Mark Romine

Quote: Originally Posted by O'Driscoll Photography Welcome, Mark! Best wishes, Tod Thanks! Looks like lots to learn and share here.

Quote: Originally Posted by Kristy! Wow Mark, that was a lot of information. Thank you for sharing your thoughts/experiences. Thanks, I hope it helps someone as they make their plans. mark

Hi Marie: Quote: Originally Posted by MarieSam I wanted to know maybe from some brides who have done this or photographers who have offered this deal ~ What are the advantages and disadvantages of hiring a photographer for costs only (i.e. travel fees, accommodations, etc.)? For instance, because you are getting such a great deal, do you feel....hmmm...bad or hindered from asking for certain shots, or requesting certain things? This is coming from a photographer's point of view. There is certainly nothing wrong with asking to do such a trade with a wedding photographer and many would love the opportunity to do so and to have the opportunity to go somewhere different. There is much more to it than simply finding a photographer whose work you like and asking them to do a trade. Here are some things to think about. As others have suggested be sure that you talk with your photographer about what you want, the time and coverage that you need/want, will it include an engagement session and/or a TTD session and get this in a contract. Keep in mind that since you are asking for a trade most photographers will need to write up a custom contract to cover the details. I would not expect to get any products with a trade, you can try by asking but again, get it in the contract. Although you may feel that since you are paying to fly the photographer and possibly an assistant to your destination location and providing meals and lodging that you should be entitled to something in the way of product and like I said before you can ask but most experienced wedding photographers will find that you are asking for too much in such a trade deal. It will all depend upon how badly they want the experience and to add it to their portfolio. Here is one of the main reasons why most photographers will not include product with such a deal, most non-photographers or clients don't think of this aspect. To travel to a destination outside the US it is a minimum of three days of travel time. You fly the day before, shooting on the day of the wedding and return the day after. That is three days away from the studio, days that we could be booking either other weddings or at the very least other portrait sessions. That can easily total several thousands of dollars being left on the table, so to speak, just to build a portfolio. So much will depend on how badly the photographer wants to do this. Your chances of succeeding at this kind of a trade are much greater if your wedding date is in the off season of the photographer you are trying to book, like the months of Jan-Mar and for those who are really far North in the states this can include Nov and Dec too. Your chances of getting an experienced destination wedding photographer to make a trade is not very likely, for two reason, Mexico and the Caribbean are not very exotic and secondly they already have lots of destination photos in their portfolio. Now if you are going to Europe or the Pacific rim you could probably find more takers. LOL So look carefully at the web site of your prospective photographer, if they have lots of travel photography on their site they will probably not be interested in the trade. If they have little to none they might be more interested. In your best interests though it might not be the best choice to select a photographer's whose web site does not display any travel wedding photos, why? Although they might be eager to take you up on the offer, they may know little about all the associated necessary things regarding traveling with gear, work permits, insurance, passports etc and if these things are not handled properly it can be a disaster for you and the photographer. There is far more involved than just hopping on a plane with your camera in hand, destination wedding photography requires some experience to avoid the pitfalls of traveling outside the country. One nice advantage of taking your photographer with you, especially if they are from your home location, is that they can provide you with an engagement session, coverage of any hometown reception that you may be planning when you return and if you are going to be doing a wedding album, there is a huge advantage in having had one photographer or studio shoot all of these things for you. The photos will have a harmonious look or style to them as opposed to having a local photographer shoot your engagement session and then the resort photographer covering the wedding and then the home photographer photographing the reception. The styles can be completely different and not look or flow well in one wedding album. There is also the copyright issue of creating a wedding album where more than one photographer or studio is involved. Who will create that album for you and which photographer will release his or her photos to someone else to design and produce the wedding album? Therefore, there are huge benefits to having one photographer do all this for you. Just some rambling thoughts. mark

Nicely done! Although I am not a big fan of Vista Print but hopefully you didn't have any problems with them. mark

