Having a Non-Nashville, Destination Wedding? Hire the Right Photographer, Wherever You Wed
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
While we love Nashville weddings, we understand that many of you will choose another destination for your big day. Choosing vendors can be difficult when you live in a different city, or even country, than where your wedding will take place. But, you can hire many of your favorite and trusted Nashville wedding professionals and take them with you, especially photographers and planners.
Myrick of Myrick Studios is a Nashville wedding photographer that many brides hire for their local or destination wedding. After you see his destination wedding photos, you will understand why. His ability to shoot anywhere is demonstrated in his portfolio.
Whether you choose to hire a Nashville wedding pro of someone from your destination location, there are factors to consider that will help you hire the right photographer, wherever you wed. We talked to Myrick, who is clearly an expert, to get some insight on how to choose the best photographer for your destination wedding.
WHO TO HIRE
ABG: How should a couple hire their destination photographer? Is it better to bring a photographer with you from your hometown or to hire someone who is familiar with the area you will be getting married in?
MYRICK STUDIOS: I think it is better to hire someone from your hometown or someone that you know as opposed to someone from your wedding's destination. I have heard so many tragic stories where the couple selected this beautiful destination and the hotel or resort included one of their photographers and they ended up getting their photos back and they are just not what they expected. After the wedding, you have one thing to hang on to forever.. .your pictures. If you go with someone from home, you are able to establish a relationship beforehand, which adds a trust factor. The relationship between the couple and the photographer is the most important thing in getting great photos.
ABG: What are the advantages to doing it that way?
MYRICK STUDIOS: A bonus to bringing someone with you from home is the amount of time you are able to spend with the photographer before the wedding day. For destination weddings that I am hired for, I like to spend time with my clients. I meet with them and get to know them before we leave, I ask questions about their vision for their wedding day and then once we are there I will shoot the rehearsal, the wedding and sometimes we do "day after" sessions as well. If you hire someone on location they will usually just show up for the wedding, do the job and leave.
ABG: What type of questions should a couple ask as they interview each photographer?
MYRICK STUDIOS: 1) how long they have been in the business; 2) do they work with an assistant or alone; 3) do they use lighting (if so, what type); 4) will you receive all of the images on a DVD. I always offer a DVD of the images with all of my packages.
HOW TO PREPARE
ABG: What things should a couple talk to their destination photographer about before the wedding day?
MYRICK STUDIOS: Once a photographer has been chosen, your timeline is an important thing to talk about. It's important to know how long I will be at the destination with the couple to understand how much time we will have together. When I shoot a destination wedding, I ask that I can stay where the family and bridal party are staying for the night of the rehearsal and wedding. This helps me get to know the whole wedding party outside of the wedding day format, which helps me get to know their personalities better and how the family relates and interacts.
ABG: You’ve done many destination weddings before – how do you have to prepare differently than when you shoot a wedding at home?
MYRICK STUDIOS: Having the travel plans laid out is really important. Making sure I have my passport ready, if necessary, along with any other travel documents is key. I also try to get to the destination a day or so early to scout out some beautiful spots to shoot. And also arriving early gives me a chance to connect with the bride and groom to make sure that we are all on the same page and if there's anything else that they need from me while I am there.
ABG: What advice would you give a bride and a groom who are planning a destination wedding to get the absolute best photography they can?
MYRICK STUDIOS: When you're investing the money, you want to make sure the photographer knows how to use natural light and artificial light. They should know how to make the best of the location you have chosen (sunshine, sunset, etc). Spend time researching and looking up photos that you want or styles that you like and share those with photographers you talk to.
ABG: What are some of the most common problems that can occur during a destination wedding? How can couples be prepared ahead of time to avoid those?
MYRICK STUDIOS: I think the biggest key is just being relaxed and that's one of the things that I love most about destination weddings. I shot a wedding in Gulf Shores, Alabama and right after the couples ceremony they were informed that the tables and chairs were not set up yet for the reception and it was going to take an hour for this to get done. Well, you know what, their 100 guests were totally ok and not stressing at all because they were all at the beach, with their families and friends and just enjoyed one another while watching the beautiful sunset.. It seems that with destination weddings, a lot of the stress of timelines and schedules seems to fall to the wayside.
Another problem that I have seen involving destination weddings is not having back up gear. I've had lights go bad while I was shooting but fortunately I had back up lights with me. I've even had one of my cameras go bad but thank God for backups! There is also more opportunity for travel issues to come up when you are away from home. The best way to prepare is to just make sure that everyone is aware of everything they need to get to the destination and be there on time for the events that have been planned!!
YOUR DESTINATION WEDDINGS
ABG: What are your three favorite destinations/destination weddings to date?
MYRICK STUDIOS:
Jamaica.
Ecuador - I spent a week here with the bride/groom and their families. It was such an amazing opportunity to shoot not only the wedding, but their engagement portrait two days before their wedding!
Aruba & Cancun. I shot at both of these locations this year, and in both places it was myself, my assistant, and the couple. We were not only the photographers, but also the witnesses!
ABG: What is your dream location to shoot a destination wedding?
MYRICK STUDIOS: Hawaii for sure!
Visit myrickcowart.com to see more of his incredible portfolio or to book Myrick Studios for your wedding. Remember, our readers receive $500 off of your package. Just mention ABG when you first contact Myrick Studios.
All photos courtesy of Myrick Studios.
About the Author:
Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide
Hey - I'm Ashley! I started AshleysBrideGuide.com to give Nashville brides, or folks planning a Nashville wedding, a local resource for inspiration and resources. Hope to see you at a bridal show soon! Happy Planning.
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Posted on November 6, 2012 |
Filed under: Destination Weds & Honeymoon , Photography
