The most important question you should ask is: "Are you the photographer who will be photographing my wedding?"
When you hire a photographer, you're not buying pictures and albums, you're buying a person's skills. So your first thought should be, Who's the right photographer to capture our wedding images on film? Start off by making appointments with several photographers to view their work. You may save yourself some time by asking the photographer if he or she has a website you may view before going to the studio. It's very important to get out there and look!

When visiting a prospective studio, make sure you're looking at the work of the photographer who will be photographing your wedding. Some photographers, such as myself, are the only photographer in the studio and do all the work personally. Then there are studios that have one, or possibly several, associate photographers. Make sure that, if you're not getting the name on the door, you're getting a face with a name, then ask to view that photographer's work. Make sure the photographer you want to hire is named in the contract before you sign.

Personality and rapport are extremely important. Make sure you both feel comfortable with your photographer because he or she will spend the better part of the wedding day with you. Even if you think this person's work is the next best thing to sliced bread, if you don't feel comfortable with your photographer, it'll show when you get your images back. You're investing in this person's vision, creative abilities, professionalism, character, and personality. Ask yourself, "Would I invite this person to my wedding?" because that's exactly what you'll be doing.

Along with your memories, your photographs will be the only things you have left once your wedding day has past. Make sure you hire the right person for you. You want to have great images and pleasant memories to look back upon.

By Robert Evans