nylaphoto

Glad everyone was alright. I was on a different flight for the wedding I shot last week on the same day and now I know what the delay was all about...

My flight last week for the wedding I shot was changed to 12:45 without notice and then delayed. Make sure you arrive at least 2 days early in case of delays. That's why I always arrive 2 days before my weddings.

I have received a few emails about Moon Dance Cliffs, as I shot there just last week. I have added a few photos to my blog and I will let the Groom who is on the boards post his reviews of the resort. As far as photography, light is key as the sun sets very quickly in Jamaica. It goes from harsh light all day to sunset very quick, so allow your photographer the time for formals. I shot a day after shoot for a few hours as we ran out of light after finishing group formals. If you are having an afternoon wedding, be aware the sun sets directly behind the gazebo which is covered in shade. The resort is not lush, as it is new, so open shade is very limited for formals. I always recommend having a day after shoot on all destination weddings at different locations. Also make sure your photographer if not local arrives at least a full day prior to the event. Our flights were delayed leaving and arriving so plan accordingly with your vendors. Overall a great trip, heading back to Negril in just a few weeks for another shoot.

Not sure of the resorts that allow children. I am shooting there this month, I think it said for children on the wedding day, the parents have to sign a release form, because of the cliffs. Email Moondance, they have been great with answering all my questions and I am sure they can let you know of what to expect or places to stay for guests with children.

Thanks Claudette, I just found out my groom is on the boards so he will have photos up after the wedding and I will be sure to blog as well in detail. Congrats on the upcoming wedding and have fun.

actually it's Dillon hence the username:) Glad to see you on here, can't wait for the wedding. See you both in just a few more weeks......

Quote: Originally Posted by dillonc Hey All - Sorry I haven't posted in a while as I have been traveling. We are the lucky couple getting married at the Moon Dance Cliffs in April 09 and lucky to have Scott from Nyla Photography as our photographer. The resort is definitely complete from our last visit there in February. Nyla Photography has got a great portfolio - after our wedding we will be posting images on our website www.izlauanddillon.com. In regards to florist we have selected Tai Flora Services Ltd. - Jamaica's Full Service Florists who will be providing all our floral needs in addition to all decor for the wedding. We have compared several florist prices and also been working out all the details and the best selection we found in Jamaica was Tai Flora. Again, after the wedding we will post photos on our website and provide you an overview on what the service was like... Ciao for now... Hi Izlau, glad you are on here, I searched for your name but I couldn't find you, but I am new here as well as I belong to too many forums between my photography forums and blog, facebook, twitter, it seems never ending at times with the forums. I am glad you are on here so you can post your reviews and photos. I will give you a call this week to finalize all the details. I just changed my flight today because Jamaica Air changed there flight schedule which would have gotten me there too late on Friday, so I will be arriving Thursday night as well a day earlier then expected. It will give me a chance to look around and get some great shots of the resort during the day and night. Your day will be here before you know it, time is flying by. Can't wait to work with you guys and looking forward to the big weekend. I'll talk to you later this week and also send you an email. Scott

Welcome to the forums. Also a New Yorker....

Although I am new here, I will reply. I don't think anyone was saying your photographer can't have a good time, just that it is work. You said photography is the important thing to you, and you don't need them photographing everything. If photography was the most important thing I would want everything shot, all the details and amazing portraits. Even shooting details is an art, factors include, what lens you are using, camera settings, light source etc. You also said you have your own slr, I think there is a big misconception that any slr will take great photos. The camera is about 5% of the equation, lenses are a big factor, knowing light, skill, I could go on and on, and I am not sure you want to have to shoot your own wedding? Again these are just my thoughts, I am sure you may have found someone who is giving you a great deal. But photography is a profession and most photographers expenses require them to charge a decent fee to shoot overseas. Shooting beach weddings is much different than a church wedding, as every situation requires the knowledge to deal with what is thrown at you. I have only been here a few days but from what I have seen, there are indeed some great photographers on the boards.

