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Opinion on these three photographer options

FutureMrsBrandonLucasFutureMrsBrandonLucas member
10 Comments
in Hawaii
As I'm still trying to find the perfect venue I am also working on my second most important aspect ... photography. I'd like some opinions.

We are having a very small wedding in HI and then having a reception with all our family when we get back. So we want coverage for both, plus I want to do a rock the dress session and have our photographer go on our whale watch, snorkel or shark dive with us; just to ge some more professinal pics in paradise.

I have two outstanding photographers who are extremely interested in coming to Hawaii to shoot our wedding. The have both shot destination weddings elsewhere and their package price (which includes everything I mentinoed above plus their travel) is not much more than the HI wedding photographers I've recieved quotes from for wedding day only coverage.

Has anyone had a photographer who has never shot in HI? That is my only  worry about bringing someone. that they won't know the "good spots" or that their equipment may not be suited for HI.

Thoughts?
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Re: Opinion on these three photographer options

  • WinstonsGirlWinstonsGirl member
    Knottie Warrior 2500 Comments 500 Love Its 5 Answers
    We're bringing our photographers in, but we're not married yet, so I can't tell you how it works.  We've been before, so last time we were there we kept an eye out for interesting locations and took picutres and gave these locations to our photographers.  
    They were the same one's my brother used, and I can tell you that even locally, they just walked around downtown with us and looking for places that caught their eye.  I would think that a good photographer will also have an eye for places/things that will make good and interesting photos.  I can let you know how it went when we get back though

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  • dianalynmdianalynm member
    500 Comments Second Anniversary
    Our photographer shot our engagement session in San Francisco an he's from Maui, now living in Portland. We had list of places we wanted to use, and we just let him do his thing. If you give your photographer an idea of where you want to shoot, it definitely helps, and they usually take it from there since they have an eye for their surroundings.
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  • FutureMrsBrandonLucasFutureMrsBrandonLucas member
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    Thank you KJE! If you wouldn't mind to share I'd also love to see your list. Going on a scouting trip would be sooo nice ... but I'm just thrilled we're going at all :)
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  • WinstonsGirlWinstonsGirl member
    Knottie Warrior 2500 Comments 500 Love Its 5 Answers
    We're getting married in Waikiki, so our places were Ft. Derussy Park and the beach piers outside of our wedding hotel, as they're both close.  Then the next day, Kapiolani Park with the banyan trees and possibly Magic Island for the sunset views

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  • marriedonmauimarriedonmaui member
    100 Comments
    We brought our photographer from baltimore and she's amazing. As we got closer to the date, I got more and more worried that she hadn't shot in Hawaii and I honestly freaked out a bit. As it turns out, the photos were amazing and just as good as the best photographers on Maui that I had seen. I really couldn't be happier with our wedding photos and she gave us A LOT in exchange for the trip to Hawaii, including an engagement session and trash the dress session.
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  • FSForeverFSForever member
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    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_hawaii_opinion-on-these-three-photographer-options?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:73Discussion:e3b9246d-6239-4123-9284-b79fe2e70a89Post:3fdb586a-51bd-446d-a567-02206a8e8775">Re: Opinion on these three photographer options</a>:
    [QUOTE]We brought our photographer from baltimore and she's amazing. As we got closer to the date, I got more and more worried that she hadn't shot in Hawaii and I honestly freaked out a bit. As it turns out, the photos were amazing and just as good as the best photographers on Maui that I had seen. I really couldn't be happier with our wedding photos and she gave us A LOT in exchange for the trip to Hawaii, including an engagement session and trash the dress session.
    Posted by marriedonmaui[/QUOTE]

    <div>Funny Brea, I had a freak out last night about ours never having been to HI. He will be fine and shot my daughters wedding so I know it will work out but we are getting ready to buy his air and I think it just made it real to me. He is also giving us a lot for the buck. </div>
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  • marriedonmauimarriedonmaui member
    100 Comments
    Yeah, I was really concerned about Jen because some of the things I knew I wanted but I hadn't seen her ever do. So I just sent her a few photos that I liked to let her know what I was looking for. She was grateful for me showing her and she did her first ever sunset + flash photo for our wedding. It turned out great!

    If you have any concerns, let them know what you like. It's worth it!

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  • Tanq&TonicTanq&Tonic
    1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    We flew our photographer in from the mainland. I think they got some amazing photos (and a bit of a different perspective than the 'usual suspects'). However, there was also definitely an element where I feel like they were distracted by the 'Hawaii' factor and focused on portfolio fodder that they overlooked areas they should not have, including things on my shot list. I have few photos where my eyes are open, no photos with my MOH or officiant, our ring shot is a joke, and even things specifically on my shot list were poorly executed. But again, from the shots they did get, we have artwork that could grace the walls of a high end gallery! So, it's definitely not all bad, but know you might take some risks and be explicit with what you really expect. On the other hand, supporting local vendors is also a great thing to do, so you could consider asking if they will match / counter the multi-event package you're getting from others.
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  • bbakerrdbbakerrd
    10 Comments
    You might want to check out Adam Palmer.  He lives in Hawaii and is very familiar with the Islands.  He has formal training in Photography ( BA in photography) and doesn't charge more than any other photographer
    Good luck!
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  • marriedonmauimarriedonmaui member
    100 Comments
    Tanq that's really sad, I didn't know you had that issue!! From the photos I did see you had some really beautiful stuff!
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  • AKWinterBrideAKWinterBride member
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    We flew in a photographer from San Diego and loved her!  The local photorgaphers just can't offer packages like some of the people who are willing to travel to a DW can.  My photog was half the price of local photographers for the amount of coverage we got.  My only advice would be to make sure that your photographer has some experience shooting near sand and water.  Light plays very differently on sand/water than grass. 
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  • DazzlingDeb23DazzlingDeb23 member
    Second Anniversary 10 Comments Name Dropper
    I just hired Melissa McClure, she will be flying in from San Diego.  I found her through suggestions on this board...her photos are beautiful and she is super nice, and offers a much better deal than I could find for Maui photographers!!
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  • elellingsonelellingson member
    10 Comments
    Check out Erica Rose www.erosephoto.com
    she lives in Anchorage but flies to Hawaii frequently (she did for ours!)
    Going with someone who is familiar with HI is a good idea :)
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  • FutureMrsBrandonLucasFutureMrsBrandonLucas member
    10 Comments

    Thank you everyone for all the feedback. I want to avoid the freak out moment LOL so I'm trying to make the best decision J The largest part of my budget is going to photos. They are sooo important to me.

    Our wedding will be the first time we both visit Hawaii, so I'm worried about not being able to tell them where to shoot. For all of you who were in Maui, can you share with me your list? Or even if you didn't have an official list, share the locations where you captured your favorite shots or places you visited during your stay that you wish you had your photographer by your side.

    For the money, the mainland photographers are blowing everyone out of the water! I love Anna Kim's work, but again the price of the mainland folks and what they are covering just can't be beat! They are both so thrilled to have "an excuse" to shoot in Hawaii that they are really offering an amazing deal. Still a lot of money, but worth it.  

    I'm also on the hunt for a cinematographer ... but so far they are all out of my budget. Looking to spend around $1,000.

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  • AKWinterBrideAKWinterBride member
    Knottie Warrior 1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    Good choice Deb!!  Melissa was my photographer and she is amazing!! 
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