Destination wedding questions

Hi,

I got a contract to shoot a wedding in the Mayan riviera in may.

I would like to know if any of you did this once. If so is there any important things to know?

Anything i should or should not do?


thanks, I'm really stoked about this and I want to be sure everything is set to not spoil it.

I arrived Honolulu last night for a wedding that I am doing in a few days. This is not my first destination wedding but you learn something from each one and what should be in the contract. Once you at the destination it is harder to start and include items in the contract, imo.

Are they using a wedding planner for the other parts of the day. If they are you should really speak with them. They are normally locals and can give you a heads up on the local do's and don'ts, good locations, etc. I normally place an ad weeks in advance to find a local that would like some experience in assisting. I have found many good photographers that are willing to do this for the experience but I still like to give them something for their time. I do give them time to shoot as long as the day is progressing on schedule so that they have something for their portfolio but this also requires another contract to me executed. If I have them do any shooting for me, they use my gear. They are a valuable asset as far as knowing local customs and may be able to point you to good locations.

Have a full list from your bride and groom on exactly what they want. This should be the kind of shots and if they have locations in mind then you might need to check on the viability of using these places. Have you checked to see if there is booking requirements for locales or is there a charge. Make sure that you have an indoor venue as a backup in case the weather doesn't allow you to do outdoor shots.

I have three bodies with me and when it comes time to doing beach shots I have a different lens on each body. I refuse to change lenses on a beach. I highly suggest that you have at least two bodies with you so that you have a backup in the event of a failure.

Shooting in tropical locations can sometimes be tricking with the amount of reflections that you get from sand, water and the surrounding buildings at times. I have found that fill flash is a great tool if one knows how to use it so that it does just that, fill the shadows and not blow out your shots. I use Quantum flashes that are very good on this issue.

There have been some previous threads on this subject that you might find useful.

HELP!! FIRST DESTINATION WEDDING

Destination Weddings

Destination wedding in Mexico - Is it safe?

There are plenty of other threads that came up. I used the word destination as my search criteria.

FYI- When traveling to Mexico you are NOT allowed (by customs) to bring three camera bodies unless you are traveling with another person. Even then I only bring two since that's all will fit in most hotel safes. Also limit the gear you bring in to less than $10,000 total (this includes bodies, lenses, flash, batteries, CF cards, your laptop, etc.). This isn't exactly a rule but if you get pulled aside by customs it makes it less questionable. I always bring my back-up gear with me to Mexico- my 5Dc and my 7D (used to be my 40D but I sold that). Never the 5DII. And never a 70-200mm. Nothing says "I'm a pro! Rob me or arrest me!" like a giant white lens. Also don't forget your receipts or proof of ownership of these items in case you're given issues coming back. This has never happened to me, but I've heard it happen to others so I always like to be safe and bring it.

When going to Mexico you need to find out a few things before going down:

1) Does the resort allow outside vendors? If they do, how much do they charge? Technically the bride and groom should find this out first, but I recommend taking a look yourself to see what the rules are. You can still shoot somewhere that doesn't allow outside vendors. Just make sure you get introduced as a friend, not a photographer! If the wedding is outside of a resort you have less to worry about. But resort contracted photographers usually aren't too happy when a non-Mexican flies in for a day and steals their work. And you can be arrested for it.

2) I'm not sure what the Canadian rules are for working in Mexico, but I recommend finding that out. You may need to get a temporary working Visa (which you can usually get at the airport and isn't too expensive) which allows you to safely work in the country without getting arrested.

I've shot 4 weddings in Mexico in 2010 alone and never had any problems. But I always advised the bride and groom to introduce me as a friend when resort employees may be able to overhear. Even if I'm there legally I don't want to step on anyone's toes and I found when I was introduced as a college friend of the bride who also likes photography, and not as a pro photographer, people cared about me less.

Oh, and get them to do a TTD! Mexico has some great beaches, it be a shame to waste them by not getting in the water in the dress! If the bride doesn't want to ruin her dress see if there's any way she can get another one to trash on the beach and show her some pictures to get her excited for it. I LOVE TTD in Mexico.

PeaceFire wrote in post #12091512
FYI- When traveling to Mexico you are NOT allowed (by customs) to bring three camera bodies ...............

I rest my case on not wanting to go to Mexico, even on vacation. However, the last time I did go there, about 3 years ago, I had three bodies and lots of gear that would have easily been over 10K and customs had a good look and never said a word. I suppose like any country it depends on the customs agent and how his/her night before was

This looks like good advice and there are some things in there that the OP should look in to. There could very well be different regulations for Canadians, though I doubt it.

PeaceFire wrote in post #12091512
FYI- When traveling to Mexico you are NOT allowed (by customs) to bring three camera bodies unless you are traveling with another person. Even then I only bring two since that's all will fit in most hotel safes. Also limit the gear you bring in to less than $10,000 total (this includes bodies, lenses, flash, batteries, CF cards, your laptop, etc.). This isn't exactly a rule but if you get pulled aside by customs it makes it less questionable. I always bring my back-up gear with me to Mexico- my 5Dc and my 7D (used to be my 40D but I sold that). Never the 5DII. And never a 70-200mm. Nothing says "I'm a pro! Rob me or arrest me!" like a giant white lens. Also don't forget your receipts or proof of ownership of these items in case you're given issues coming back. This has never happened to me, but I've heard it happen to others so I always like to be safe and bring it.

