As more people choose destination weddings, more photographers are eager to hop on a plane and go to exotic places with the newlyweds.

Couples often ask us where they can save money on their wedding and where they should spend more. Your destination elopement photographer is, without a doubt, the service you should spend money on.

When you first start your search, you might feel like there are too many photographers to choose from. So, we're here to give you all the information you need to choose a photographer for your elopement in an informed way.

Here are some tips to use before you hire a destination elopement photographer-

• Experience matters

Sometimes it can be hard to tell if a wedding photographer has experience taking pictures of elopements. Elopements are much more private than most weddings, so the photographer needs to be good at capturing small details and beautiful settings. 

Before making a reservation, you should look for a photographer who has covered at least 10–15 elopements. Ask them to show you samples of their elegant wedding photography.

• Ask him to use Off-camera lighting

This tip is crucial if you have your destination wedding at a beach. Since there is a lot of natural light at the beach, you may take pictures of your couples in the bright sun without any shade to protect them from the harsh glare. In these situations, you can change the exposure difference between the background and your couple by using lights that are not on the camera.

• Clear the deposits

Some photographers ask for a deposit equal to half the total cost of the package, and in some cases, they may ask for the total amount. Ask ahead of time when the deadlines for payments are and if there are any ways to pay that will work if you need to spread out the payments. 

• Ask them to bring their drones

If you use a drone to take pictures of your couple relaxing on the beach or going for a walk at sunset, you might get some striking and beautiful photos to add to their wedding album.

Key takeaway

Some photographers can book weddings for up to a year. We suggest getting in touch with the photographers you want to work with as soon as you know the date and location of your elopement to make sure they are available.