How to Choose the Perfect Destination Wedding Photographer: Questions to Ask and Tips to Find the Right Fit
Planning a destination wedding in Italy, Spain, France, or in any other beautiful country in Europe comes with many exciting decisions, and choosing the right photographer is one of the most crucial. Your wedding photos will be the lasting memories of your special day, so it’s essential to find a photographer whose work speaks to you. Below, we’ll cover key tips, questions to ask, and how to find the best destination wedding photographer for your dream celebration.
1. Prioritize Style: Choose a Photographer Whose Work You Love
When searching for a destination wedding photographer, the most important thing is that you love their portfolio. If their previous work resonates with you, you can trust them to capture your wedding authentically.
Shooting Style vs. Editing Style
Shooting Style: Many photographers shoot in a hybrid style, blending documentary, editorial, fine art, or cinematic elements. Instead of focusing too much on labels, look at their storytelling approach and how they capture emotions and candid moments.
Editing Style: A photographer’s editing style is their signature, refined over years of experience. Ensure you love how their images are color-graded, their use of light, and their overall aesthetic. If you love their editing style, you’ll love your final wedding photos.
2. How to Find a Destination Wedding Photographer
Finding the right destination photographer for your wedding in Europe takes some research. Here are the best ways to discover talented professionals:
Google Search: Look up phrases like destination wedding photographer in Tuscany, Amalfi Coast, Mallorca, Provence, Lake Como, Santorini, or the French Riviera.
Ask Your Wedding Planner: Planners often have a list of trusted photographers they’ve worked with before.
Browse Wedding Directories: Websites like Junebug Weddings, Style Me Pretty and The Knot feature vetted destination wedding photographers.
Join Destination Wedding Groups: There are plenty of Facebook groups and Reddit forums where couples share recommendations and vendor experiences.
Consider the Risks of Hiring a Photographer in Exchange for Travel: Some couples are tempted to bring a photographer for free in exchange for flights and accommodation. However, this can come with risks such as visa and work permit issues, lack of local knowledge, or the possibility that they are primarily taking specific shots for their portfolio rather than focusing on you and capturing your wedding day from start to finish. It’s often safer to invest in an experienced destination wedding photographer with a proven track record.
Look for Local English-Speaking Photographers: Many talented photographers based in your wedding location speak English fluently, eliminating the need to fly someone in. When factoring in travel and accommodation costs, hiring a local destination photographer may cost the same—or even less—than bringing someone with you from outside the EU.
If You Already Have a Photographer You Trust, Bring Them: If you’ve worked with a photographer before and love their work, bringing them to your destination wedding can be a great option. However, if you are still searching for the right photographer, choosing someone based in Europe is often the safer choice.
3. Key Questions to Ask Your Destination Wedding Photographer
It’s important to ask questions, but even more important is how you connect with your photographer. If they are experienced, you love their portfolio, and their full galleries give you confidence, the biggest factor should be whether your personalities align—since they will spend the entire day with you and have a big impact on your experience.
Here are the key questions to ask:
How many weddings have you photographed?
Do you have experience shooting in my wedding location?
Can we see a full gallery from a real wedding you’ve shot?
Do you have backup equipment in case anything goes wrong?
Where can we see some of your past reviews?
Instead of overwhelming your photographer with technical questions about lighting or backups, trust that an experienced professional knows what they’re doing. The most valuable thing you can do is schedule a call to see if your personalities align and if you feel comfortable with them.
4. Trust Your Photographer to Capture Your Day Authentically
Once you’ve chosen your photographer, the best thing you can do is trust them to do what they do best. When couples allow their photographer creative freedom, the result is more natural, emotional, and breathtaking images.
Be present on your wedding day: The best photos come from genuine moments, so focus on your partner, your guests, and the experience.
Limit your shot list: While it’s fine to mention must-have family portraits, too many posed requests can take away from natural storytelling moments.
Enjoy the process: The more relaxed and comfortable you feel, the more effortless and stunning your wedding photos will be.
5. Final Thought: Choose a Photographer You 100% Love and Trust
Your wedding photographer plays a huge role in how your day is documented. The best choice is someone whose portfolio, editing style, and approach you fully love and trust. If you find yourself questioning whether a photographer is the right fit, they may not be. When you find the right one, you’ll know—because their work will resonate with you on all levels.
Take the time to find a photographer who aligns with your vision, and then trust them to create the most incredible memories of your wedding day in Italy, Spain, France, or beyond.
If you feel like I may be the right fit for you - feel free to reach out, I’d love to hear all about your plans for your destination wedding!
