Real Advice from Mandie Roberts of Thistle and Pine Photography
Dreaming of capturing weddings across the globe? In this episode of The Sundae Best, I’m chatting with Mandie from Thistle and Pine Photography about the reality of how to become an international wedding photographer – from logistics and cultural considerations to pricing and gear. If you’ve been dreaming of photographing weddings in dreamy European castles or exotic locations, this episode reveals what it really takes to succeed in international wedding photography.
How Do I Start My Journey as an International Wedding Photographer?
The journey to becoming an international wedding photographer often begins with inspiration and a willingness to step outside your comfort zone. For Mandie, it all started with watching “Pride and Prejudice” in 2015 while living in Florida as a military wife.
“I had never left the country. I did not have a passport, nothing,” Mandie explains. “I was starting photography. I wasn’t very good at it, but I was starting it.”
That initial spark of inspiration led her to make a bold decision – to travel to the UK with a friend, living out of backpacks and exploring the landscape that had captivated her imagination. This first-hand experience proved invaluable. Rather than studying Pinterest boards or mimicking other photographers’ work, Mandie immersed herself in the culture and landscape, developing her own unique perspective.
Her first international wedding came when a friend paid for her plane ticket to shoot their wedding for free. This single opportunity provided the portfolio content she needed to attract more international clients and start building her reputation.
“It literally started with inspiration from Pride and Prejudice to never stopping the travel back and forth.”
If you’re looking to begin your international wedding photography journey, Mandie recommends:
- Find your inspiration: What countries or regions truly speak to your artistic vision?
- Start saving: Set aside money specifically for an exploratory trip
- Go experience it first-hand: Don’t rely on others’ images to form your vision
- Build initial content: Consider offering heavily discounted or free sessions during your first trip to build your portfolio
- Specialize in specific regions: Rather than trying to be a global photographer, consider becoming an expert in one or two regions
This approach allows you to develop genuine expertise and authentic connections in your chosen locations – something clients will recognize and value.
What’s the Reality of Working as an International Wedding Photographer?
While Instagram might showcase glamorous photos of photographers in dreamy locations, the reality involves much more grit and problem-solving than the curated images suggest.
“It is not always like rainbows and butterflies,” Mandie emphasizes. “… like, I smell sometimes. I actually smell. It is not this beautiful, glamorous thing all the time. You have to deal with weather. You have to deal with travel and trains not being there on time. You have to have backup plans.”
International wedding photography often involves:
- Long travel days and jet lag
- Navigating unfamiliar transportation systems
- Dealing with unexpected weather conditions
- Language barriers when things go wrong
- Living out of a small suitcase for extended periods
- Managing equipment in various environments (and a lack of places to buy more memory cards in an emergency)
- Problem-solving on the fly when plans change
One of Mandie’s most important pieces of advice is to avoid the Pinterest trap. “… Pinterest can be really great, and Pinterest is also ruining a lot of things… Everyone is taking their clients to the same places they’re seeing on Pinterest.”
Instead, she encourages photographers to do the hard work of finding unique locations. “I sold out an entire Ireland retreat with just landscape photos. I had not shot there. I’d been there on vacation.” This approach allows you to offer something truly unique to clients who are looking for an authentic experience rather than a recreation of someone else’s photos.
The reality is that international wedding photography requires resilience, flexibility, and a genuine love for both photography and travel. The challenges are real, but as Mandie points out, “Those experiences make it worth it because then you have the stories.”
What Are the Practical Logistics of International Wedding Photography?
How Should I Plan Travel for International Wedding Photography?
Being a successful international wedding photographer requires meticulous planning. Mandie recommends starting the planning process approximately one year in advance of the wedding date. Here’s her typical timeline:
12 months before:
- Begin planning with clients
- Create custom location brochures with photos and information
- Discuss vision and expectations
6 months before:
- Book flights (4-6 months out tends to offer better pricing)
- Finalize locations (preferably places you’ve personally scouted)
3-4 months before:
- Secure permits if needed
- Pay deposits to local vendors
- Arrange accommodations
1-2 months before:
- Confirm all details with clients and vendors
- Ensure all visas and travel documents are in order
- Create detailed timelines accounting for travel between locations
When it comes to packing, Mandie has one non-negotiable rule: “Never ever check your camera bag. Keep that bag on you. I do not care if it’s Ryanair and they’re going to charge you 60 euro for it. You keep that bag on you.”
