While this may seem like the most obvious method of finding out what a photographer can do, you’d be amazed at how many couples glance at a couple of photos online and make their decision. Ask to see the photographer`s wedding portfolio and look through the whole thing.

One of the best ways to find out if a wedding photographer does satisfactory work is to check with those he’s shot for. You will want to ask them not only if they were happy with the photos, but also how the photographer was to work with. Some photographers are amazing at their job, but their attitude can cause a lot of extra stress on a day when you really don’t need any more!

Avoid packaged wedding photographers. Some event halls offer special wedding packages that include a photographer. However, you don’t know how good this person is, so it’s not a good idea to just sign up for the photographer-included package. Take the time to do your research and you will be far happier with how your photos turn out.

Ask about the equipment maintenance schedule. Does the photographer send their equipment in for servicing on a regular basis? The last thing you want is for a camera to break down in the middle of your wedding. Anyone who sends their equipment in regularly (once a year is the norm) should have properly working gear. You may also want to ask if they bring in extras, as well, just in case.

Interview the wedding photographer is an important part of the process of choosing a photographer for your wedding, since it will give you a good feel for what the photographer is like. It’s usually a good idea to interview at least 3 or 4 different wedding photographers before making a decision. That will let you know just what your options are and allow you to make the best choice.

The good wedding photographers are all booked months ahead of time, so be sure to set this up early on. You will also have the relief of getting this stressful task out of the way long before you are down to crunch time with the wedding plans. As soon as the wedding date is set, start looking for a good wedding photographer.

If something should go wrong, you will need a contract to back your claims up. A good photographer confident in his skills will be more than happy to sign a contract that specifies how many 8x10s, 5x7s, etc. will be included in the package. Those who know they could be in trouble will generally try to get out of signing a contract, so beware.