How to Choose an Elopement Photographer

Eloping and having an intimate wedding with your beloved is a beautiful way to celebrate your love. But planning an elopement comes with its challenges, especially when it comes to hiring vendors. Your elopement photographer will be responsible for capturing beautiful memories of your special day that you’ll cherish forever in photos and videos. That’s why finding the right elopement photographer that fits your style, vision, and budget is essential.

This guide will walk you through the key factors to consider when researching, comparing, and hiring an elopement photographer. We’ll also share insider tips on questions to ask, contracts, deliverables, and more to set you up for elopement photography success. Let’s dive in!

Define Your Elopement Photography Vision

Before starting your search, discuss your hopes and dreams for your elopement photos with your partner. This will help guide your photographer’s search.

Consider details like:

• What style of photography do you prefer – candid, posed, artistic, traditional, photojournalistic?
• What settings and backdrops do you want to be photographed – just the ceremony or also getting ready, reception details, natural landscapes?
• What mood and tone do you want captured – lighthearted, romantic, moody?
• Do you want black and white or color photos? A mix of both?
• What about video? Do you want a cinematic video montage, too?

Having a clear vision upfront will help you zero in on elopement photographers who are the best match. It will allow them to craft a custom package and shooting timeline to bring your vision to life!

Research Potential Elopement Photographers

Once you know what you want for your elopement photography, it’s time to start your search!

Here are some ways to find top elopement photographer prospects:

• Wedding Planning Sites: Many wedding planning websites like The Knot, WeddingWire, and local wedding sites have directories where you can search for elopement photographers by location.
• Instagram: Search hashtags like #elopementphotographer, #adventureelopements, #mountainelopements, #desertelopements, and locations near where you plan to wed to discover photographers with the style you love.
• Elopement Planning Sites: Elopement-specific sites like Adventure Instead often have directories to search for vetted local elopement photographers.
• References: Ask friends who had beautiful wedding photos for referrals to their photographers. Even if the photographer wasn’t an “elopement specialist,” great wedding photographers can often shoot exceptional elopements, too.
• Reviews: Don’t forget to check reviews on wedding planning sites, Google, and social media to learn about photographer experiences from past couples.

List your top choices – about 3-5 photographers are a good number.

Compare Photographer Packages

Once you have a few potential photographers on your list, look through their websites and portfolios to find the one that best fits your needs.

Here are key things to compare:

Photography Style

This is one of the most important factors! Be sure the overall style and vibe of their portfolio reflects your vision. Do you see lots of natural light, candid moments, bold colors, or minimalist black and white? Or is their style more posed and traditional?

Locations

If you already have picked your elopement location, look for photographers who have shot at similar venues and landscapes. For example, photographers with forest or mountain elopements will likely understand how to photograph your location best if you’re eloping in the Colorado mountains.

Package Offerings

Compare what’s included in their elopement collections. Most packages will include:

• Number of hours covered for photography (8+ hours is typical for elopements)
• Locations covered – just the ceremony spot or getting ready and reception, too?
• Products included – prints, digital negatives, photo books, etc.
• High-resolution downloadable gallery
• Print release for sharing and printing additional photos from the gallery
• Travel costs – some will have fees if you are farther than a certain distance from them or in another city.

Pricing

Elopement photography packages can range anywhere from $1000-$5000+ depending on the components included, photographer experience level, and your location. Get quotes from all photographers you are considering to understand pricing.

Ask the Right Questions

Once you’ve narrowed down your top choices after comparing packages, talk with each photographer before booking. This is crucial to take your partnership to the next level and align on details.

Here are some recommended questions to ask:

• What’s your photography style and experience shooting elopements? You want to ensure they have the artistic vision and technical skills to plug in your wedding location. Ask about their photography approach, favorite go-to angles, ideal time of day for lighting, and elopement portfolio examples that reflect your wedding vision.
• Are you familiar with our planned elopement location? Local experience goes a long way. You want someone who knows the area and spots for epic photos. Ask how they plan to scout the location before your day if not local.
• Do you have backup equipment in case of gear failure? Photography equipment can sometimes fail or get damaged. Make sure your photographer packs backup cameras, lenses, memory cards, and batteries so they are prepared for any situation.
• How do you plan shooting timelines? They should work with you to customize a timeline and shot list that makes the most of your location’s lighting, factors in travel time, and captures all your must-have moments.
• When will we get our photos? Timelines range from 4 weeks to several months for editing and gallery delivery. Understand when to expect your wedding sneak peek, highlights gallery, and final edited full gallery.
• Do you have liability insurance? Reputable photographers carry liability insurance to cover any potential accidents during your shoot. Don’t skip this key question!

Understand Contract Terms

Be sure to review your photographer’s contract before officially booking them. Key things to look for:

• Deposits/Payment Schedule: Most require a 30-50% retainer upfront to reserve your date, with the remainder due the month of your wedding. Ensure you are comfortable with the payment schedule and look for flexibility if your plans change.
• Cancellation Policy: Understand each party’s cancellation terms in case unavoidable situations arise. Look for reasonable cancellation windows – 30 days is standard.
• Hours & Locations Covered: Confirm your final timeline; locations and hours the photographer will shoot are all listed.
• Products/Deliverables Included: Verify your contracted photography package, products, and number of edited images match what you agreed on.
• Print/Copyright Release: A print release to share and print photos from your gallery as you please is standard. But make sure it’s confirmed in writing!
• Extra Shoot Time: If you go over your contracted hours, confirm the photographer’s rates for additional time so no surprises arise.
• Travel Fees: Be aware of travel fees if your elopement is far away. Getting this set expectation upfront prevents confusion.

Prepare Your Shot List

Your photographer will guide you in posing and ensure you get all the best moments. But it helps to provide them a shot list of your must-have photos, like:

• Getting ready for glam shots
• Close-up ring shots
• Wedding dress/suit details
• First look reveal
• Reading personal vows
• The first kiss
• Friends/family reactions
• Signature cocktails
• Cutting the cake
• Dance floor moments
• Sunset portrait session
• Long-exposure light art photos

Give your list to your photographer beforehand so they can plan shots. And on your wedding day, don’t be shy about pointing out any must-have photos you want!

The right elopement photographer will capture all the priceless moments you’ll treasure. By following these tips for choosing a talented elopement photographer aligned with your vision, you’re set up for success to have outstanding photos that tell the story of your special day for many anniversaries to come!

Frequently Asked Questions

How early should I book my elopement photographer?

It’s best to book your elopement photographer at least 6-12 months in advance if possible. The top photographers book up quickly for popular wedding dates and locations.

How do I know if an elopement photographer is legit versus a scam?

Warning signs of shady photographers include meager prices substantially below market rate, stock images instead of actual work samples, and the lack of an established online presence/portfolio. Stick to experienced, reviewed pros!

What’s the difference between an elopement and a wedding photographer?

Most wedding photographers can shoot elopements, too. However, elopement-specific photographers specialize in shooting intimate adventures, often including travel fees. They also are typically experienced in hiking with photo gear to remote elopement destinations.

What should an elopement photo package include?

A standard elopement photo package includes 8+ hours of shooting, 200-300+ edited high-res photos, print release for sharing and printing photos, travel to your elopement site if within a specific range, and creative direction on locations and posing. Many also offer add-ons like photo books, additional hours, and video.

How much does elopement photography cost?

You can expect to invest $2,500 – $5,000+ for elopement photography. Rates vary based on the photographer’s experience level, coverage amount, extras like photo books, and travel fees. More budget-friendly options are newer photographers charging $1,000-$2,000.

Conclusion