How To Hire Your Destination Wedding Photographer In Costa Rica
Hiring your photographer is one of the most important decisions you’ll make durng the wedding planning because after the wedding day it’s the main way you will remember the wedding. If there's an area where you are going to splurge, then I recommend that it be on your photographer.
How To Find The Photographer
Look on Instagram to see who the wedding planners use
Ask the venue for recommendations
Download the Preferred Wedding Vendor Guide
How to Select The Photographer
Style
What type of style do you like? For example, there's light & airy or dark & moody. Is there one you lean toward more?
Personality
You spend allll day with your photographer, so you must vibe with their personality. You want to feel comfortable with them because, honestly, sometimes it's a little awkward posing (at least for me), and you will need some guidance. Adri Mendez, who's featured in my Preferred Wedding Vendor Guide, is fantastic at directing you on how to pose and making you feel fabulous while you do it. You can pull a lot from watching a person's Instagram stories, but feel free to have a phone or skype call to meet them before signing the contract.
Wedding Day Coverage
You'll need a minimum of 5 hours of coverage on the wedding day. I recommend closer to 7 or more, but it depends on what you want to be covered. Anywhere from 5-8+ hours of coverage during a day. You don't want to feel rushed because the getting ready or dinner is taking longer than expected.
First Look
It's Important to decide if you want to do a first look because that will determine your coverage needs. What's a First Look? It's when you two see each other before the wedding ceremony.
Pros
Portraits in different locations
Special time together before the ceremony
Cons
Logistically more difficult
Hair and makeup, photographer, etc. will need to begin earlier
Questions To Ask
Do you shoot with a second shooter or assistant?
Not necessary but common with destination weddings
Do you charge travel and accommodations?
What would pricing look like for the hours we've outlined?
How do you deliver the photos?
Online gallery?
Have you photographed a wedding at my venue before?
Do you recommend a first look?
Are there any videographers you love working with?
Some of my favorite photographers:
Adri Mendez Photography
IG: www.instagram.com/adrimendezphotography
FB: www.facebook.com/adrimendezfotografia
Beaux Arts Photographie
IG: www.instagram.com/beauxartsphoto
FB: www.facebook.com/BeauxArtsPhotographie
Jonathan Yonkers Photography
IG: www.instagram.com/jonathanyonkersphotography
FB: www.facebook.com/jonathanyonkersphotography
Sylvia Guardia
IG: www.instagram.com/sylviaguardia_photography
FB: www.facebook.com/sylviaguardia
Viviana Vieto Photography
www.vivianavietophotography.com
IG: www.instagram.com/viviana.vieto
FB: www.facebook.com/VivianaVieto
Want more tips on how to plan your destination wedding? Check out the blog posts below!