Wedding Photographers all say “I Do”.

The wedding photography market is flooded these days. With the full adoption of digital photography and the accessibility of quality equipment within reach of the average person, it's no surprise everyone and their dog is throwing "Photography" on the end of their name and trying to make some cash. But of course, having a nice camera no more makes you a photographer than having a hammer and nails makes you a carpenter. Well, have no fear, Angie’s List will help you easily weed through the noise and find the photographer that is perfect for you.

Three quick tips:

1. The Portfolio: First and foremost, the absolutely most important thing in looking for a photographer is that you like, or better yet, love their work. Dive deep into their portfolio and get a sense of their style and their overall approach to the art.
2. The Blog: Many photographers will have blogs that they post many images for each session. This lets you see they are consistent, so you aren't worried that you are only seeing their cherry-picked best.
3. Go deep:If you like what you see but can't find anymore pictures to verify consistency, feel free to contact the photographer for more samples. A lot of photographers provide pass-code protected galleries for their clients... and they will usually give you access to these to see if you are satisfied.

There are many great photographers, sometimes it’s hard to choose. Think about the different styles of photography. Knowing what you like best will put you on the path to getting what you want visually. Here are a few more things to consider:

Event Photography: Capture the Moment

The goal with special events, weddings or portrait photography is to capture the best of human life in the moment. Photos recreate that event every time you see them, so the more accurate the photos are, the happier most people are. Be sure to choose a photographer that understands this notion, and will show you images of what he/she has done before.

Budget Photography: Skimp on the cake instead.

Budget photographers run into a related problem all the time. People will book them because they are cheap, but they aren't happy with the results. You can't dislike someone's portfolio, pay chump change, and then somehow expect a Vogue magazine cover. Good photography isn't cheap because there is a LOT of time and money invested in equipment, training and practice. Cut back on the cake, or DJ and make room in your budget for a photographer. Other than your memories and a marriage, it's the only thing that you take away from your day.

Image quality and equipment: Don’t be afraid to ask.

Although there are some photographers that can get great images from SLR (single lens reflex) entry-level equipment, that’s not typically the case. It’s certainly okay to ask your photographer what type of equipment they use. If they use this equipment but have a great reputation for capturing moments, view their images. Any reputable photographer will have an array of images to see. The proof is always in the pudding.

Wedding Photography: Starting a new relationship … with your photographer.

You really need to connect to your photographer as a person. This means a face-to-face meeting. You don't want a photographer that just gets down to business. The best photographers will want to know all about YOU so they can have a personal investment in you and your photos. Also, meetings are a good time to see published prints and albums. It's easy to make a blurry or low-quality image look nice and sharp when it's being viewed on a small screen... but if they don't look good printed, forget it.

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