NYC Destination Wedding Photographer: From Amsterdam to New York
March 14, 2026
There are some messages you never forget as an NYC destination wedding photographer. When L & I decided to get married, they reached out to me before even finalizing their wedding date or venue. They knew one thing for certain: they wanted me to be the photographer responsible for capturing their story.
Not in Amsterdam.
Not somewhere nearby.
But in New York City.
More specifically, in a cozy and intimate venue in Brooklyn, surrounded by the people they love most.
Out of all the photographers they could have chosen in New York, in a city overflowing with incredible talent and endless local options, they chose to fly me from the Netherlands to photograph their wedding day. That level of trust and deep connection is something that still feels incredibly special to me.
After many emails, video calls, planning conversations, Pinterest boards, and exchanged photos, the day finally arrived, and I boarded a plane to NYC.
The Art of Preparation: Inside the Process of an NYC Destination Wedding Photographer
As a destination wedding photographer, I always explain to my couples that my work starts long before the wedding day itself. When you hire an international photographer, there’s an entire creative and logistical process happening behind the scenes.
That’s why I usually require 3 to 4 days for destination weddings. It’s not just for travel; it’s to fully immerse myself in the environment. I use this time to scout locations, study lighting conditions at different hours, understand the unique atmosphere of the city, and ensure I am fully prepared to create images that feel intentional and personal.
For L & I’s wedding, I arrived in New York two days early. Besides the wedding coverage itself, they deeply wanted portraits together in the places that meant the most to them around Brooklyn. I spent hours walking through the neighborhoods, observing how the light hit the brick walls, searching for unique angles, textures, and those quiet moments hidden within the energy of the city.
From Skyline Views to a 1970s New York Yellow Cab
Then, the wedding day came.
The morning started in an incredible hotel suite overlooking the Manhattan skyline. The atmosphere was calm, emotional, and buzzing with anticipation. One of my absolute favorite moments was the First Look between the bride and groom. Seeing the expression in I’s eyes when he turned around and saw L in her wedding dress for the first time was insane—just pure happiness, admiration, and raw emotion all at once.
Afterward, we headed out to explore Brooklyn for their creative portraits. Waiting for us outside was something classic: a vintage yellow New York taxi from the ’70s.
Not only did it help us navigate between locations, but it became such a fun, stylish part of the photographs themselves, giving their gallery that effortless, cinematic New York feel. We photographed all around Brooklyn, playing with the Manhattan skyline in the background, quiet corners of the neighborhood they loved, and, of course, the timeless Brooklyn Bridge.
Capturing Personality Over Perfection: A Spontaneous NYC Moment
But one of my favorite moments of the entire day happened completely spontaneously.
We passed a classic New York hot dog stand, and since the couple absolutely loves hot dogs, I immediately said, “Okay… we HAVE to stop.”
L was genuinely the happiest person in the world holding that hot dog in her hands, laughing and sharing bites with I right in the middle of the New York energy. Those photos became some of my favorites because they felt so authentically them, playful, relaxed, unscripted, and real.
That’s always what I’m searching for in my photography: not just perfection, but true personality.
Once we finished the outdoor portraits, we returned to the hotel for another emotional milestone, this time, L’s First Look with her father. Their bond through music is incredibly special. Fun fact: they spent months together building the exact playlist that would play during dinner at the wedding reception. It was such a beautiful, subtle reflection of their relationship and family connection.
An Intimate Brooklyn Celebration (And a Pie Party!)
After some family portraits and a little downtime for the couple to breathe and relax, we headed to the venue in Brooklyn.
The celebration began with an intimate Jewish ceremony shared only with their closest family members, followed by a traditional ceremony where friends and extended family joined in.
The evening unfolded slowly and beautifully. There were emotional speeches from both mothers, heartfelt words from the bride’s best friend and the groom’s sister, endless conversations, laughter, tears, and a beautiful joy filling the room all night long.
And to finish the night in the most perfect, unconventional way possible? A pie party.
Yes. Pie partyyyyy. And honestly… it couldn’t have been more them.
Let’s Tell Your Story, Anywhere in the World
Looking back at L & I’s day, it hits me how incredible it is to do what I do. Being invited into someone’s world, packing my bags and flying thousands of miles just to be there with them, is something I will never take for granted.
Whether it’s New York City, Iceland, Italy, Paris, or anywhere else in the world, documenting love stories in places that matter deeply to my couples is the greatest part of my career.
I am currently based in Amsterdam and available for destination weddings and elopements worldwide. If you’re planning a wedding abroad and looking for a photographer who will not only document your day but truly experience it with you, capture it honestly, and turn your memories into timeless, soulful imagery, I would love to hear your story. Click here to get in touch
