Destination weddings are becoming more and more popular, with couples opting to tie the knot at an exotic location with a small group of friends and family members. Although many destination wedding locations have resorts that include wedding packages and planners that help coordinate the wedding logistics, you’ll still need to find the perfect photographer to shoot your special day. Our list of the top 20 destination wedding photographers is not listed in any particular order and each would be a fantastic choice for your beautiful wedding.
1. Chrisman Studios – San Francisco, California
Ben and Erin Chrisman, co-owners of San Francisco-based Chrisman Studios, are two of the most celebrated wedding photographers in the world. They have shot many weddings worldwide, working both seamlessly together and separately, creating stunning images that simply thrill their clients. Both Ben and Erin have received numerous awards and accolades including both being named one of American Photo’s Top 10 Wedding Photographers in the World and one of the Top 10 Most Sought After Wedding Photographers of 2012 by Rangefinder Magazine. Ben was selected as the Wedding Photojournalist Association’s Photographer of the Year in 2007 and both Ben and Erin are award-winning members of the WPJA. Their destination wedding photography skills have brought them all over the world to exotic destinations to capture beautiful wedding ceremonies, including Mongolia, Bhutan, Venezuela and Israel.
Ben has been a professional photographer for 20 years and Erin has been a professional photographer for 12 years. Their basic package is $8,500, while packages from their associates start at $5,200. This package includes 8 hours of photography, an 8×10-inch album with 40 photos, an online image gallery and the Web-resolution files for online use.
2. David Beckstead – Kettle Falls, Washington
David Beckstead has traveled to over 80 countries and to almost every state in the United States, demonstrating his passion for travel. Combining this passion with his artistic eye and photography skills, David has earned his reputation as one of the world’s top destination wedding photographers. Not only has he been selected as one of American Photo’s Top 10 Wedding Photographers in the World and the Wedding Photojournalist Association’s Photographer of the Year in 2002, but he also speaks at numerous professional photography workshops worldwide every year. David’s wedding photography talent has brought him to shoot weddings in fabulous locations such as Vietnam, Slovenia, Hungary and the Bahamas.
David began shooting weddings in 1996 and shot his first destination wedding in England in 1998. He was immediately hooked and decided to exclusively shoot destination weddings in the year 2000. His basic photography packages range from $7,000 to $15,000.
3. Our Labor Of Love – Atlanta, Georgia
Jesse and Whitney Chamberlin are the co-founders of Our Labor of Love, a studio that takes pride in creating unique photographs that capture real beauty rather than manufactured photos that pasteurize originality. This photography duo works seamlessly and complementarily together to give each couple a collection of images that serve as a constant reminder of who they are, no matter how times may change. Jesse and Whitney were selected as one of American Photo’s Top 10 Wedding Photographers in the World and their work is constantly featured in publications such as Destination Weddings & Honeymoons, Southern Weddings and New York Weddings. Their niche as destination wedding photographers has brought them to places like Morocco, Jamaica, England and all over the United States.
Jesse has 15 years of experience as a professional photographer, but was exploring his love for photography at the age of 11 by developing film out of his bathtub. A basic package starts at $6,500 for either Jesse or Whitney, while packages with their associates start at $3,500. These packages include 2 photographers, 7 hours of coverage, 50 hours of post, an online slideshow and online proofing.
4. JAG Studios – New Haven, Connecticut
Jacklyn Greenberg approaches wedding photography with a fresh perspective and a distinctive style. Her goal is to document each unique wedding day naturally with both artistic and candid photographs that capture the true substance of the wedding in images of timeless style. Her extensive travels and immersion in foreign cultures has brought her to the realm of destination wedding photography. Jacklyn is a multiple award-winning member of Junebug Weddings, Fearless Photographers, International Society of Professional Wedding Photographers and has been selected as one of PDN’s Top Knots. Her work has been featured in numerous bridal publications including the first gay wedding in Martha Stewart Wedding Magazine and the cover stories of Destination Wedding Magazine, Cake & Whiskey, and Grace Ormonde Wedding Style New England Magazine. She has photographed couples all over the world, including Jamaica, Mexico,Germany, England and France.
Jacklyn has been shooting weddings professionally for 6 years but spent her career in the architectural and interior photography field for many years prior. A basic a la carte package starts at $7,600. A sample collection is $11,600 and includes a destination engagement shoot, wedding day coverage, high resolution images and a fine art album.