For her gear, Mandie travels with a Wandrd bag containing:
- One film camera
- One digital camera
- Extra lenses
- Film
- Sometimes a flash (depending on the location)
Mandie has developed a streamlined approach based on years of international experience and shares her biggest tips for traveling internationally to work:
- Pack light and versatile: Learn to live efficiently out of a small carry-on for extended trips by creating a capsule wardrobe with pieces that can be mixed and matched.
- Choose accommodations with laundry facilities: Being able to wash clothes during your trip allows you to pack significantly less.
- Consider rental car sizes: In many countries, rental cars are much smaller than in North America, so excess luggage can become problematic.
- Digital backups are essential: Keep digital copies of your passport, travel documents, shot lists, and important contacts both on your phone and in cloud storage.
Additional travel tips:
- Purchase travel insurance that covers your equipment
- Keep a digital copy of your passport on your phone
- Research local transportation options thoroughly
- Bring universal power adapters
- Have local currency on hand for emergencies
How Do I Handle Jet Lag for International Wedding Shoots?
Jet lag can significantly impact your performance as a photographer, especially when traveling across multiple time zones. Mandie has learned this lesson through experience and encourages photographers that it gets easier the more you travel!
Her top piece of advice to combat jet lag: “Try to sleep on the plane. Do not go to bed when you land. That is the biggest mistake that you can make because you will be on that schedule for the rest of the trip and no use to your clients.”
Additionally, she shares that building buffer days into your travel schedule is essential. Mandie recommends arriving no less than three days before the wedding date: “I will not get there any later than three days before the wedding because I need a buffer day at least.”
These buffer days serve multiple purposes:
- Recovery from jet lag
- Time to scout locations and check for any changes
- Contingency for flight delays or cancellations
- Opportunity to meet with local vendors in person
“The last thing you want is to be scrambling to find a camera rental in a foreign country or an associate photographer because you didn’t build in buffer time,” Mandie explains.
How Can I Build Local Connections as an International Wedding Photographer?
One of the most valuable assets you can develop as an international wedding photographer is a network of local connections in your destination countries. These relationships can save you when unexpected challenges arise.
Mandie recommends several approaches:
- Join local Facebook groups: Look for photography, wedding, and community groups in your target destinations. These can be invaluable sources for finding models, vendors, and potential collaborators.
- Connect with local vendors: Build relationships with celebrants, florists, musicians, and other wedding professionals in your destination. These connections often lead to referrals and a smoother experience for your clients.
- Find local photographers: Connecting with photographers based in your destination can provide backup support, potential second shooters, and insider knowledge about locations and conditions.
- Prioritize supporting local businesses: When working internationally, make a point to incorporate local businesses into your clients’ experiences. This not only enhances authenticity but builds goodwill in the communities where you work.
These connections often lead to authentic experiences and opportunities: “I have friends there now who are like, ‘Mandie, you and your clients come have dinner with us.” Over time, these connections become one of your most valuable assets as an international photographer, allowing you to offer a more authentic and seamless experience.
Why Is Cultural Research Essential for International Wedding Photography?
Understanding the cultural context of your destination is not just about creating better art—it’s about professionalism and respect. Mandie emphasizes this point strongly:
“You have to research and stay up to date with politics and just historical things that have created some of these countries, some tensions. Understanding the cultural and political differences between regions is crucial, especially in areas with complex histories.”
This lack of cultural awareness can lead to awkward or even dangerous situations in various destinations. Mandie emphasizes that being knowledgeable about local sensitivities shows professionalism and respect.
Cultural research includes:
- Historical context: Understanding the history and significance of your shooting locations adds depth to your work and helps you appreciate why certain places matter to local people.
- Local customs and etiquette: Learning appropriate behavior for different settings prevents uncomfortable situations and shows respect for local communities.
- Wedding traditions: Different cultures have unique wedding customs that can influence how and when you capture important moments.
- Language basics: Making an effort to learn key phrases in the local language demonstrates respect and can be incredibly helpful in emergencies.
- Local photography rules: Many religious sites, historical locations, and cultural landmarks have specific rules about photography that you must understand before bringing clients there.
Mandie recommends reading books about the history and culture of your destination countries and incorporating cultural context into the information you provide to clients: “In my brochures, I always go through and I do a little bit of a blip on the history and cultural things we need to pay attention to so that my clients are not getting thrown out of a pub.”
This cultural awareness becomes part of your value as an international photographer (and retreat host): “You’re not going to gain trust in your attendees or your clients if you don’t have the knowledge.”
How Do I Price and Structure My International Wedding Photography Business?
