Your married friends weren't lying when they said that the one area that you should splurge on for your wedding is photography. That being said, hiring a talented yet affordable wedding photographer is possible for brides and grooms who find themselves strapped for cash. Here are the types of photographers you should keep on your short list as you look for your wedding day shooter.

The Portfolio Builder

This photographer comes in two forms: the seasoned professional with limited wedding experience and the new professional with little to no wedding experience. Both photographers are interested in plumping their wedding portfolios, which translates into savings for your bottom line.

The seasoned professional is obviously your best bet, as he or she most likely has extensive experience dealing with photo shoots and can deal with large crowds, anxious clients, and tricky weather situations. An ideal choice would be a photographer who has previously worked with children, fashion models, or large special events.

The new professional is a trickier wager. On the one hand, you'll be getting an affordable wedding photographer who is likely to be enthusiastic, dedicated and prompt. Chances are you'll receive ample coverage of your event, as a new professional is eager to capture every aspect of the ceremony and the reception to prove that he or she is able to cover an entire event. The drawback? A new professional has little experience dealing with all of the tricky situations that inevitably arise during a wedding photo shoot.

The Customizer

As you examine the websites of potential photographers, look for people who actively point out that they are willing to create special packages for brides and grooms who want to go a la carte. The key to hiring an affordable wedding photographer is securing the option of mixing and matching items from the available photo menu. Consider drawing up a wish list of every photo and setup you'd like at your wedding. Send that list to your potential shooters and ask them for a price quote. When the price inevitably comes back at a higher rate than you can pay, ask the photographer to cut the list to match your budget. You may be surprised at what you can afford if you are flexible with what you want.

The Do-It-Yourselfer

A modern affordable wedding photographer knows that the days of wedding albums and paper proofs are all but over. This means that many are willing to negotiate with you on the price of digital negatives. If you ask for the option to print all of your pictures yourself, you're likely to receive a significant discount on your original wedding photography quote. Printing the pictures yourself also gives you the option of sending discs to family and friends so that they can also have pictures from your special day.

The Time Cruncher

Keep an eye out for an affordable wedding photographer who offers a ceremony-only package. Photographers with this option tend to price their services per hour, allowing you to have pictures of the important moments without paying for hours of unnecessary shots. Prioritize your shot list and decide how many hours can be covered by a professional and which time you'll leave open to the interpretation of amateurs. Keep in mind that while friends and family members can sometimes capture amazing candids, you're always better off hiring a professional to cover the most important moments.

The Deal Maker

If all else fails, get creative in your attempts to find an affordable wedding photographer. Hold your event on a weekday or a Sunday to negotiate a better rate. Choose an off-season month and you'll likely have your pick of professionals at a price you can afford. Keep your location convenient to that of your photographer and you'll find that your bargaining power will increase.