5. Robert Evans Studios – Los Angeles, California
Robert Evans is one of the most sought after celebrity wedding photographers in the world and treats each of his clients with the same passion and detail, resulting in photos of moments that touch people’s hearts. His A-list clientele includes Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston and Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton. Robert is Sony’s wedding Artisan of Imagery, a prestigious title only given to eight photographers worldwide and his work has been featured in publications such as People Magazine, USA Today, US Weekly, Martha Stewart Living and Grace Ormonde Weddings. Robert’s prodigious career as a celebrity and destination wedding photographer has brought him to ideal locations such as France, Bermuda and Mexico.
Robert has been photographing weddings for over 25 years. He shot his first solo wedding in January 1989. His destination wedding packages start at $9,500 and include up to ten hours of coverage and a second photographer.
6. Mike Colón – Newport Beach, California
Mike Colón is a world renowned celebrity wedding and lifestyle photographer and has traveled the world for his assignments. His gift for capturing life enables him to provide couples with beautiful and emotional images from their special day. Mike was named a Nikon “Legend Behind the Lens” early in his career, making him the youngest photographer to ever receive this honor. In addition to this prestigious award, his work has also been featured in Wedding Style, Rangefinder magazine, Photo District News and Modern Bride. His celebrity clientele includes A-list stars like Usher, Timbaland and Kenny Wayne Shepherd. Mike has shot weddings worldwide including in exotic destinations such as Turks & Caicos, Jamaica, Tanzania, Japan and Monaco.
Mike started shooting professionally in 1995, giving him 19 years of experience. His basic destination wedding package is $15,000 and includes full coverage on the wedding day, a pre-wedding portrait session and a custom album.
7. Davina + Daniel – Montreal, Canada
Davina and Daniel Kudish are a husband-and-wife photography duo that met each other while working together on a magazine article. Since then, they have shot weddings all over the world, recognizing that they are never done learning and are always willing to try out new things. Both Davina and Daniel were selected as one of Rangefinder Magazine’s Most-Sought-After Wedding Photographers of 2012 and have received awards from the International Society of Professional Wedding Photographers and Fearless Photographers. Their photography skills have taken them to shoot weddings in places like Bhutan, Guatemala, Panama and Bali.
Davina and Daniel have been shooting together professionally since 2007. Their destination wedding coverage begins at $10,500 and includes coverage at the rehearsal, on the wedding day and a day-after session. Travel within the US or Canada is also included, while coverage with travel to other destinations around the world is slightly higher. Files, prints and collections can be purchased a la carte.
8. Simply Bloom Photography – Huntsville, Alabama
Simply Bloom Photography is comprised of photography duo Vania and Christine. Their European heritage (Vania is Italian and Christine is German) is reflected in their photography styles by combining German minimalism with Italian femininity. This combination creates their modern-vintage style of wedding photography. Simply Bloom has been recognized as one of the Best Destination Wedding Photographers by Destination Weddings & Honeymoons Magazine and their careers have brought them to worldwide destinations such as China, Germany, Italy and Hawaii.
Vania and Christine founded Simply Bloom Photography in 2008. Their basic destination wedding package is $4,500 and includes all travel costs, 7 hours of coverage and a DVD of images (4×6 resolution).
9. We Are The Parsons – Kansas City, Missouri
Ashley and Jeremy Parsons have spent years honing and developing their craft to achieve their natural documentary style of photography. They spend time getting to know each couple personally before the wedding to understand their stories in order to beautifully capture them on their special day. They have been named one of American Photo’s Top 10 Wedding Photographers in the World and their clients have brought them to Sweden, Ireland, Australia, South America, Africa and all over the United States.
Ashley and Jeremy have been shooting full time for six years. When they first decided to make photographs of couples, they noticed that many photographers offered packages that did not seem realistic to them. Due to this notion, they decided to never use packages with their couples but rather to provide each couple with their time, their travel expenses and their images gifted to them after the wedding. Because each couple and location is different and because they have very honest and open relationships with their couples, they talk openly to agree on a price that meets all of their needs. This means that every time, the thankfulness and trust in the relationship keeps their work raw, honest, and meaningful.
10. Callaway Gable – Los Angeles, California
A former working actor and model, husband and wife Brian and Allison Callaway of Callaway Gable combine their extensive experience in front of the camera with their brilliant ability to capture images behind it. Together they make one of the most talented photography teams on the planet. Allison was just recognized as a Top Ten Fearless Photographer of 2013, while Brian finished in the Top Twenty. Other awards include Junebug Best of the Best every year since 2011-2014, several ISPWP 1st place finishes, and ISPWP top ten overall finishes. Destination Weddings & Honeymoons magazine has ranked them as a distinguished A-List Destination Wedding Photographer. Their wedding work has appeared in People, US Weekly, Town & Country, Destination Weddings, Brides, Inside Weddings and more. Commercial and lifestyle work has been in National Geographic, Flaunt and more. With a clientele that includes celebrities, professional athletes and creatives, their work has taken them all over the world with weddings in India, Bora Bora, Sweden, Colombia, Hawaii, Mexico and all over North America.
