rocker in love tips for you

Your Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect Elopement Photographer

An elopement is a wedding that is purposefully small, intimate, meaningful, and honest and is a true representation of a couple’s relationship, with the focus of the day being solely on them.

Your Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect Elopement Photographer

An elopement is a wedding that is purposefully small, intimate, meaningful, and honest and is a true representation of a couple’s relationship, with the focus of the day being solely on them. 

It’s all about removing all of the stress, anxiety, and obligation that come with weddings. 

An elopement gives a couple complete autonomy over how and where they devote their lives to each other. 

This one-of-a-kind wedding experience is being documented through photography so having the right elopement photographer by your side is a necessity! Someone who can beautifully capture every moment of your elopement and help you create worthwhile photos. 

Looking to elope and still don’t know what photographer to choose? 

Worry not!  

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps of choosing the perfect elopement photographer.

joshua tree wedding 102

Why do you need an Elopement photographer?

Ter um fotógrafo de fuga é extremamente importante – alguém para capturar todas as memórias intrincadas de sua fuga. 

Você quer ter certeza de ter lindas fotos para lembrar do seu dia especial.

Um fotógrafo de fuga pode ajudar a tornar o dia do seu casamento ainda mais especial.

Eles estarão lá para capturar todos os momentos íntimos e emoções, desde o primeiro beijo até a última dança. E eles poderão fornecer fotos lindas e profissionais que você guardará para o resto da vida.

Joshua Tree Wedding Photographer

Steps to choosing the best Elopement photographer

Make a reservation for your venue first. 

👉 We recommend that you read this for The Best Wedding Venues in Joshua Tree

After you’ve booked your venue, it’s a good idea to hire your photographer. 

Try your best to hire the photographer roughly nine months before the wedding event or even a year in advance if the photographer is in demand. 

 

Look for recommendations on social media. 

Inquire of your recently married friends whose wedding images you adored, as well as your wedding coordinator or reception site manager for recommendations. 

Determine your preferred photographic style. 

Do your homework and spend some time learning about the photographic styles you enjoy.

It’s possible you may be interested in an environment that’s more vintage with semi-washed-out tones and an alluring, nostalgic feel, or you’d like one with a brighter look with lots of captivating colors.

Once you’ve chosen a few photographers who share your aesthetic, send an email to each of them to see if they’re available on your wedding day and to inquire about their photography fees.

You can plan initial appointments if the ones you’re interested in are available on your date and their fees are within your budget. 

Inquire about the photographers. 

Before your first meeting, most photographers will send you a link to their image portfolio.

Check to see if the collection includes current weddings that he or she has shot from beginning to end, rather than “a list of” highlight reels from dozens of other weddings.

This is usually a better way to evaluate the photographer’s portfolio.

Also, inquire as to whether the photographer has photographed at your location, and if so, seek to see those images. 

Find out who will be shooting your wedding day during the meeting.

Even with single-person operations, it’s not uncommon for the photographer to delegate images of the groom getting ready to an assistant while he concentrates on the bride and bridesmaids.

Ask the photographer to show you the work of the photographer (or photographers) who will be photographing at your event.

The fee should be discussed. 

Some photographers charge a fixed or hourly pricing while others charge a monthly or quarterly retainer for future events or albums; others charge a flat or hourly rate and then charge you à la carte for any pictures or albums you want.

Many photographers provide a price list that lists the many packages they provide at various price points.

Do well to fully understand everything that’s been offered. Inquire about the length of time the photographer will be with you (seven to nine hours is excellent) and whether there will be a second shooter, as this will allow you to capture more detailed images. 

Follow your instincts. 

It’s time to make your choice once you’ve assessed each photographer’s work and costs and limited your alternatives.

Remember that you’ll be spending your entire wedding day with this individual, so you’ll want to make sure you’re fully comfortable with them.

Do you and your fiancé have a true fondness for this individual? Do you guys get along well? 

Make an appointment for a trial run. 

An engagement photoshoot is usually a fantastic idea—a terrific chance to get to know your photographer and start to feel at ease having your picture taken, especially if you or your groom are camera-shy.

Check for reviews 

The importance of a person’s reputation cannot be overstated.

What other people have to say about a photographer is quite important.

If you want to buy something online, you’ll almost certainly check reviews to see how effective it is.

Photographers are in the same boat. Photographers are rated differently on different platforms, so make sure you read reviews before contacting them.

If the photographer has no internet reviews, it’s a red flag – unless they’re brand new to the business. 

You can take it a step further and request permission to talk with one of their previous clients who is ready to share their story. 

If a photographer acts shady or refuses to let you access any of their reviews, it is most likely not your photographer.

Ask to see a portfolio 

Customers are frequently shown a portfolio of a photographer’s greatest work. The majority of people choose an online portfolio, such as a website.

A gallery frequently showcases a photographer’s greatest work, so if it doesn’t appeal to you, don’t look any further. 

If their gallery appears to be too good to be true, it most likely is. 

Request more images not included in their portfolio, or request to talk with a past client. 

If you find any discrepancies in the image quality or appeal, it’s likely that the photographer heavily manipulated the photos in his portfolio, which is a red sign. 

Ask about Insurance 

Although your big day is usually meticulously planned and leaves little opportunity for error, it’s always best to be safe than sorry.

Hopefully, nothing goes wrong at your wedding, but you should find out if your photographer is covered by insurance. 

