photographer who would go for just the costs. I typically found most photogs requested a 3day/2night stay, which is what she originally asked for, but on my budget I was able to offer her a 4 day 3 night. She will be doing my whole wedding day through the end of the reception and then a TTD the next day, so about 10-12 hours of coverage and I get all the images on CD. And the cost of her trip is the same as what I was going to pay for a photographer in Mexico for 4 hours of wedding day coverage and a 1 hour TTD. Just do your research and you will find someone you love that will fit your budget.

[leahstafford]

Some resorts in Mexico do require a working visa like Azul Properties. If your resort hasn't told you about that then you shouldn't need anything. I did a wedding in RM at Iberostar and was fine. Good luck!

[JessicaPV]

One humble comment,

 

It's no secret that destination spots are gorgeous places, not only to have weddings at but also to live. Given that, many US (or you name their nationality) photographers have decided to live in or close to these destination spots.

 

These photographers are pretty used to US-like customer service and quality and in most cases have suppliers located in the US to print and bind not only your pictures but also gorgeous albums that can get designed by US designers, built by US Album makers and finally delivered to your door step.

 

Some of them can even provide you with a US binding contract (for US photographers) since they are obligued by US law to file yearly tax returns in the US.

 

The beauty of all this is that they are already located at your destination spot, which means that you would be saving, as a minimum, the whole airfare for the photographer and for their assistant or their second photographer. Not to mention that they know the area (to find all those hidden beautiful spots for shots), and that a destination wedding shoot is their trade.

 

How to find them? Just google "destination wedding photography mexico", or "destination wedding photographer punta cana" or whatever your destination location is. You will find a good number of them with websites, porfolios, pricing, etc.

 

I am not saying this is your best option ... it is just one more!

 

I hope this helps. :-)

[Kits55]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mimosa123 How costly is to bring your own photographer? I spoke with a photographer today and said he travels with his with which would mean I would have to pay for her hotel and flight!! Do they usually ask to stay longer than two days?

For the photographer I wanted I also wanted his assistant because there are certain shots and certain times that I know I need two people there shooting. BUT the cost to have both there PLUS airfare, and the cost of package was way out of my price range. So i negotiated with him (he's NEVER done a destination wedding before so I had some wiggle room) to trade. I would pay airfare, room, all inclusive rate, and ground transportation for both for 4 nights (him actually for 5 nights because I want extra stuff) but then i get everything I want package wise. It just so happens that's he's really easy going and we've had to go back and forth on some stuff but so far so good.

Just let your photog know that you think he/she is worth every penny that they're charging but that you can't really afford it, would they be willing to make a trade with you? They may say no, but that's the worst that can be said. Mine said he wanted NO out of pocket expenses plus he's building his portfolio AND getting vacation out of it. BUT this is NOT his full time job, it's definitely different for photogs who shoot full time.