Has anyone had any experience with hiring a photographer in Tuscany? We are getting married this summer and are looking for a photographer. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
As a professional photographer myself I can tell you that things can vary a great deal from the US to Italy. Besides the differences in customs, etc. there might be a language barrier. You might consider putting an ad on your local Craigs List to see if there are any photographers from your area who might be traveling to Italy at the same time as your wedding and would love to have the experience of a wedding in Italy as well as make some extra money. You would then have someone in the US to deal with. You could also contact the PPofA to see if they have any suggestions. If you bring a photographer yourself from the US the cost would probably be too much, but if you found someone who was already traveling there it might be feasible. I photographed a wedding in Tuscany a few years ago and I know the reason they had it there was for the ambience and the scenery, so the photographs can be extremely important. Good luck and if I can be of any help please let me know. If you give me the date I can put it out there with a lot of my photographer friends who travel Europe frequently. I will be in Turkey this summer or would love to help you out myself!
Tony, I'm assuming that "budget" will be one of the considerations in hiring a wedding Photographer? I know wedding Photographers in this area, at least one of which does "destination weddings" but I'm not sure how they establish their prices. I'm also a Photographer and can make a few inquiries (I know a professional Photographer living in Italy but not sure if he does weddings?). I'll send you a PM with another possibility you might try. Congratulations and happy travels!
I don't know any photographers myself, but two suggestions come to mind: 1. Talk to the hotel your staying with to see if they have any contacts to help you with this process 2. Let your guests be your photographers. Both myself & one family member asked guest to bring cameras, and provided some for people to use. They weren't "professional" but they were genuine. Another family member that hired a professional was never as happy with her pictures as we were. The professional ones were nice, but somehow didn't really relay the feelings properly. Because the guests were close friends & family the pictures portrayed the joy and love felt by everyone more completely. Remember, people are more relaxed when they know the person taking the pictures than when it's a stranger.