How to Find the Perfect Wedding Photographer

Your wedding is a big deal. It doesn't matter if your ceremony is large and lavish or small and sedate; you want to document the moment. In this day of video, photographs are still the preferred medium of recording personal events. Watching a video cannot replace the warm feelings received from flipping through a family photo album.

Choosing your wedding photographer is an important decision. A bad wedding photographer can steal moments that will be lost forever. Why leave your big day to chance? Don't hire your best friend's son unless he's a professional wedding photographer. Don't leave your photography needs to your brother and his digital camera. No, your wedding day is not the day to take chances.

How Do I Find a Photographer?

If you've never hired a photographer, it can be a daunting task. The last thing you want is a hack photographer ruining your wedding pictures. But don't worry; there are some steps you can take to decrease your chances of hiring a bad photographer.

1. Ask friends and family for referrals. If friends and family feel comfortable enough to recommend a photographer, then he or she probably does great work. But be careful. Make sure the photographer is recommended based on their work instead of their personal relationship with the referrer. So if your coworker recommends his daughter, be sure he's not just trying to get his kid an assignment.

2. Check the photographer's portfolio. The photographer may take good photos, but they may not be to your liking. Is the photographer better with black and white than with color? Are the photos slightly out of focus? Are the poses to your liking? These are things to consider when evaluating a photographer's portfolio.

3. Ask about experience. Does the photographer specialize in weddings? Has she or he ever photographed a wedding? At this point, you should also ask for references. Speaking with past clients is a great way to judge the photographer's professionalism. Also make sure you meet the photographer with whom you'll be working. If you're working with an agency, they may send a photographer you haven't met or evaluated.