Pro Tips from a Destination Wedding Photographer

We sat down with Vincent Van den Berg, the lead photographer with Pixan Photography, who gave us his pro tips from a destination wedding photographer point of view.

In 2017, he was voted one of the best 10 photographers in the world and #1 destination wedding photographer in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

With over 20 years experience and 500+ destination weddings under his belt, here are thoughts on:

wedding ceremony in a dome like wedding gazebo

3 keys for successful wedding photos

What is the most important thing to you when working with your couples?

1: It’s key that couples choose the right Hotel/Resort and Venue for their Destination Wedding and all their guests. (Need a little help? let us know!)

2: It’s important that the ceremony, cocktail, and reception is programmed for the right time of the day. It’s hot here and generally 2 hours before sunset is the right time for the ceremony.

3: For me to establish a great connection with my clients which I normally achieved via a pre-wedding conference at which time I get to know them a little, get an idea of their style and taste before working with them to create a photography/video service timeline that fits perfectly with their wedding day plan.

artistic wedding photo of bride and groom cheering

How to choose a destination wedding photographer

What would you advise couples to consider when hiring a wedding photographer?

Look at past work on photographers’ websites, Instagram, or Facebook. Make a list of those photographers whose work you like best. Check out their reviews and reach out for more info. If their price fits or is close to your budget then ask to speak with them, via video chat, or in person.

During your consultation, if you strike up a good connection with your photographer so that you are able to work together to come up with an organized timeline and day plan then that’s a great start!!! By the end of the conversation, you should be left feeling confident that you are in good hands, happy, motivated, organized, and excited !!!

Then all that is left to do is accept that the quote fits your budget and carefully read the contract terms before you fully commit.

https://vimeo.com/386322004

Average cost for a destination wedding photographer

What is the average cost for destination wedding photos?

Photographers’ experience, quality, equipment, service, work, process, and final product varies greatly.

Top experienced photographers with a great portfolio and tons of reviews will likely make a personal connection with you, deliver personalized service, and capture potentially award-winning unique wedding images that you and your family will treasure for a lifetime or more. Expect to spend upwards of 2000 USD for 6 hours of coverage or more.

groom and bride holding hands in front of a runt colored wall

Hotel wedding photographer versus a full-time wedding photographer

Is an outsourced photographer better than the hotel vendor?

Part-Time weekend wedding photographers and young photographers who work for in-house resort photography concessions are generally people who enjoy photography a great deal and own a half-decent camera or better. The time that they spend on the overall service, their equipment, and experience level is normally inferior compared with a true full-time wedding photographer. They are unlikely to strike up a personal relationship with you or deliver unique wedding photos. These guys will likely charge you 50% less.

bride with asymmetrical gown with the ocean in the background

Extra factors to consider

What other factors should couples consider when choosing a wedding photographer?

Warning! You may be considering traveling with a photographer that you already have a relationship with from your area. This is possible however if you are paying that person he/she must obtain a Mexican working visa, if not they will be working illegally.

Furthermore, I have noticed that there are some Mexican/foreign photographers who have set up brands with websites and social media promoting themselves as wedding photography businesses without possession of a Mexican working permit or being registered with the authorities as self-employed or a business. This strategy saves money and provides them with the power to undercut businesses such as ours. To protect yourself ask to see a residency permit and a receipt.

groom and groom in front of a colorful mural of a catarina

Outside Vendor Fees

Any tricks to get around outside vendor fees?

More workarounds than tricks, to find out more please contact me for more info [email protected]

How to plan the wedding day timeline for the best wedding pictures

How do you suggest planning the ‘getting ready’ portion of the day?

  • Schedule your in-room hair and makeup appointments so that they finish at the time your photographer arrives to capture getting ready.
  • Order room service so that you and your guests are enjoying a relaxed, comfortable, and fun atmosphere in your room.
  • Schedule in about 1 hour for getting ready with the photographer present.
https://vimeo.com/303856687

How do you plan out all the other events to ensure that the couple gets the pictures they want, but that they also have the time with their friends and family that they want too?

