1. Does your photographer have experience shooting weddings? Weddings are a lot more challenging than studio shooting or shooting in a controlled environment. Lighting is always challenging and it's important to know where you need to be and when. You only get one shot at it, you don't get to yell "DO OVER" in the middle of a wedding ceremony. So, it's definitely important that your photographer has wedding experience. *Don't be fooled by fake wedding pictures! Many photographers set up what are called "styled shoots" where they dress a couple up like a bride and groom and spend hours trying to get some perfect pictures for their websites. This is not the same and as a real wedding where you have only seconds to get the shot! Make sure your photographer has lots of "real" wedding experience!

2. Does your photographer have experience shooting your type of wedding? Outdoor weddings as well as many venues present unique lighting problems which require an experienced photographer who's dealt with these problems before.

3. Does your photographer have the right camera? Just because a photographer has a DSLR, does not mean he has the right equipment to do a good job shooting your wedding! Consumer grade DSLR's (like the Rebel series) don't have the speed or low light capabilities of a professional grade DSLR. Professional grade DSLR's have larger sensors which produce much better images especially in lower light. Professional grade DSLR cameras range from around $3000 - $5000 just for the body.

4. Does your photographer have the right lens? Kit lenses that come with most DSLR's are not capable of producing sharp images nor are they capable of getting the shot in low light situations like most weddings. Your photographer needs to have a f2 (or better f1.8 or f1.2) lens in a range from 18-200mm. A really good wedding lens usually runs $2000 - $3000.

5. Does your photographer have a good back up camera and/or a second camera? Weddings happen fast, not much time for changing lenses so it's a good idea to have 2 cameras with different lenses for different kinds of shots. This also means that all your images are not all on one camera in the rare case of a camera malfunction. Cameras do break sometimes! So it's only smart to carry 2 cameras. If one quits on you, you can swap lenses if necessary.

6. Does your photographer shoot in raw or jpeg? If he doesn't know what a raw file is, don't trust him with your wedding! Why is this important? Well, raw files capture 10 times more data which is sometimes needed in post to save a shot.

7. Does your photographer know how to use photoshop? Or even have photoshop? There's always going to be things that need to be fixed in post processing. Objects that need to be remove from a shot, skin blemishes that need to be smoothed over, etc. There are other programs for amatuers to use, but photoshop is the superior product for professional results.

8. Is your photographer willing to go the extra mile to get you good photos? Sometimes it's necessary to lay on the ground or climb on top of something, move things or just move fast, etc. to get the shot. Rarely do I shoot a wedding without breaking a sweat. Make sure your photographer is willing to do whatever is necessary to get the shot.

9. Is your photographer professional? Look for a photographer who knows how to dress and conduct himself in a professional manner. You don't want your photographer showing up in flip flops and a t-shirt or jeans and sneakers. You want someone who dresses appropriately for the occasion, has manners, and treats your guest with respect.

10. Does your photographer have a portfolio that supports the experience he's claiming? Many photographers display only a few images on their website. Make sure your photographer has a vast array of images you can look view. If 5 good shots is all he has......why?