You’ll need insurance to cover the expense of retaking your photos if something goes wrong and the photographer loses them. 

Insurance isn’t required because you’ll only need it on rare occasions, but it adds a layer of safety and gives you peace of mind knowing that the photographer is dedicated to their craft. 

Your photographer’s personality is important

You’re better off without a possible photographer if they have an irritating personality, regardless of how talented they are.

You’ll be spending an entire day or more with this photographer, so you should get along well and feel at ease with him. Regardless of how many clicks the photographer makes, if you don’t click, your images may not turn out the way you desire. 

Meet with your photographer a few times before the big day. Of course, meeting in person is preferable, but if that isn’t possible, create rapport via social media platforms or Skype, or Zoom chat. 

A decent photographer can catch excellent moments and situations; a great photographer can create flawless environments!

To feel at ease in front of the camera, your photographer should encourage and cheer you on.

Although not everyone knows how to pose or is particularly photogenic, your photographer can teach you all of these skills.

If the photographer is excessively introverted, the couple may feel unsure or nervous, and they will not be able to create natural photographs. 

Any backup?

Backup camera equipment is crucial, especially when shooting outside.

Rocks, lakes, mud, and inclement weather may wreak havoc on your photographer’s gear and ruin your trip.

A camera or lens, for example, could fail or, even worse, fall on a rock and shatter.

There are so many things that could go wrong, and the only thing that will keep you from rescheduling is having backup equipment. 

Backup memory cards are also required.

Inquire if and where your photographer backs up their photographs.

Is it possible to get another hard drive?

Is it the cloud?

You should entrust your wedding photography to a photographer who prioritizes backup. 

How about the spectacles?

In the case of a mishap, a photographer should have a variety of lenses on hand.

For example, if the photographer does not use the correct lens and it is windy, dirt can get inside the camera.

Although camera equipment is cumbersome to transport, make sure you inquire about the backup equipment your possible photographer has. 

Emergencies 

You must learn about the photographer’s previous adventures.

Experiential learning is enjoyable, but it may quickly devolve since you’re taking some serious risks.

Emergencies can occur at any time, and you’ll need a photographer who knows what to do in these situations. 

Earthquakes, snakes, bears, insect bites, and weather fluctuations are just a few of the dangers you should be aware of when going outside.

If your photographer has seen most of these things personally, they will know what to do in the event that something goes wrong.

You shouldn’t be afraid of the outdoors, but you should be prepared, especially if you’re traveling with a partner. 

Ask a photographer where they’ve traveled or walked, what kind of mountain gear they use, and if they know first aid before embarking on an excursion with them.

Details 

You should not disregard details when hiring a photographer.

For example, you should inquire about the number of weeks it will take for the photographer to provide the photographs, as some photographers can take months. Also, inquire about the number of photographs you will receive for the price you will pay. 

Professional photographers retain copyright to their work, but the couple is given permission to reproduce the images for personal use.

For an additional fee, some photographers provide a full-resolution digital file in the bundle. It’s advisable to inquire if you need to purchase them or if they come with the box. Also, read the contract carefully so you don’t have to forfeit your money if you cancel or change your elopement date.

How long should you wait to hire an elopement photographer? 

Many elopement photography packages function in the same way as a full day for a wedding photographer, which can range from 6 to 12 hours of shooting. 

But don’t worry if you don’t require a full 12-hour day of coverage and would rather have someone for a few hours.

If you don’t want a 12-hour day, we’re not here to upsell you!

Book Rocker in Love for your elopement!

We are the best way to capture your special day! 

 

We believe that your elopement should be a reflection of your unique love story, and we will work with you to create stunning images that capture the essence of who you are as a couple.

We are excited to be a part of your elopement and will work diligently to create a set of images that you will cherish for a lifetime.

 

With years of experience, we will be able to help you plan every aspect of your elopement, from choosing the right location to getting the perfect shots.

So if you’re looking for someone to capture your elopement in a way that is both creative and unique, then look no further than Rocker in Love!

 

Our elopement photography packages begin at 4 hours, but we are available for much longer.

Depending on your intentions, the length of time you should engage an elopement photographer will vary. 

Some couples prefer not to have their first looks photographed, while others do. 

Some couples choose to stay in one area, while others want to visit several! 

Your elopement package should be created specifically for you- we work with you to create a package that meets your specific requirements. 

You deserve to have the wedding of your dreams, and your wedding photographs should reflect you, your spouse, and your love. 

Please contact us to discuss your ideal wedding.

Gra e dani

ABOUT US

Joshua Tree Elopement

Grasi, Dani and Otto – We are a family of wedding photographers, together, full time on the road, capturing love and celebrating the fascinating variety of weddings all around.

Authors of the book collection “Wedding Tour“, we photograph weddings, cherishing the most beautiful love stories and diverse celebrations.

Our deep love for adventure and curiosity brings a sense of wonder in our work; capturing the truest moments, emotions and personalities to give you an experience to remember and make you smile.

joshua tree

GUET YOUR FREE GUIDE

Elope in Joshua Tree

rocker in love album 03 full size
Your Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect Elopement Photographer
Let's Start Your
Adventure Elope or Wedding?

We’re here for you. Being a photographer who specializes in elopements and intimate weddings invariably means we’ve got all the information you need to plan your incredible, perfect day!