  • 1 hour for getting ready photos after the hair and makeup artist leaves
  • 1 hour for a 1st look. If you don’t mind seeing your partner before you walk down the Aisle there are clear benefits to be had.
  • Creates another romantic moment for the 2 of you to enjoy being fully present with each other rather than seeing each other for the 1st time in front of all your guests.
  • Creates the opportunity to capture some romantic images of the couple around the resort within beautiful settings that might be far away from your ceremony, cocktail party, and reception.
  • Means that after the ceremony there will not be a great need to leave your wedding guests during the cocktail to capture romantic images, allowing you more time to stay connected and enjoy the moment.
  • Allows us to capture images of you in a greater variety of scenes.
unique wedding gazebo with bride, groom and many florals overlooking the ocean at sandos hotel

Best hotels for destination wedding photos

Do you have a favorite hotel(s) and why?

I can’t say that I have an overall favorite hotel because they are all so different. However, I am happiest at work when I’m in the flow, connecting, and capturing moments of genuine authentic love amidst the beauty of creation. To create this environment the couple and all their guests have to be in the right hotel, resort, or venue for them.

That is why in the planning stage it is important that everyone is considered.

Personally I love boutique hotels in Tulum because they are so unique and genuine, but if you have elderly guests who need assistance getting about it might not be the best option because of the uneven dimly lit sandy walkways.

Here are some of my images and a brief description of a few favorite destination wedding options in the area.

https://vimeo.com/383674042

Hotel Xcaret Mexico

Probably my favorite corporate hotel because of its unique design that fuses Mexican art, texture, and nature together to excite and stimulate all the senses.

Yet I hear that they are not the easiest resort to work with in terms of wedding planning, booking, and reservations. This company added me to their preferred supplier list without asking me, then 6 weeks later removed me from the list without any valid explanation.

With that said, I adore photographing weddings here. The place is simply stunning, with next-level stuff, and the food super yummy.

See more information on weddings at Hotel Xcaret

collage of wedding photos hotel xcaret

The Fives Playa Del Carmen

Great resort in Playa del Carmen with an experienced romance team who are very good at operating destination weddings. All the rooms are super large, like vacation condos great for getting ready. The food is super yummy, there are loads of spots to capture great photos and the wedding venues are super. Highly recommended and has good value.

See more information on weddings at The Fives Beach Hotel

collage of images for wedding photos at the fives beach playa del carmen

Mahayana Tulum Beach Homes

Beach life perfection in the middle of trendy Tulum. If you are planning an intimate private wedding and value connection with nature, art, and authenticity over tons of amenities and the formalities offered by the large international corporate resorts, then Mahayana Tulum Beach Homes could be the right option for you.

collage of images from mayahana beach homes in tulum

Zorba Beach Homes Tulum

Mahayana Tulum’s big brother, Zorba, comprises 6 fully appointed stunning beach homes in the heart of trendy Tulum. If big busy corporate hotels are not your thing and you are looking for privacy, connection with nature, and authenticity this could well be the place.

collage of images taken at Zorba tulum

Live Aqua Cancun

In the heart of Cancun, this Adult-only resort offers an amazing spa, great service, and food. Great value! Highly recommended

collage of wedding photos live aqua cancun

Hyatt Ziva Cancun

Hyatt Ziva Cancun is a large corporate hotel with nice rooms, and great food. The main draw of this resort is its geographic location which is, without doubt, the best in Cancun making it a stunning destination wedding venue.

Get more information on weddings at Hyatt Ziva Cancun

collage of wedding photos hyatt ziva cancun

Engagement Photoshoot Promo

Planning a site inspection visit to Cancun, the Riviera Maya, or Playa del Carmen? Take advantage of the engagement photoshoot promo!

Book an engagement ‘save the date’ photoshoot with Vincent, and not only do you get to meet in person to establish a connection, but he will deduct the cost of the shoot from whatever wedding or video package you book with him for your destination wedding in Mexico.

Plus, you get stunning images like the ones here.

collage of engagement photos

More about Vincent

Originally from the Netherlands, he traveled the world for 10 years before choosing to settle in Playa del Carmen. He has lived in the area for over 10 years now with his wife and family.

Human connection is a priority for Vincent, as photographing your wedding is a personal relationship and he will be privy to one of the most important days of your life.

A first video consultation is always of utmost importance, to establish that connection and see if the relationship feels right.

Contact Vincent Now

headshot of vincent van den berg destination wedding photographer

Conclusion

We hope that these pro tips from a destination wedding photographer will help you get the absolute best wedding photos and have helped you with your destination wedding planning.

Have questions or doubts?

Our team is here and happy to help.

Get in touch

1-888-472-7077

[email protected]

 

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