How To Hire Your Destination Wedding Photographer In Costa Rica

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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?