Brian has been a commercial photographer for 20 years and Callaway Gable is in its 6th year. Destination wedding photography collections with both Brian and Allison averages around $14,000, while collections with either Brian or Allison start at $7,500 plus travel costs. Collections with their associates are available for $4,500 plus travel costs. These packages include event coverage, wedding site location scout, portrait locations scout (this takes 4-6 hours for destination weddings to find the most amazing spots), a fine art wedding book, a day-after shoot, two photographers, an online highlights slideshow, full online gallery and a flash drive of all color-corrected images.
11. Samm Blake – New York, New York
Samm Blake‘s ultimate goal when shooting weddings is to capture the true emotion of how the couple felt on their wedding day. To achieve this goal, she collaborates and establishes communication with her clients to allow them to show a more honest, vulnerable side of themselves. Samm was selected as one of American Photo’s Top 10 Wedding Photographers in the World, is an award-winning member of the Wedding Photojournalist Association and has received numerous other awards from distinguished and prestigious photography associations. About 80% of the weddings Samm shoots are destination weddings, and they have brought her to places like Iceland, Japan, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia and New Zealand.
Samm has 12 years of being a professional photographer and her basic package starts at $5,000. This package includes 6 hours of photography, online galleries and full resolution digital negatives.
12. KT Merry Photography – Miami, Florida
KT Merry‘s background in fashion photography combined with her eye for fine art gives her the ability to create truly beautiful wedding images. Her love for natural light and finding beauty in everyday things keeps her inspired. KT was selected as one of PDN Magazine’s Top 20 Rising Stars in Wedding Photography as well as one of Destination Weddings & Honeymoons Magazine’s A List Destination Photographers. Her work has been featured in worldwide publications like Martha Stewart Weddings, Brides Magazine and Southern Weddings and her talent has brought her to shoot weddings in fabulous destinations such as France, Italy and all over the United States.
KT has been in the professional wedding photography industry for nearly 12 years. Her basic packages start at $8,000 and clients can contact her directly for more information.
13. Gruber Photographers – New York, New York
Terry Gruber has a natural affinity for viewing the world through a lens. He began his career in photography as a celebrity fashion and beauty photographer’s assistant, slowly making a name for himself as a photojournalist. By applying the narrative film technique of shooting scenes with a master shot, medium shot and close-up, he is able to create images that are full of drama and emotion that thrill his clients time and time again. Terry was selected as one of Destination Weddings & Honeymoons Magazine’s Top Destination Wedding Photographers and received Modern Bride’s Trendsetter Award. His work has been published in international publications such as Vogue, Glamour, People Magazine and Inside Weddings and his talent has brought him to shoot destination weddings in locations such as Italy, France, the Caribbean and all over the United States.
Terry has over 25 years of experience as a professional photographer. Complete wedding packages start at $7,000 and include a lead photographer with a shooting partner and assistant, a 1-hour engagement session, a website for 6 months, a proofing CD, a 12×16 bound album and two mini albums with 100 of “Gruber’s favorite photos of your wedding.”
14. This Modern Romance – Costa Mesa, California
Stephanie Williams and her husband Isaac make up the photography duo that is This Modern Romance. They are inspired by love and life and have mastered the perfect blend of editorial and fine art style to create gorgeous, stunning destination wedding photos. Stephanie was selected as one of Destination Weddings & Honeymoons Magazine’s Top 20 Destination Wedding Photographers in the World as well as one of PDN’s Rising Stars in Wedding Photography. Her work has been featured in publications such as Brides Magazine and Pacific Weddings and she has traveled to destination weddings worldwide, including to Italy, Mexico, Taiwan and all over the United States.
Stephanie has been shooting weddings professionally for 8 years. Her basic package starts at $5,500 and includes a second shooter, up to 8 hours of wedding day coverage, an online proofing site, a highlight slideshow and a thumb drive with the edited wedding collection. Travel packages are custom quoted to account for travel and accommodations. Albums, products and additional hours may be added a la carte.
15. Charli Photography – London, United Kingdom
Charli has had a creative eye for as long as she can remember and her passion for photography began when she purchased her first camera. She loves the challenge of new locations and implementing natural light to create unique, timeless images that her clients will be proud of and that tell the story of their day. Charli is an award-winning member of the Artistic Guild of the Wedding Photojournalist Association, a member of Fearless Photographers and was shortlisted as the Best Wedding Photographer in Southeast England in The 2013 Wedding Industry Awards. Her destination wedding photography skills have brought her to destinations such as Italy, France and, of course her base, the United Kingdom (shooting all over, including: Oxfordshire, London, Hampshire, Plymouth, Cambridgeshire, Kent and Essex). Charli would love to hear more about your destination wedding!
