How Do I Hire A Wedding Photographer When I Live In Another State Or Country?

Planning a wedding in another state or country can be a logistical challenge, but it’s more commonly done than you might think. If you’re thinking of planning a wedding back home, or a destination wedding, here are some tips to help make the process a little easier.

Consider hiring a wedding or event planner
If you are unfamiliar with the area or have no plans to be in the area before your wedding, hiring a planner can be helpful to start the process by making recommendations for you. These recommendations may help you narrow down the photographers you want to interview.

Spend time on the photographer’s website, Facebook page, and blog
It’s easy to focus on price to sort through the photographers, but that’s not the best way to get a good fit. Photographers have various levels of skill, and their packages are often structured differently. Make sure you are taking a good look at not only their offerings but the style of photography they do.

Make arrangements to speak to the photographers directly
It’s helpful to have a planner or a family member to do the initial legwork of finding a list of photographers to consider, but the final decision should be yours. If you are not able to do face-to-face meetings before your wedding, then see if you can schedule some phone calls or Skype visits.

Ask for references
If your photographer often works with people in your situation who are booking their services remotely, it may be helpful for you to speak to recently married couples to find out their experience with the photographer when planning long distance. Some questions to ask them are:

• Was the photographer prompt in their communications?
• Were your expectations met in both the professionalism of the photographer and the quality of the photographs?
• Was there anything you would have done differently before hiring the photographer?

Planning from afar may be a bit more challenging than planning within the place you reside, but with technology and a little research on your end, you can find a fantastic photographer no matter your wedding day destination.

ISPWP has done some of the work for you! Our worldwide directory contains some of the most talented and reputable photographers available. We’ve vetted them for experience, technical expertise, and professionalism. Find an ISPWP wedding photographer where you are getting married here.

(Photo by Photo by Basilio Dovgun, WedFotoNet, Granada, Spain wedding photographer)