Home Based vs Destination Photographer

CapeMJA84

I'm new on this board, so please excuse me.  I briefly considered having a destination wedding but now have a friend planning one and we never considered there could ever be a chance to take a local photographer to our destination.  The company I'm using actually offers destination weddings off season for free - just pay for travel expenses.  My friend just booked them and the whole thing (normally $2000) is only $850 for air, hotel, car.  It seems unbelievable and like there should be a catch but there isn't.  Anyway, has anyone else considered bringing a local vendor with them?  The company I'm using is in Boston at http://www.berryphotos.com/Berryphotos/Destination_Weddings.html but just wondering what other people think.

Thanks!

breaness

We brought a local photographer and she did everything for the cost of her and her hubby to have a 4 night vacay in Hawaii. It cost us less than $2k and this is what we got:

Engagement session

high res images from that

8x10 print

20 spread book

Full day wedding coverage

all the high res images

BEAUTIFUL album (valued at $1k) 

Trash the dress session

all high res images

I think her regular pricing for this would have been around $4k.

venus909

I'm bringing my own photographer and her assistant.  I'm actually from Chicago and my photographer is from Louisiana, but she had the style we wanted and was willing to do a different "deal" for us. 

We also are only paying for airfare and stay for 3 nights for both of them in exchange for Full wedding day coverage and a TTD session.  She may also cover the rehersal dinner if we do one.  We will get all the high-res images with rights.

I believe there are photographers that do it and there is no catch.  Mostly because this in an opportunity for a "free" vacation as well as to add different types of photos to their portfolio.

WinstonsGirl

We're also bringing our photographers with us.  They did my brother's wedding and were amazing to work with, so I knew I wanted them if I ever got married.  It's a husband and wife, and he grew up going to Maui, so they decided to make it a family vacation, and we're paying basically for their inter-island flights (about $600) plus the regular cost of their DW package, so we got a super sweet deal with them.  

angybanez

If their work is amazing and you LOVE their pictures and they're giving you all high resolution images and additional coverage for rehearsal or day after session/TTD etc, go for it! 

FaithCaitlin

I'm bringing my favorite photog from home!

kimmykupcakes

We are bringing our photographer, too. We are paying for her trip and in exchange she's doing all of our wedding photos and photos for the whole time we are there.

goodine11

I am bringing my photographer from home. He is a family friend who is a professional photographer. He is giving us 300 pictures  and a disc for the same price ( including his travel fees) as the resorts photographer. He and out at home pastor will be there for three days /two nights.

CapeMJA84

Wow, I wasn't expecting all these replies - thank you SO much, this really helps.  Yeah, I spoke with our photographer and I can't believe it!  We just pay for air, hotel and rental car for 4 days 3 nights and we have him for however many sessions we'd like (engagement, rehersal dinner, full wedding, trash-the-dress) as long as we're on island and we're getting every image on disc.  It'll be like $1200 total and they usually start at $2000!  I never even considered a photographer would do this, but yeah - he's getting a free vacation, so why not?!  Wow!  Again, they're www.berryphotos.com and I am thrilled!!