I’m going to put this simply. You can hire a photographer on a venue’s preferred vendor list or someone who specifically worked at your venue. There’s nothing wrong with that in many cases. However, the argument that someone who worked at a specific venue is better suited than an experienced photographer or videographer who has not worked there is completely invalid. Here are the many reasons to expand your horizons beyond those on the preferred vendor list!

Many venues charge vendors to be on the preferred vendor list as it is a marketing opportunity.

Is this inherently a bad thing? No. It’s marketing and exposure for many vendors. It’s an opportunity to the the first vendor a couple sees once their date and venue is set. Where things can go wrong is a question of checking on a vendors reviews and being sure that they are experienced if you are looking for a photographer who has shot a wedding at your venue, that usually is accompanied by wanting someone who is an experienced wedding photographer as well. That leads to the next point…

Experience matters more.

An experienced wedding photographer is someone who has worked at least three seasons photographing weddings consistently under their own brand and/or as a lead photographer. That’s the definition agreed upon by many sources, but in general the more time someone has photographed weddings in the industry the better. An experienced photographer could step foot at your venue 5 minutes before starting wedding coverage and know exactly how to react in every lighting situation, how to seamlessly work through any issues which may arise throughout the day, and how to identify the best areas for portraits.

New venues often give photographers the opportunity to be even more creative.

When a photographer steps foot in a new environment it gives us the opportunity as creatives to see things differently and we become even more creative. Personally, when I walk into a new venue for the first time I am overwhelmed with excitement for all of the creative shots I see the potential in. This means your photos won’t look like everyone else’s. Hiring a photographer who hasn’t shot at that venue will allow for a fresh perspective of the space.

Routine isn’t always a good thing.

To continue on my point from above when a photographer photographs the same venue space on repeat several times in a season it can lead to potentially stale photographs. This isn’t always the case as every wedding and couple will inevitably be different, but there is a possibility of it. Now, if your photographer loves photographing weddings at a certain venue so much that might lead to even better photographs of your day due to how your photographer is inspired by the space. This is an area you want to do your research in.

Important Notes on hiring a photographer who hasn’t photographed your venue:

When your photographer has never photographed your venue before establishing communication between the venue and photographer is very important. Let your venue know which of your vendors have not worked at their venue. Many venues require a certificate of liability insurance from vendors. Additionally, as a photographer I enjoy coordinating with the venue staff in advance to be sure I am following all of their rules and we’re working together as a team to ensure that you have the best day!

New Venues I am Photographing in 2025-2026:

Cardigan Lodge, Alexandria, NH

Gunstock Mountain Resort, Gilford, NH

Look Park, Northampton, MA

Millwright’s Restaurant, Simsbury, CT

Mountainville Manor, Mountainville, NY

Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse, South Portland, ME

The Viewpoint Hotel, York, ME

Whitney’s Inn at Jackson, Jackson, NH

My Wedding Venue Bucket List:

Allrose Farm, Greenfield, NH

The Barn on the Pemi, Plymouth, NH

The Barn at Snuggler’s Notch, Jeffersonville, VT

Black Mountain Lodge at Arapahoe Basin, Dillon, CO

Boston Public Library, Boston, MA

Castle Hill on the Crane Estate, Ipswich, MA

Cobb Hill Estate, Harrisville, NH

Dunton Hot Springs, Dolores, CO

Eolia Mansion at Harkness Memorial State Park, Waterford, CT

The Estate at Moraine Farm, Beverly, MA

Hammond Castle, Gloucester, MA

Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, MA

Hildene, Manchester Center, VT

The Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum, Boston, MA

Jay Peak Resort, Jay, VT

The Lilac Inn, Brandon, VT

The Little Nell, Aspen, CO

Marianmade Farm, Wiscassett, ME

Maroon Bells Amphitheatre, Aspen, CO

The Mount, Lenox, MA

The Notch House, Barton, VT

The Oakland House, Brooksville, ME

Owl’s Nest Resort, Thornton, NH

San Sofia Overlook at Telluride, Telluride, CO

Terramor Outdoor Resort, Bar Harbor, ME

Tops’l Farm, Waldoboro, ME

Tupper Manor, Beverly, MA

Valley View Farm, Haydenville, MA

Von Trapp Family Lodge & Resort, Stowe, VT

The Wadsworth Mansion at Long Hill, Middletown, CT

Wanderwood, Nobleboro, ME

Wentworth by the Sea, Portsmouth, NH

Whiteface Hollow, South Tamworth, NH

Venues I have Photographed in the Past:

All of this being said, here is the list of venues I have experience photographing at! I strive to give all of my couples a fresh perspective on their elopements or weddings despite whether or not I have been to a venue. I have six years experience photographing weddings and elopements under my own brand! These venues are all in addition to scores of weddings and elopements at private estates, out in the great outdoors, and at vacation rentals!

Antelope Trails Ranch, Jackson Hole, WY

Apple Hill Farm, Leominster, MA

The Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain, MA

Atkinson Country Club, Atkinson, NH

The Bedford Village Inn, Bedford, NH

Bishop Farm, Lisbon, NH

Bretton Woods Vacation & Moose Lodge, Bretton Woods, NH

Cabbage Island Clambakes, Boothbay Harbor, ME

Cathedral of the Pines, Rindge, NH

Chez Nous Wedding, Searsburg, VT

Christmas farm Inn & Spa, Jackson, NH

Colby Hill Inn Bed & Breakfast, Henniker, NH