What to Know Before Hiring a Destination Wedding Photographer

The Questions Couples Ask — And What the Answers Should Actually Sound Like

When couples start researching destination wedding photographers, they find a lot of lists. Questions to ask. Things to look for. Red flags to watch out for. Most of those lists are fine as far as they go — but they don’t tell you what good answers actually sound like.

So here’s a different approach. These are the questions I get asked most often by couples planning destination weddings, and my honest answers to each of them. If you’re comparing photographers, use this as a benchmark for what depth of experience should look like.

Have you photographed destination weddings before?

Yes — and the list is specific enough to matter. I’ve shot in Iceland, France, Finland, the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, the Florida Keys, Colorado, and California. Each location taught me something different about light, logistics, and what it takes to show up prepared in an unfamiliar place. You can read about many of these in my destination wedding post.

Are you familiar with our destination?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no — and I’ll tell you honestly which it is. For locations I’ve worked before, I already know the light, the logistical challenges, and the specific spots that photograph beautifully. For new destinations, I research thoroughly and arrive early enough to get oriented before your day starts. The Iceland elopement I shot on the south coast last October was a location I’d never worked before — by the time the bride was climbing the glacier in her wedding dress I’d already spent time understanding how the light moved and what the landscape offered.

What’s included in your destination wedding package?

Travel costs — flights, accommodation, ground transportation — are separate from my photography fees and are discussed transparently during booking. There are no hidden costs. I handle all my own travel arrangements so you’re not coordinating logistics for your photographer on top of everything else you’re managing.

Do you bring a second photographer?

It depends on the day. For intimate elopements — two people, one witness, a single location — I often work solo and cover everything better that way. For larger destination weddings with multiple getting-ready locations, long guest lists, or complex timelines, a second shooter makes sense. I’ll tell you honestly what I’d recommend for your specific day, not what generates more revenue.

How do you capture the destination itself?

The destination isn’t a backdrop — it’s a character. The black sand at Reynisfjara, the light through the palm trees at Little Palm Island, the gardens of Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild terraced above the Mediterranean — those locations show up in the photographs because I’m paying attention to them the whole day, not just during the formal portrait session. Look at any photographer’s destination galleries and ask: does the place feel present? Or does it just look like a backdrop that could be anywhere?

What equipment do you travel with?

Professional camera bodies with backups, lenses for every condition from bright midday sun to low candlelit receptions, and everything carry-on only so nothing gets lost in checked baggage. I’ve shot in Caribbean humidity with failed venue AC, on a glacier in crampons, and in a Finnish national park in summer evening light. The gear travels and performs in all of it.

How do you handle editing and delivery?

My turnaround time and delivery process are outlined in my contract and don’t change based on where the wedding is. Traveling for a destination wedding doesn’t push back your gallery. I back up files multiple times during and immediately after the event — locally and to the cloud — so nothing is ever at risk from a travel incident.

Can we see full destination wedding galleries?

Yes, always. Highlight reels are edited for social media. A full gallery is where you see how someone actually works through an entire day in an unfamiliar location — the getting-ready moments, the in-between moments, the reception at midnight. My wedding galleries include complete destination coverage. If you want to see work from a specific location, ask me directly.

What happens if something goes wrong with travel?

I build buffer into every travel plan for destination weddings — I don’t fly in the morning of. I arrive the day before at minimum, often earlier for complex destinations. If something genuinely goes wrong despite that planning, I have backup equipment, backup plans, and twenty-five years of experience adapting to whatever the day throws at me. The wedding I shot in St. Thomas when the venue’s AC went out in June Caribbean heat is a good example — not a single moment missed.

What makes you the right choice for a destination wedding?

Twenty-five years of shooting weddings. A genuine portfolio of destination work across multiple continents and climates. First-person experience with the specific logistical and photographic challenges that destination weddings present. And a commitment to telling the story of your day in the place you chose to celebrate it — not just making pretty pictures in front of a famous backdrop.

If you’re planning a destination wedding and want to talk through whether I’m the right fit, reach out. I’ll give you straight answers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance should we book for a destination wedding?

As early as you have a date. Destination dates book fast and travel logistics need lead time. A year to  months out is ideal for popular destinations and peak seasons.

Do you travel to international destinations?

Yes. I’ve shot in Iceland, France, and Finland internationally, and I’m open to other destinations for the right work. Travel costs are discussed transparently during the booking process.

Can you recommend other vendors for our destination wedding?

For specific destinations where I have direct experience, yes — I can point you toward coordinators and other vendors I’ve worked with and trust. For Iceland elopements specifically, Lux Weddings handles all the legal documentation for international couples.

What’s the best destination you’ve shot in?

Iceland in October. It’s not close. Read about it here.

How is a destination wedding different from a local wedding to photograph?

The logistics are more complex and the stakes feel higher, but the photography is the same at its core — being present, reading the light, and not missing the moments that matter. If you’re considering something more local, my NYC elopement guide and Brooklyn wedding photography posts cover what that looks like closer to home.

If you’re planning a destination wedding — anywhere in the world — I’d love to hear about it.