Traveling as a Destination Elopement Photographer

Being a destination elopement photographer is an incredible career filled with adventure, beauty, and heartfelt moments. You’re not just taking photos—you’re helping couples bring their wildest wedding dreams to life in stunning, faraway places. But traveling for elopements isn’t all dreamy sunsets and airplane windows. It takes planning, flexibility, and preparation to ensure everything goes smoothly.

Whether you’re just starting out as a destination elopement photographer or you’re expanding your travel offerings, this guide will walk you through how to prepare, travel smart, and deliver unforgettable experiences for your couples.

1. Pre-Scout Locations Online & Research the Region Thoroughly

If you’re traveling to a location for the first time, detailed research is a must for any destination elopement photographer.

Here’s what to look into before booking your flight:

• Terrain + Lighting: Use Google Earth and Google Maps satellite view to locate possible ceremony spots, trails, and scenic overlooks. Check where the sun rises and sets, so you can recommend ideal timelines for portraits and vows.
• Access Points: Not all “Instagrammable” spots are easily accessible. Check for trail lengths, elevation gains, road conditions, or seasonal closures. AllTrails or local hiking blogs are great for this.
• Permits + Regulations: Many national parks, beaches, and landmarks require special use permits for commercial photography—even if it’s just the couple and you. Look up rules specific to the area and factor in turnaround time for approval.
• Local Conditions: Understand weather patterns for the region during that time of year. Some places have monsoon seasons, wildfire risks, or snow-blocked roads that affect access and lighting.
• Cultural Sensitivities: In international locations, make sure your couple’s plans are respectful to local customs. For example, some temples or sacred lands don’t allow ceremonies or photoshoots!

Pro Tip: Save ALL this info in a Google Doc or Notion page so you can easily share it with your couple and refer back to it! It’ll help you prep couples and show your expertise as a professional destination elopement photographer.

2. Arrive 24–48 Hours Before the Elopement (Minimum)

Your couple is trusting you with one of the most important days of their lives. The BEST way to honor that trust? Arrive early!

Here’s why it matters:

• Location Check: Seeing spots in person is often different than on a map. An early arrival lets you explore, adjust to lighting, and plan backup options if needed.
• Jet Lag + Energy: Give your body time to recover from time zone changes or long travel days so you can show up clear-headed and calm.
• Unpredictability: Luggage delays, canceled flights, rental car issues—travel mishaps happen. Arriving early means you’re not scrambling or adding stress to your couple’s experience.
• Weather Prep: Sometimes conditions change at the last minute. Arriving early lets you assess cloud cover, wind, and trail conditions in real-time.

Pro Tip: Build this arrival buffer into your contract or quote—it’s part of your professional standard.

3. Stay Close to Your Couple

Logistics MATTER. Even if you’re not sharing the same hotel, staying within 15–20 minutes of where your couple is getting ready or starting their elopement day is a game-changer! This sets expectations and covers you as a destination elopement photographer.

Why proximity matters:

• Timeline Flexibility: You can adjust easily for lighting shifts or spontaneous ideas without stressing over a long commute.
• Communication Ease: You can do quick walk-throughs, gear checks, or last-minute coffee chats without back-and-forth travel.
• Emotional Connection: Being nearby helps your couple feel like you’re truly present—not just showing up to do a job. That trust shows in their comfort and chemistry on camera.

Pro Tip: If you’re eloping somewhere remote, ask your couple for recommendations or even stay in the same Airbnb to simplify things for everyone.

4. Keep Your Gear With You on Flights—Always

As a destination elopement photographer, your camera gear is your livelihood. Never check your camera bag when flying—always keep it with you as a carry-on. Losing it = disaster!

Essentials for flying with camera gear:

• Carry-On Only: Use a compact, airline-approved camera backpack. Brands like Nomatic, Shimoda, and WANDRD make excellent travel bags for photographers.
• Under the Seat: Store your gear under the seat if possible (rather than overhead) for maximum control and less risk.
• Backup System: If possible, bring a second (smaller) camera body and extra SD cards in your personal item.
• Checked Bag (Only for Extras): You can check things like light stands, outfit changes, or non-critical gear—but your main camera and lenses? Keep them close.

Pro Tip: Use AirTags or tracking tiles in both your carry-on and checked bags for peace of mind! And invest in travel insurance for photographers. Some policies specifically cover lost or damaged gear for destination elopement photographers!

5. Embrace the Adventure and Enjoy the Journey

What makes being a destination elopement photographer so special is that you get to tell the full story—not just of the couple, but the destination, the journey, the emotion, and the vibe!

Here’s how to elevate your storytelling:

• Photograph the Setting: Wide shots of mountains, oceans, forests, or cityscapes give the gallery context and bring the viewer into the scene.
• Candid Moments: Whether it’s a coffee stop before the ceremony or a teary-eyed vow exchange at golden hour, real moments matter.
• Travel Content: Document your travel, too—share behind-the-scenes snippets on your blog, Pinterest, or Instagram. It builds trust with potential couples and shows your expertise as a destination elopement photographer.
• Celebrate the Culture: Respect local traditions and capture the flavor of the place—food, people, textures, colors—these add richness to your storytelling.

Creative Tip: Offer a “day-after adventure session” to your packages—it gives couples another chance to explore the destination and gives you more creative freedom!

Final Thoughts

Being a destination elopement photographer is MORE than just traveling to pretty places—it’s about helping couples feel seen, understood, and completely at ease as they celebrate their love in a way that’s true to them. With the right preparation, mindset, and heart, photographing elopements around the world becomes one of the most rewarding journeys you can take—not just for your couples, but for yourself.

If you’re a couple dreaming of saying your vows somewhere wild, romantic, or completely unexpected, I’d love to help you bring that vision to life!

I’m Chantel, the heart behind Zettel Photo, and capturing love stories in breathtaking places is what I do best. Let’s make your dream day an unforgettable adventure.

Whether you’re headed to the cliffs of Thailand or the forests of the Pacific Northwest—I’m just a flight (and a camera) away! Reach out here.