How Should I Price International Wedding Photography Packages?
Pricing international wedding photography requires careful consideration of all costs and the value you provide beyond just taking photos.
When first starting out, Mandie acknowledges that many photographers follow a common approach: “I’ve seen people, and this is very popular in the destination groups, pay for my flight and I’ll go shoot.” While this can be a strategic way to get your first international weddings, it’s not sustainable long-term.
“I will not do that because I’m still working while I’m there,” Mandie explains. “I could get there myself on my own dime.”
Mandie recommends photographers consider these factors when pricing their destination wedding packages:
- Your travel costs: Create packages with your travel expenses already built in, allowing you to provide a single all-inclusive price rather than asking clients to cover various expenses separately.
- Local vendor connections: Consider including services like officiants/celebrants, musicians (such as bagpipers for UK/Ireland weddings), and basic florals in your packages to simplify planning for your clients.
- Extended coverage: International weddings often involve multiple days of celebration. Structure your packages to accommodate pre-wedding activities, cultural traditions, and post-wedding gatherings that may be important to document.
- Local knowledge and guidance: Your expertise in navigating the destination is a valuable service that should be reflected in your pricing.
When determining your expenses, Mandie suggests these practical approaches to understand your cost of doing business:
- Research all potential costs thoroughly – Take time to price out flights, accommodations, transportation, and contingency funds for each destination you plan to serve.
- Build in buffer for unexpected expenses – International travel comes with surprises, so ensure your pricing includes enough margin to handle unforeseen costs without cutting into your profit.
- Consider the value of your expertise – Remember that your knowledge of locations, cultural understanding, and vendor connections are valuable assets that clients are paying for beyond just photos.
- Account for time away from home – International weddings require significantly more time away than local weddings, including buffer days before and recovery time after.
Mandie emphasizes that your pricing should ensure you’re profitable while delivering exceptional value: “I don’t think we should just go offering ourselves for plane tickets like I did that first time.”
What Legal Requirements Do I Need to Abide by for International Wedding Photography?
Understanding the legal requirements for working as a photographer in foreign countries is essential to avoid serious consequences.
“The UK and Ireland don’t specifically have creative work permits that cover photography. So it’s kind of like a blurred line, but places like Canada, I know that I absolutely cannot shoot there whatsoever. They will take your cards. They will ban you from the country. They will take your passport.”
To navigate this complex landscape, Mandie recommends:
- Research official government sources: Always check the official government websites of your destination countries for the most accurate visa and work permit information.
- Understand visa requirements: Be aware that many countries now require electronic travel authorizations even for short visits. Ensure both you and your clients have completed all necessary documentation well in advance.
- Research health requirements: Different countries may have specific vaccination or health insurance requirements. Stay informed about current health regulations, which can change frequently.
- Consider your transaction structure: Working with clients from your home country who are getting married abroad can sometimes simplify the financial and legal aspects of your work.
- Research local permit requirements: Many historical sites, parks, and attractions have specific photography permit requirements. Research these thoroughly before promising clients specific locations.
- The legal requirements vary significantly by country, so thorough research is essential before accepting any international booking.
The legal requirements vary significantly by country, so thorough research is essential before accepting any international booking.
How Do You Handle Things When They Go Wrong at International Weddings?
Even with meticulous planning, things can go wrong when shooting internationally. Mandie’s experience photographing a wedding in Barcelona illustrates how challenges can pile up—and how to handle them with grace.
The story began with a near-disaster: “I got to Denver airport and realized I left my Wandrd bag in Colorado Springs. All of my equipment is in there, everything.”
The challenges continued on the wedding day:
- “We go to zip her up, and the zipper and the entire dress is ruined. Would not zip up.”
- “We don’t speak Spanish. We’re going around looking for a dressmaker, a bridal shop…”
- “Our officiant is now like, I can’t stay any longer.”
- “Our location was 40 minutes away.”
- “The sun is setting. Our officiant is like, okay, we can only do it here at La Familia Sagrada. Not our location.”
- “The groom starts throwing up. He starts sweating.”
Despite everything going wrong, Mandie and her clients adapted and made the best of the situation!
This experience highlights several key strategies for handling international emergencies:
- Have backup plans for everything – Always plan for contingencies with alternative locations, vendors, and timelines.
- Know local resources before you arrive – Research local services that could help in emergencies, from tailors to rental equipment providers.
- Stay calm and solution-focused – Your energy sets the tone; focus on solving problems rather than dwelling on what’s gone wrong.
