How to hire a destination wedding photographer in Charleston, SC

I personally believe that one of the most exciting parts of planning a destination wedding in a place like Charleston, SC, is the opportunity to meet people who are passionate about helping you create memorable experiences – even when you’re far from home!

From food vendors to musicians, wedding planners, and photographers, finding the right person (or people) to partner up with might seem like a nerve-wracking experience. After all, how is someone you’ve never met going to know exactly what you want and like?

To that, I say: No stress! That’s what we’re here for!

And, to help you plan for the best, I’ve put together this handy guide to help you find and connect with your ideal destination wedding photographer in Charleston, SC!

The top 6 questions to ask your destination wedding photographer

When you first start looking into hiring a destination wedding photographer – in Charleston or anywhere else – there are certain things you should keep in mind to help you get a feel for how they work and if you’ll work well together.

In my 8 years as a photographer, some of the most common questions that my clients have asked are:

1. How familiar are you with Charleston?

This is key! If you’re traveling all the way to a place as beautiful as Charleston, SC, for your wedding, you want to make sure that your photographer is familiar with the area and knows all the best places to photograph your special moment.

If you’ve already researched places you might be interested in, ask them about these specific locations and also about why/why not they’d work for what you’re looking for.

In my case, when my clients ask me about how familiar I am with Charleston and the surrounding areas, I can confidently say that I’ll take them to spots that feel intimate, beautiful, and will help them shake off the pre-shoot nerves! These usually include spots like Kiawah Island and Folly Beach, or other amazing locations featuring iconic views. 

2. Will you visit the venue or travel to it?

Another question I get a lot is if, as a destination wedding photographer, I’m willing to travel or come to the venue. As the client, you want to be certain that the photographer is willing to move to where you’ll be and not the other way around!

Make sure you agree upon who will cover these travel costs prior to the day in order to avoid any miscommunication and that you stay in touch with the photographer in case of any last-minute changes. The last thing you want is to spend any extra money because plans changed and your photographer wasn’t aware of this!

3. What’s your photography style?

One of the most important questions to ask any photographer is about their style. This will be the key factor in deciding whether or not you want to work together!

Do you prefer dark and moody portraits? Are you a fan of light and airy shots? Make sure you understand really well how your destination wedding photographer shoots and take a look at their portfolio before making the big decision. 

Most photographers are happy to share their work with you and we won’t take offense if our style isn’t what you had in mind – there’s always something for everyone!

4. How will I receive the images?

Next on the list of questions to ask your potential destination wedding photographer is how they’ll send you the images once the shoot is done and the editing process has been completed.

Before committing, ask them how many final photos you will receive, how you’ll get access to them, and if they offer a print release or any packages that also include a printed album of your favorites.

Each photographer works differently and delivers results in their own unique way. With this in mind, you want to make sure that you’re comfortable with their specific process of delivering the final product before saying “yes!” to anyone.

5. How does payment work?

Understanding how to pay for your destination wedding photographer’s services is also essential when it comes to making a decision of who to work with.

Usually, a retainer is required to book and reserve your date. This could be a 50% deposit upfront, with the remaining payment due as your wedding approaches.

From experience, I require that payment is due one week before the wedding. In some cases, some photographers might ask for payment to be handed over 2-4 weeks ahead of time for an added sense of reliability.

Speak to your potential wedding photographer about how their payment system works and find one that you feel the most comfortable with.

My process as a destination wedding photographer in Charleston, SC

Like I mentioned above, I’ve been working as a destination wedding photographer for years. This means I’ve had quite some time to work on what I consider is the most ideal process when it comes to connecting with couples who are eager to bring their special day over to Charleston, SC!

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how I like to do things!

1. The client sends an inquiry

The first step is when a potential client reaches out to me via Instagram or my website inquiring about my photography services.

2. Send general information back

After the first contact is made, I’ll send over info and like to encourage folks to hop on a call with me so I can get a better idea of who they are as a couple, what they’re looking for from me as a photographer, and if they have any other specific questions (like the ones I highlighted above).