Charli has 8 years of experience as a professional photographer and her basic package is £1,795, or approximately $3,100. This package includes all day wedding photography, images edited in Charli’s unique artistic style and presented on a disc or USB with personal rights to print and share, a storyboard on her blog and a few extra little surprises.
16. Andrena Photography – Los Angeles, California
Dina Douglass of Andrena Photography is known for her work with all cultures and has shot weddings on five continents, ranging from intimate two person ceremonies to weddings with over a thousand guests. Her focus on color and lighting allows her to combine her artistic and technical skill to create gorgeous images that exceed her clients’ expectations time and time again. Dina was named one of American Photo’s Top 10 Wedding Photographers in the World and her work has been published in international publications like Popular Photography, Rangefinder Magazine,Grace Ormonde Wedding Style, Bazaar and Marie Claire. She has shot weddings in truly exotic locations, including Morocco, Turkey, India, Serbia, Colombia, Ecuador, Ireland and the British Virgin Islands, and has spoken at photography conferences in Moscow and Beijing.
Dina has 11 years of experience as a professional photographer. Her destination wedding packages are custom quoted, with prices varying based on number of days, number of albums desired and guest count. Destination packages start at $4,000 and range up to $20,000. The $4,000 package includes time, post-production and files. A package in the $15,000 range includes an album for the bride and groom, two full-size copies for their parents, and multiple days of photography by two very experienced photographers. Travel is additional, and would include the flight, ground travel and hotel. All destination packages include day-after sessions.
17. Corbin Gurkin – Charleston, South Carolina
Corbin Gurkin combines spontaneity with composition, light and color to create beautiful and compelling photographs for her clients. She takes pride in the fact that her photographs don’t fade but rather they become family heirlooms. Corbin has received Top Knot’s New School of Wedding Photography Award and her work has been published in Brides Magazine, Martha Stewart Weddings and PDN Magazine. Some of the exotic destinations she has traveled to for shoots include Italy, Ukraine, India and Thailand.
Corbin has been a professional photographer for 12 years. Her basic package starts at $14,000 and includes wedding day coverage, a presentation box of printed favorites and digital negatives.
18. Amanda Kopp Images – Denver, Colorado
Amanda Kopp is an award-winning photographer who specializes in creative wedding images for the art and travel loving couple worldwide. She approaches her work as an artist, fearless and full of drive to take every image to the next level. Amanda was awarded the Grand Prize in Photo District News’ Top Knots competition, and her work has been published on Destination I Do as well as magazines in Germany, England, South Africa, Pakistan, and Italy. Her destination wedding assignments have taken her to exotic locales such as South Africa, Sweden, and all over the United States.
Amanda has 6 years of professional photography experience. Her basic package starts at $3,600 and includes unlimited shooting hours on the wedding day, meticulous editing, high resolution images on a flash drive with a print release and 3 months of hosting in an online gallery. Clients can contact Amanda for more information regarding custom packages and specific destinations.
19. Timothy Faust Photography – Breckenridge, Colorado
Timothy Faust loves shooting weddings because he finds them challenging and rewarding. Each wedding is unique and spontaneous, offering a different perspective of photography than his traditional landscape photography. Timothy is an award-winning member of Wedding & Portrait Photographers International and has been recognized by the top online wedding resources for his talent. He has shot weddings in beautiful locations such as Nepal, Puerto Rico and all over the United States.
Timothy began photographing for magazines like National Geographic Adventure and Outside 12 years ago before choosing to focus on weddings in 2005. His basic package costs $3,500 and includes a full day of photography and a custom designed album. Travel charges are additional to the base price.
20. Dreamtime Images – Estes Park, Colorado
Nathan Welton of Dreamtime Images started his career in photography as a newspaper photojournalist. He transitioned into wedding photography, finding himself connecting with clients and their deepest emotions. Nathan is an award-winning member of the Wedding Photojournalist Association, International Society of Professional Wedding Photographers and Fearless Photographers and his images have been published in publications such as Brides Magazine, Destination I Do and Town & Country. Nathan’s destination wedding assignments have brought him all over to world to places throughout Mexico and the Caribbean.
Nathan started shooting professionally in 2002 and has been shooting weddings full time since 2006. His basic destination package starts at $6,000 for 2 unlimited days of coverage, which generally covers a day before activity and rehearsal dinner, the wedding day and a short day after trash the dress session.
