Thinking Beyond Local
When planning a wedding, most couples assume they need to hire a photographer from their venue’s location. But limiting your search to local options could mean missing out on the perfect photographer for your vision. Expanding your search to out-of-state photographers opens up more possibilities—and might even come with unexpected benefits.
Here’s why hiring a wedding photographer from another state could be the best decision for your big day:
1. You Get the Best Photographer for Your Style
Your wedding photos will last a lifetime, so choosing a photographer whose style matches your vision is more important than choosing someone simply because they’re local. Whether you love a documentary approach, editorial elegance, or cinematic storytelling, the right photographer may not always be in your backyard.
By looking beyond your immediate area, you’re more likely to find someone whose portfolio truly resonates with you—rather than settling for whoever is available nearby.
2. Fresh Eyes for a Unique Perspective
A local photographer might shoot at your venue every weekend, following the same go-to spots and angles. While familiarity has its perks, a traveling photographer brings a fresh perspective, looking at the space creatively instead of relying on routine.
They’ll scout locations with curiosity, experiment with light in new ways, and capture your wedding with a sense of excitement and originality. If you want wedding photos that stand out, a new set of eyes can make all the difference.
3. Better Availability in High-Demand Markets
Popular wedding destinations book up fast—venues, planners, florists, and especially photographers. If you’re getting married in a high-demand area, many local photographers might already be booked a year (or more) in advance.
Out-of-state photographers, on the other hand, might still have availability for your date. Since they aren’t tied to one specific market, they’re often more flexible, especially for weekday weddings or off-season dates.
4. You Might Be Saving Money
It sounds counterintuitive, but hiring a traveling photographer could actually be more cost-effective. Some high-demand areas have premium-priced vendors, and bringing in someone from another location might offer better value.
For example, because we’re based in North Carolina—a state with a lower cost of living—our rates for weddings in cities like New York and other high-cost areas are often more affordable than local photographers in those markets. Many traveling photographers build travel costs into their pricing, making it easier to budget upfront. And if your wedding is in a beautiful or unique location, some photographers may even offer special rates for the chance to add it to their portfolio.
Bonus: How to Not Get Scammed
Recently, a story has been circulating about a wedding photographer scamming couples. A photographer based in the Southeast agreed to photograph a wedding in New England, accepted the couple’s deposit, and then never showed up. Instead, she (the initial photographer) sent another photographer in her place who the couple had never met and who after the wedding never received payment from the scammer photographer. A local Boston news report covered the incident, with the bride explaining how she had booked the photographer for just $1,200—while every other quote she received was over $5,000.
Let’s be clear: what this scammer did was completely wrong. But there’s an important takeaway here—if an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
While hiring an out-of-state photographer can sometimes save you money, $1,200 for full wedding coverage, including travel, is a red flag—especially in a market where professionals typically charge four to five times that amount. To protect yourself, always:
- Schedule a consultation with your prospective photographer
- Ask questions about their experience and process
- Review full wedding galleries, not just Instagram highlights
- Read online reviews from past couples
- Be realistic about pricing—quality wedding photography is an investment
How We Approach Travel Pricing
On average, couples who work with us spend $5,000 to $6,000 on their wedding photography. We’ve carefully analyzed market value and factored in our cost of living to create fair pricing.
When we travel for weddings, we charge our standard rate, plus a small additional fee to cover travel expenses—usually just one or two nights in a hotel. We never inflate travel fees, and in many cases, even with travel included, our pricing is still more competitive than photographers in high-cost urban markets simply because we’re based in a lower cost-of-living area.
The Bottom Line
Expanding your search radius when choosing a wedding photographer is a great way to find the perfect match. But if someone is offering rates far below market average, especially within their own region, it’s a red flag.
Do your research, ask the right questions, and invest in a photographer you trust—because your wedding photos are too important to risk on a deal that seems too good to be true.
Final Thoughts
Your wedding photographer should be someone whose work you absolutely love—not just the most convenient option. Expanding your search beyond local vendors gives you more opportunities to find the right fit, ensures availability in competitive markets, and might even save you money in the process.
At the end of the day, it’s all about finding the best storyteller for your love story, no matter where they’re based.