During our conversation, I try my best to learn about your plans for the day and to help guide you to make the best decision in terms of the package you want or need. This is one of the most important conversations I can have with you before booking because it gives us both a feel for how we’ll be working together if you decide to take the plunge.

3. Booking, invoicing & payment

Once you have made the decision to work with me as your destination wedding photographer, I send over a contract for you to read over and sign, as well as an invoice that again details the costs of my services.

Signing the contract and paying the invoice is what officially reserves your date. Once that’s done we can dig into the good stuff.

4. Welcome email & client questionnaire

In order to go deeper and help my clients celebrate their day intentionally, I’ll send over a questionnaire that lets me get to know them, their partner, and their families a little better. This usually includes your family names and VIP attendees at the wedding, as well as your preferences, details about your personality, and beyond.

This step is extremely important because it allows me to start getting a feel for what I’ll be working with on the day of the celebration, as well as the ways in which I can connect with the couples in order to help them feel comfortable and at ease in front of the camera.

5. Setting the timeline

For destination weddings in the Charleston area, there is quite a variety in terms of how far in advance clients book. I usually prefer it when my clients book me as a destination wedding photographer in advance, especially because there are wedding seasons that tend to get extremely busy.

I love speaking with couples first to make sure that the behind-the-scenes experience suits you, and that you know what to expect along the way. 

When you book, you will usually have your ceremony time confirmed but not yet the plan for your full day 100% confirmed. I will create a personalized suggested photography timeline for you, taking into account time for formal photos, details, newlywed portraits, and plenty of time for unrushed candid moments of the day.

6. Pre-wedding call

About two months before the wedding, I like to reconnect with my clients to go over any details that might have changed. This includes any updates in the guest list, the venue, the time of the event, the vendors they’ve hired, etc.

I sometimes take this time to help out if you are struggling with any of the planning or need a little added help when it comes to finalizing certain details. Connecting with the couple before meeting is important to make sure the transition from online or over-the-phone to in-person is as seamless as possible!

7. Wedding day 

The big day is here! I will check in with you when I arrive to say hello, check-in for any updates to the schedule (which is pretty normal for slight tweaks once the day arrives!), and your only job, truly, is to be in the moment. 

8. Sneak peek & editing

Within three days after the wedding, I like to share sneak peeks of what you can expect once the final editing is through. This makes the wait time a little more bearable – I say “little” because couples are always eager to see the final product! – and it gives you something to look forward to while I get to work on selecting, editing, and organizing the final shots.

9. Send the images to commemorate their 1-month anniversary

A month has gone by and…the photos are ready! To help you celebrate your 1-month wedding anniversary, I will send over your online gallery for you to enjoy the photos and relive your most special moments. These files are all delivered in high-resolution and with a print release in case you want to get them printed out!

I also offer the possibility for couples to commission a wedding album. I’ll take care of everything and make sure your album is delivered straight to your home.

Other things I like to keep in mind as a destination wedding photographer 

My favorite part about working as a destination wedding photographer is the opportunity to connect with couples who want to make Charleston, SC, a part of their special day. 

It brings me so much joy to work with people who have fallen in love with the area and want to make it a place they’ll remember forever! 

This is why all of my packages are designed with some extra room to be personalized until you feel like we’ve nailed your vision. 

I really enjoy getting to know each one of my clients personally in order to be as efficient as possible when it comes to planning the before, during, and after the ceremony. My years of experience have shown me how to organize packages that keep it easy, simple, and give you the options you need, yet without being one size fits all.  Even within the rituals of a wedding, no two people will ever be the same as each of you on that day – and I love to honor that with wedding photography! 

Lastly, when it comes to more specific things, I’m always happy to help my clients in terms of

• Restaurant recommendations
• Vendor recommendations
• Helping them understand the beach (tides, best spots, sunset, hours, etc.)

Having this insider knowledge helps me work with my clients to ensure that everything will run as smoothly as possible. 

All they need to worry about is being themselves!

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Want to connect with me as your destination wedding photographer in Charleston, SC? Let’s get to know each other and see how we can work together to celebrate your special day!