- Be flexible with your vision – Sometimes the best photographs come from unexpected changes to your original plan.
- Remember it’s about the experience and the story – Even when things don’t go as planned, these unexpected moments often become the most meaningful memories for your clients.
The ability to problem-solve under pressure is perhaps the most valuable skill an international wedding photographer can develop. As Mandie sums up: “This is what happens when you are an international photographer… it’s just not what everyone makes it out to be all the time. But those experiences make it worth it because then you have the stories.”
What Are the First Steps to Becoming an International Wedding Photographer?
For photographers inspired to pursue international wedding photography, Mandie offers three key pieces of advice:
- Start saving money strategically: Building a dedicated fund for your international photography pursuits should be your first step. Having financial resources allows you to invest in exploratory trips without the pressure of immediately earning that money back. Start with a small savings goal and gradually increase it as you become more serious about international work. The financial foundation allows you to make decisions based on creative and career goals rather than immediate financial pressure.
- Focus on creating unique content: The international wedding photography market is becoming increasingly saturated, particularly in popular destinations. Look beyond the famous landmarks and Pinterest hotspots that everyone photographs. Consider exploring lesser-known regions, working with local cultural elements in fresh ways, or developing a distinctive stylistic approach to familiar settings. Your unique perspective will help you stand out and attract clients who value originality.
- Persevere through challenges: The path to becoming a successful international wedding photographer inevitably includes setbacks and difficulties. Mandie emphasizes that persistence through challenges is what separates those who succeed from those who don’t. Whether facing logistical problems, financial setbacks, or personal difficulties, maintaining your vision and continuing to pursue consistent progress will eventually lead to breakthrough moments.
Mandie’s own journey included significant hardships: “I got a divorce from my ex-husband. And it wasn’t pretty. And I followed him out here to Colorado. And I was living in an RV with my two kids and we had no running water. We had no money. We had no heat.”
Despite these challenges, she continued pursuing her dream: “I was building my business still through all of that. And no matter what, I would somehow find a way to get there and get boots on the ground and do the work.”
Once you’ve committed to these first steps, Mandie suggests:
- Join international photography groups to learn and network
- Create a business plan specifically for your international work
- Build relationships with photographers in your target destinations
- Consider attending an international photography retreat or workshop
- Start researching the specific legal requirements for your desired locations
Is International Wedding Photography Worth It?
International wedding photography requires more than just a passport and a camera. It demands thorough research, cultural sensitivity, logistical planning, and the ability to adapt to unexpected situations. But for those willing to put in the work, it offers incredible rewards: unique portfolio images, unforgettable experiences, and the opportunity to create art inspired by different cultures and landscapes.
After sharing all the challenges, costs, and complexities of international wedding photography, the question remains: Is it worth it? For Mandie, the answer is unequivocally yes.
The rewards extend far beyond just beautiful portfolio images:
- Personal growth and resilience: International work pushes you outside your comfort zone, developing problem-solving skills and confidence that benefit all areas of your life and business.
- Cultural enrichment and relationships: Immersing yourself in different cultures creates meaningful connections with people around the world and deepens your understanding of global perspectives.
- Artistic development and inspiration: Exposure to different landscapes, architecture, light, and traditions sparks creativity that influences all your work, even when shooting locally.
- Unique market positioning: Specializing in certain international destinations helps you stand out in a crowded market, attracting clients who value your specific expertise.
- Business expansion opportunities: International experience can lead to teaching, workshops, retreats, and other revenue streams beyond just client work.
While international wedding photography requires significant investment—of time, money, and energy—the returns can transform both your business and your life. As Mandie says, “I wanted this life and I went through hell… I wanted this life and everyone was talking about me behind my back. And now everyone kind of wants to be where I am.”
The journey to becoming an international wedding photographer isn’t easy, but for those willing to put in the work, embrace the challenges, and create authentic art from their experiences, it offers rewards that extend far beyond stunning portfolio images.
Are you dreaming of becoming an international wedding photographer? Have you already had experiences shooting weddings abroad? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
About Mandie of Thistle and Pine Photography
Mandie is a film obsessed, wandering mother of three and married to a Brit who everyone knows she is obsessed with. She started Thistle and Pine in 2018; a Thistle represents Scotland and Pine for the pine forests of Colorado. Her passion is for preservation of moments with a whimsical spirit and dashes of antiquity. If she wasn’t a photographer she’d be a vegetarian chef or archaeologist. 1990’s Martha Stewart is her idol. Gin and tonics after a wedding weekend on her feet and a good book revive her soul.