When going to Mexico you need to find out a few things before going down:

1) Does the resort allow outside vendors? If they do, how much do they charge? Technically the bride and groom should find this out first, but I recommend taking a look yourself to see what the rules are. You can still shoot somewhere that doesn't allow outside vendors. Just make sure you get introduced as a friend, not a photographer! If the wedding is outside of a resort you have less to worry about. But resort contracted photographers usually aren't too happy when a non-Mexican flies in for a day and steals their work. And you can be arrested for it.

2) I'm not sure what the Canadian rules are for working in Mexico, but I recommend finding that out. You may need to get a temporary working Visa (which you can usually get at the airport and isn't too expensive) which allows you to safely work in the country without getting arrested.

I've shot 4 weddings in Mexico in 2010 alone and never had any problems. But I always advised the bride and groom to introduce me as a friend when resort employees may be able to overhear. Even if I'm there legally I don't want to step on anyone's toes and I found when I was introduced as a college friend of the bride who also likes photography, and not as a pro photographer, people cared about me less.

I was talking to you on here a week ago about a destination wedding I booked for Mexico.

Just FYI for the OP, I contacted the Mexican Consulate in my area and she told me I didn't need a work visa since I was only going to be there a couple of days and said I wouldn't even need a work permit.

What I understand about the "work permit", (if it really is needed) is that you apply for this in customs after deboarding the plane. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I'm not sure about the in the OP's case but the couple had to pay $500 to bring me in so I'm not sure how much of a "secret" they can keep me. I would love it if they could but not sure if that will happen. Great idea though!

My wife is my second shooter and will be going with so we'll have our equipment split up. But I'm with you Peacefire, I'm taking my "older" bodies and keeping things to a minimum.

ssim wrote in post #12091633
I rest my case on not wanting to go to Mexico, even on vacation. However, the last time I did go there, about 3 years ago, I had three bodies and lots of gear that would have easily been over 10K and customs had a good look and never said a word. I suppose like any country it depends on the customs agent and how his/her night before was

This looks like good advice and there are some things in there that the OP should look in to. There could very well be different regulations for Canadians, though I doubt it.

You also have to remember that Mexico 3 years ago and Mexico today are very different Mexicos. I can't find it right now, but a few months back I read about a woman who went to Cabo (a RIU resort) with a friend who was hired as the photographer for a wedding. She was just a guest but brought her camera, too, for fun. When the wedding was started she got a tap on her shoulder by an employee of the resort and a man dressed in black and she was asked to come with them. What followed was hour of interrogation in a Mexican police station where they wouldn't even let her make a phone call. She ended up paying a $1,000 to be released and they brought her back to the resort. She now knows that it was all a scam- they had nothing on her and she was not doing anything illegal. But the threat of being cut off of communication and being thrown in jail obviously scared her and she paid.

So I recommend just being careful and covering all of your bases! Don't mention you are getting paid, just keep up the story that you're friends and you're doing this as a favor.

Like I said- I shot four weddings in Mexico last year and will be there for another one next week. I am not trying to discourage you or tell you not go. They are a TON of fun- so go! Just use caution and keep your guard up.

Your Story Photoart wrote in post #12092010
I was talking to you on here a week ago about a destination wedding I booked for Mexico.

Just FYI for the OP, I contacted the Mexican Consulate in my area and she told me I didn't need a work visa since I was only going to be there a couple of days and said I wouldn't even need a work permit.

What I understand about the "work permit", (if it really is needed) is that you apply for this in customs after deboarding the plane. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I'm not sure about the in the OP's case but the couple had to pay $500 to bring me in so I'm not sure how much of a "secret" they can keep me. I would love it if they could but not sure if that will happen. Great idea though!

My wife is my second shooter and will be going with so we'll have our equipment split up. But I'm with you Peacefire, I'm taking my "older" bodies and keeping things to a minimum.

Actually, I think as long as they are paying the resort to bring you on you *should* be fine! The resort only really cares if you are stealing work from their contracted photographers and losing them money. You won't be losing them money so they could care less. I hope anyway.

PeaceFire wrote in post #12092212
Actually, I think as long as they are paying the resort to bring you on you *should* be fine! The resort only really cares if you are stealing work from their contracted photographers and losing them money. You won't be losing them money so they could care less. I hope anyway.

very good point. in living in central america for 4 yrs, that was one of the hardest things to deal with. Inconsistency in how the rules are enforced. In all sorts of situations it seems even when I had everything I was supposed to have that they found something to gripe about.

wow thank all good things to consider. I called him yesterday to see if he could call the wedding planner there for any photographer fees. But, he his actually a friend so for that story it should be a problem.

but for equipment ill have to bring the whole kit 7d ill have a 5dII 16-35, 70-200, and 85 f1.2...

might be a problem there...

The Bahamas are so much simpler, Eleuthera < the name translated to Freedom