I know this is a little late to the show but private villas also often make for some great photos! Thumbs up on the private villas. This one is not cheap but very sweet: http://www.oneandonlyresorts.com/flash.html

Jamaica mon, what a great place for a wedding have fun planning and mark

from another Illinoisan. Great place to get ideas for beach weddings. Ask lots of questions. mark

Quote: Originally Posted by cayoung22 My name is Annie and we are getting married sometime in October. We aren't sure where yet but are open to anything with a beach! well if you are looking fro a beach location this is the place to start. Lots of beach stuff from Mexico, the Caribean, Florida, SC, GA, TX and SoCal too. mark

Quote: Originally Posted by bumblebee_287 I don't want outside vendors, I want to keep it simple, ... Hi Lori and Do you feel that by having outside vendors that the will make more complicated with planning? By just using the resort list you maybe cutting yourself a little short, especially when it comes to photography. there are lots of great local photographers that are listed here on the board as well as many state side that are willing to travel. It would be a shame to go all that way and not have fantastic photos of your wedding. mark

Hola Ivan! We need to get this place rockin! mark

Quote: Originally Posted by AnnR Maybe I should tell him I want to move to Normal! lol Yeah, just tell him you want to be closer to NORMAL mark

Quote: Originally Posted by AnnR Welcome! Be sure to check out the vendor rules, if you haven't already. I have and I send a couple questions to Tammy. I am just waiting for a reply. Quote: Originally Posted by AnnR And is there really a place called "Normal" Illinois? I had no idea! Where is it? It is in the middle of the sate. I am half way between Chicago and St Louis and the same distance from Indy. Normal is the other half of the twin cities, the other half being Bloomington. Lots of people know of Bloomington, IL because it is the cooperate headquarters for State Farm insurance and BeerNuts. But Normal is a real place. It is as close to normal as I will ever get. Thanks, mark

Interesting, I wonder who was behind this? mark

Quote: Originally Posted by dinogomez.com Welcome to the forum!! Thanks man! mark

Quote: Originally Posted by jamk32179 From what I understand Riu does not allow outside photographers. Maybe that has changed in the last couple years but I didn't have any problems a couple years ago as an outside photographer. mark

A little tip on finding the exact time of sunset anywhere in the world. If you are an iPhone user. There is a free app that you can download and install on your iPhone called Sunrise, it can be found here: Sunrise — Sunrise and Sunset Calculator Application for iPhone and iPod touch

Quote: Originally Posted by blushingbride Welcome to the forum! Quote: Originally Posted by tdmitchell Hey Mark, Welcome! Your work is beautiful! Thanks guys! mark

Wow! Thanks everyone for the very warm welcome! mark

Here's some people that I know and would recommend: altf.com the photography of john michael cooper Studio ATG Las Vegas Wedding Photography, Jared & Trish, Jaw Dropping Wedding Photography, Wedding, Portrait and Event Photographers Las Vegas mark

Thanks Renee!

Welcome! One of my clients from last month just went down there and they raved about everything, they had the best time and would go back again. mark

Hi everyone! Just wanted to introduce myself. I am a wedding photographer located in Normal, IL. Yes, that really is the name of the town that I live in, it is the brunt of many corny jokes. Feel free to come up with an original. LOL Anyway, I feature or specialize in relaxed, candid, real life photography and i am will to travel where ever you maybe having your wedding. What to know more: Mark Romine Photography - Documentary Wedding Photography or: Mark Romine Wedding Photography Blog Drop me a note if you have questions. Looking forward to getting to know many of you. This looks like a fun place to hang out. mark

Just wanted to say hello and introduce myself. I am a wedding photographer from Normal, IL. Yeah, there really is a real place with that name. It makes for great jokes. Anyway, I do travel if clients are looking to to take a photographer with them to them DW. My website: Mark Romine Photography - Documentary Wedding Photography My blog: Mark Romine Wedding Photography Blog Let me know if you want to anything further about me or my business. mark