Choosing a Photographer for Your European Elopement: Let These Award-Winning Images Inspire You

Disclaimer – This website contains affiliate links. We may earn a very small commission if you make a purchase using links on this site, at no extra cost to you. That’s how we can afford to keep this awesome site running!

So, you want to elope, but how on earth do you choose a photographer? With so many incredibly talented photographers all over Europe, how can you determine which one is the best for you? We’ll break down the mysteries of hiring an elopement photographer so you can make the best choice. Use this simple checklist for choosing your elopement photographer for your European elopement.

Familiarize yourself with the style of photography you’re drawn to

1. Photographers each have their own editing styles, and they don’t change them for each client. There’s also a big shift towards candid and documentary style photography, which is the opposite of editorial or posed photography. Some photographers do one or the other, and some do both. Finding out what images you like is a very important step in choosing the right elopement photographer for you.
   
   Candid and documentary style means unposed photos, with a lot of action shots and emotion, including laughter, tears, and everything in between. Photographers who shoot with a candid style may use ‘prompts’ to guide you, but won’t be stopping you to move your arm or adjust your flowers. The Elopement Photography Awards is the worldwide competition for candid elopement photography, and the award-winning images are as jaw-dropping as they are authentic and real. When selecting an elopement photographer for your elopement, look for photographers who have received recent recognition for their work. 
   
   Editorial photography is typified by portraits with blurry backgrounds, couples looking at the camera, soft smiles, flat lays of shoes, veils, invitations, or other accessories, and dreamy magazine-like poses. 

Choose an elopement photographer who is a local or experienced in your chosen location

Locals simply have the most experience and know the ins and outs of working in your spot. Sometimes that means knowing a local rooftop where you can watch the stars come out, or knowing which coastlines are most affected by winter tides. Choosing an elopement photographer with local knowledge helps reduce your elopement’s footprint and reduces the risk of travel-related snafus. 

Ask to see a full gallery

This is perhaps the most important step when it comes to choosing an elopement photographer. Every photographer has an amazing portfolio, and they may even seem similar on the surface. But asking to see a full elopement gallery from a few photographers will give you all the information you need to make an informed choice. For example, some photographers may struggle in cramped getting-ready rooms, or perhaps the way they direct small groups isn’t your jam. Maybe the photographer takes epic golden-hour portraits, but isn’t as proficient in bright direct sun or once the sun goes down. Seeing one entire elopement from start to finish will give you the most accurate representation of what your elopement photos will look like. 

Connect with prospective photographers on a video call

You’ll be sharing this significant moment in your life with precious few people, so you want to ensure that you choose an elopement photographer that you genuinely like and get along with! You’ll get that gut feeling when you meet the right photographer, and conversation will flow naturally. 

Check their credentials

1. There are lots of professional photographers, but we’ve also all heard the stories of couples who didn’t get their photos from less reputable photographers. Confirm they have insurance, any necessary permits, and a contract with a photo delivery deadline that will protect you. Definitely check your photographers’ reviews, and don’t just look at the star-rating when choosing an elopement photographer. Reading what their past clients have loved or not loved about their experience will give you an insight as to what your experience may be like.
   Take reviews with a grain of salt. Each couple only hires 1 elopement photographer, so they don’t have multiple experiences to compare.

• Another way of checking that your photographer is legit is by their accomplishments. Has the photographer you’re considering won any awards for their work? Because the Elopement Photography awards are based on the photographers’ skill and not their marketing abilities, you know you are hiring the very best of the industry. Your photos will be authentic and well-captured. 

Consider your budget

If great elopement photography is important to you and your partner, be prepared to spend a bit more on your photographer than other elopement vendors. If you’re on a tight budget, it is better to get the more expensive photographer you love for a few hours than to spend a few thousand on a photographer whose style, personality or portfolio doesn’t match what you’re looking for. Over the course of your future, you can make more money. However, you cannot get those fleeting moments back if they weren’t captured during your elopement. 

Get inspired by these epic and authentic European Elopement Photography Award winning images

If you typically feel awkward in front of a camera, don’t let that hold you back! You are choosing an elopement photographer who is a professional, and they will take care of you. An experienced European elopement photographer will guide you into good angles, flattering lighting, and create an atmosphere where it’s easy to feel comfortable being your true selves. Let the champagne flow, adventure your way, and have every little beautiful and unplanned moment unfold naturally. You can be fully yourself – we’re ready for it. 

Elopement Photography Legend Awards by European Elopement Photographers

Author Bio

Save this Post