If you’re planning a destination wedding, one of the things you’ll need to decide on is whether to bring your preferred Hong Kong to your overseas wedding, or hire a local one from there already. As in all things, there are pros and cons for either choice. Today, we’re going to share the advantages and disadvantages of bringing your photographer with you to help you decide whether which option will be best for your special day. Read all about it below.
Advantages
(1) You know the kind of work he or she will deliver.
[From: This Beautiful Bali Wedding Had Us in Tears / Photo: Martin Aesthetics]
If you know your local photographer has all the skills and expertise you’re looking for, bringing him or her along will assure you of the quality of work. Some destination venues offer packages that include local photographers whom they’ve worked with. Even if they assure that this photographer will also provide quality service, if it doesn’t give you peace of mind, just bring your Hong Kong photographer.
(2) You’ll be more relaxed if you hire someone you trust.
[From: A Classic All-White Wedding in Bali Overlooking the Sea / Imaj Gallery]
As much every couple wants their wedding day to be perfect, there’s always that chance that challenges may come along on the day itself. When this happens, couples find comfort and confidence when they hire wedding vendors they trust. If you hire a photographer that you’re not very well acquainted with, you might end up panicking if something goes amiss. On the contrary, if you bring a Hong Kong photographer you trust to be able to handle any problems, you can let go and let him or her manage the situation.
(3) You can avoid communication barriers.
[From: This Bride Designed Almost Every Detail at Her Wedding! / Photo: The Stage Photography]
Sometimes hiring a foreign photographer poses communication issues between the couple and the vendor. There will be times where you’ll be faced with cultural differences and language barriers that require extra care and understanding. If you want to skip all this, bring your local photographer along to your wedding.
(4) You want a photographer that you can build good rapport with.
[From: A Tropical Wedding with a Dinner Banquet in a Famous Grotto / Photo: Polina Ilchenko]
One of the important things to consider when hiring a photographer is being able to find someone you get along with. We highly recommend communication with your photographer and building good rapport well before the wedding day. If you’re comfortable with each other, you’ll have a breeze shooting together come the wedding day. This might be challenging if you choose a photographer from your overseas destination because the distance will be a barrier to relationship building.
(5) Hong Kong photographers have worldwide tour dates that you can take advantage of.
[From: An Intimate, Modern Tropical Garden Wedding / Photo: Wittita Workspace Photography]
Many Hong Kong photographers announce their destination shoot tour dates beforehand. You can take advantage of this if you’re ideal wedding date falls within their tour dates. If you book them during this time, you may be able to save on costs since the tour already incorporates travel expenses.
Disadvantages
(1) It can be costly.
[From: A Classic All-White Wedding in Bali Overlooking the Sea / Imaj Gallery]
Flying a whole photography team can be expensive. You’ll need to shoulder the flights, accommodations, meals, and all other related expenses for the whole team. You will also have to take care of any other needs for the whole team. So if you really want to bring your Hong Kong photographer along, make sure you allot enough budget for him or her and the team.
(2) A destination photographer will be more knowledgeable about local culture, customs and other details.
[From: This Bride Designed Almost Every Detail at Her Wedding! / Photo: The Stage Photography]
If there are any local customs or other details, a photographer who is from your destination location will be able to guide you on what needs to be done–whether it be for shooting permits, cultural etiquette about shooting, and more. He or she can give you a heads up on any kind of local sensitivity when it comes to shooting.
(3) A destination photographer can recommend other local locations for shooting.
[From: A Tropical Wedding with a Dinner Banquet in a Famous Grotto / Photo: Polina Ilchenko]
If you’re planning to have your pre-wedding or post-nuptial shoots at your destination location as well, a photographer from the area will already know great shooting spots that you can go to. He or she will also know all the legalities of shooting in these locations–permits needed, other rules, etc.
(4) A destination photographer can help you connect with other vendors.
[From: An Intimate, Modern Tropical Garden Wedding / Photo: Wittita Workspace Photography]
If you’re also looking for other complimentary vendors for your wedding, a destination photographer will be able to give you local recommendations.
(5) A photographer from your overseas wedding location will be more flexible when it comes to schedule.
[From: This Beautiful Bali Wedding Had Us in Tears / Photo: Martin Aesthetics]
If you opt to fly a Hong Kong photographer over to your overseas wedding, you will have to be very mindful of his or her schedule since he or she will also have to manage the schedule for Hong Kong weddings and engagements. But if you have a photographer from your overseas location, he or she may have more flexibility since he or she is there already.