I posted on the other moondance thread as well, I am shooting a wedding in April at Moondance cliffs and I will post some info for everyone planning when I return. The wedding is in just a few weeks so I should have lots of info to post towards the end of April. So far they have been great with there contact with me and I am excited to shoot at this resort. After talking with my bride it looks like most of the construction is complete and the resort looks amazing. I'll post more later and also some photos on my blog after the wedding. I have to add links to here on my blog before I can post any links though as I am a newbie here.. Scott

I have to agree with some of the posts above. Shooting a destination wedding is work, and much more stressful then a local wedding. I arrive at least one day early, actually just had to change my flight for 2 days early for my Jamaica wedding next month as Jamaica airlines changed there flight schedule. Most photographers are giving up the potential to shoot multiple weddings at home in exchange for 1 wedding away which can be up to 5 days of travel. Another concern is equipment, since theft is a big problem we must have our bags with us pretty much the entire time as I can't imagine losing a clients images, equipment can be replaced, images cannot. Also we must obtain the proper customs and work permits, which can be very tough in some areas, although I i know a lot of photographers do not and just take the chance, although not the best idea as it is illegal to work in a foreign country without permits, imagine your photographer being turned away and not allowed to shoot your wedding just a day prior. Destination weddings are work, although I love doing them, they are and can be stressful. Being in a foreign country is not like shooting in your back yard where you know where to go and if you need something it is there. Also a lot of clients cannot afford to have the photographer bring an assistant which makes for even more work and stress as destination weddings, especially beach weddings are tough to shoot with the harsh sun. Shooting weddings is the most amazing thing I could imagine ever doing, but it requires patience, skill and knowing how to handle all situations. I don't think any photographer should kid themselves into thinking Dw are a vacation they are not. You are being paid to capture the most important day in your clients lives and doing so in a foreign place. I like to also stay an extra day to have a day after shoot as it makes for amazing pictures that sometimes I am not given time or the best time of day to create. Now back to the question which was pricing. Pricing will vary and range anywhere from $2500-$10,000 or more, and you usually get way you pay for especially with photography. I am not sure how photographers make any money shooting wedding for less than $4000.00 with all the travel and associated costs that are involved. My travel fees alone for my next wedding are over $1500. I also recommend trying to have your photographer stay on the same resort you are staying at, so he is around and can get a feel for the resort early. I require staying where my clients are at as I shoo the rehearsal dinners and also day after shoots for my clients. Too much traveling to be off the resort. Don't let price be the deciding factor and also know what you are getting, are you getting high resolution files, are they color corrected and edited, and most importantly do you like there work. I know is sounds like a sales line, but really other than memories, the only thing you will have after your wedding is the photos or video if you go that route. There are tons of amazing photographers all with different styles and pricing, look around and ask questions. Scott

I sure will, the wedding should be amazing as I am doing a day after shoot as well and the rehearsal dinner the night before. Not so much a day after TTD as I don't really think the intent should be to trash the dress, but get some cool shots in different areas that aren't possible on the wedding day. After speaking with my bride it seems all the construction is completed and Kim and Miriam have been great with there communication with me. Being as I am new here I will have to check the rules before I post any photos, I will add a DWF link to my blog so I can post my blog site in my siggy, not sure what the rules are on the boards here with posting photos. My bride is not on here so hopefully I will be able to share all the photos and details for all the moondance brides to help with there planning. The wedding is the weekend of April 17th, so I will have photos up on my blog hopefully just a few weeks after that. Thanks so much for the welcome. Scott

I photographed 2 weddings at Congress Hall last year, Cape May is a great town.

Hi everyone just joined the boards today as so many of my brides told me how great these boards are. I am shooting a wedding in April at Moondance cliffs so I am very excited, looks like an amazing place and I always love Jamaica. I'll post some info after the wedding.