Your wedding photos will be a lasting memento of one of the most important days of your life. Choosing the right wedding photographer will go a long way toward ensuring a perfect (or nearly perfect) day, so what should you consider when selecting one?

* Reputation: If you can get a referral from friends or family who have worked with a certain photographer in the past, that's one excellent way to get a feel for the photographer's style. Looking through someone else's wedding album can help you decide if you like the way the wedding party was captured.

* Portfolio: You can often view some of a photographer's work without leaving your home, just by viewing their websites.



Photo courtesy: Agnes Lopez Photography

* Demeanor: This is highly individual, but meeting with the potential photographer well before your wedding day will help you decide if this is someone you feel comfortable working with.

* Price: This is one of those areas where you don't really want to cut costs, but you have to make sure to budget accordingly.

There are other considerations, such as experience, but feeling comfortable with your photographer will make a big difference in how you come across on film. Also, you should begin shopping around as soon as possible, so that you're not rushed and the photographer you want is still available.

These are just some of the questions to ask a potential photographer:

* How long will you stay at the wedding?
* Do I get to keep negatives?
* When will proofs be ready?
* Will you have an assistant?
* What sort of backup equipment do you have?