Planning to get married in Jamaica? If so congratulations; you’re now among a growing number of couples around the world, who have decided to share their “I dos” on one of the most attractive Caribbean destinations.
With its lush vegetation, beautiful beaches and golden sunshine, the island is nothing short of paradise. Not only is it the third largest English-speaking Caribbean country, it is also one of the most-visited, based on the droves of tourists who flock its shores each year. On top of that, it is blessed with a number of ideal wedding spots, especially in some of the tourist areas, including Negril, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Portland, and even in Kingston, the nation’s capital.
Its wide array of nuptial-worthy locales makes for stunning backdrops, captivating poses, and memorable moments. However, capturing your wedding memories will also mean having a good photographer. Crappy pictures and the Jamaican scenery just don’t go together, so to help you out, here is a short but concise guide on how to find and choose the best wedding photographers in Jamaica before you book your trip.
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Compare Prices
Weddings on a whole are not cheap, so you need to take price into consideration when choosing the best wedding photographer in Jamaica. In fact, you should probably think of your budget first before anything else. Call around and compare prices, along with services, to see which one works out best for you.
What you want is the best value/price proposition, which will allow you to get memorable pictures that will last, without costing you an arm and a leg. Remember that you get what you pay for, so you probably don’t want to go with the cheapest. Also, be sure that everything you’re getting in the package is clearly stated. Some wedding photographers will include graphic design work in their packages, while others will just give you the plain pictures, so find out exactly what you’ll be getting for the agreed price.
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Check out Their Portfolios
Every good photographer should have a portfolio, either on their website or social media page(s). Even if they are new to the business, they should at least have a collection of amateur shots that displays their talent and knowledge of the craft.
Also, their portfolio should give you valuable insight about their photography style – their style should be agreeable with you – as well as how familiar they are with the Jamaican landscape and taking wedding pictures.
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Talk to Past Clients
If you know someone who got married in Jamaica, you can ask them for referrals. This is probably the easiest way to get connected with a qualified photographer who has proven himself or herself before. If you do not know anyone who got married on the island, there are other ways you can get background information on photographers.
Check out the social media pages of a few Jamaican photographers that you might have in mind and see what people are saying about them. Read reviews and ratings, plus if you see comments from past clients, you can message them directly and ask kindly for feedback. Also, you can ask for recommendations at the destination resort you’ll be staying at, or even the tour company you’ll be using.
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Test their Knowledge
So, you have managed to get in touch with a Jamaican photographer but before you give the okay for the individual or company to be your wedding photographer, you may want to ask a few questions to test their knowledge.
Ask questions relating to the Jamaican scene and also their experience with wedding photography. Wedding pictures are among the most precious that you will ever take, so you want to make sure the photographer you’re hiring will be able to give you the best results possible.
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How Passionate are They About Wedding Photography?
As with every profession, not all photographers are passionate about their craft. Not only that but some photographers, while loving their profession and being good in one area of photography, may not be all that into the wedding niche. You can tell this by looking at the type of pictures they are more accustomed to taking but you can also ask questions to find out how comfortable they are with doing wedding photography.
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What is their Style of Photography?
Every photographer has a unique style, which you could call their trademark. A look at his or her portfolio will tell you whether the photographer is a minimalist, a dramatist, or one who likes the classic look.
There are many other styles that photographers practice and some will specialize in more than one, so you should pay keen attention to what stands out in the portfolio, as well as get feedback (if possible) from the photographer about his or her style.
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Do You Click?
If the photographer’s personality does not click (no pun intended) with you, chances are his/her work won’t agree with you either. To begin with, it will be difficult to work with a photographer whose personality you just can’t stand and there could be misunderstandings. Get up to speed with what the photographer is like, whether through a telephone call, Skype call, or meeting in person for an interview when you set foot on Jamaican soil.
There are many talented photographers in Jamaica, so finding one should not be hard. Choosing the best one, however, may require a little research, especially if you’re not familiar with “the land of wood and water.” Take your time; it will definitely be worth it once you find the best wedding photographer in Jamaica that suits your needs.
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