When it comes to orchestrating an event, the minutiae of planning can often be overwhelming. Yet, among all these details, selecting an apt professional photographer to document the proceedings remains one of the most crucial decisions one can make. Why, you may ask? Simply put, after the venue is vacated and the guests have departed, it is the tangible and vivid memories captured in frames that continue to resonate, narrating the story of the event forever.

In employing the principles of decision theory, primarily the multi-attribute utility theory (MAUT), we can embark on the journey to select the perfect professional photographer. This theory, originally presented by Keeney and Raiffa in their seminal work "Decisions with Multiple Objectives," provides a systematic methodology for considering multiple attributes simultaneously when making decisions.

The first attribute to consider is expertise, which, in the realm of photography, is an intricate tapestry woven from a myriad of threads including technical ability, artistic sensibility, and professional experience. The Pareto Principle, often referred to as the 80/20 rule, can be applied here. This economic principle suggests that 80% of effects come from 20% of the causes, implying that a small percentage of photographers will possess the majority of the expertise. To identify these individuals, you may consider their formal education, portfolio, industry recognition, and client testimonials.

The second attribute is specialization. Just as one wouldn't hire a pastry chef to prepare sushi, it's ill-advised to hire a wildlife photographer for a lavish wedding or a corporate event. Each event demands a unique photographic approach, a theorem akin to the law of requisite variety in cybernetics, which states that the control system must be as diverse as the system it controls.

Thirdly, we examine style. Photography, much like any art, is subject to the artistic preference of the artist, and this style can greatly affect the end product. In this context, we can draw parallels to the concept of spectral signatures in remote sensing, where different objects present unique spectral reflectance and emittance properties. Similarly, every photographer has a unique "signature style" which may range from traditional to photojournalistic, or from color to black and white.

Budget is the fourth attribute, and often a restrictive one. This aspect can be likened to the concept of price elasticity in economics, where demand for a product changes in response to its price. Notably, the relationship between quality and price isn't always linear in the field of photography. It is, therefore, prudent to have a clear understanding of what you are paying for and ensure it aligns with your expectations.

Lastly, rapport, though intangible, is an attribute of paramount importance. The Hawthorne Studies, a series of investigations about workplace productivity conducted in the early 20th century, concluded that the interpersonal dynamics between workers significantly influenced their productivity. Similarly, the relationship between the photographer and the client can significantly impact the quality of the final product.

These seemingly distinct and disparate factors, when looked at through the lens of decision theory, become interconnected variables in a complex equation. By considering each of these attributes concurrently, one can make an informed choice that maximizes satisfaction.

However, it is crucial to remember that no single choice will be universally optimal. As the economist and Nobel laureate Herbert A. Simon noted, we operate within the confines of 'bounded rationality,' where our decision-making is limited by the information we have, our cognitive limitations, and the finite amount of time we have to make a decision. Thus, the focus should not be on finding the perfect photographer, but on finding the photographer who is perfect for your specific event.

Choosing a professional photographer for your event is not a task to be done in haste. Time, research, and a thorough understanding of your own needs are required to find the professional who will capture not just images, but the essence, the narrative, and the emotion of your event - providing you with a timeless memento to cherish in the years to come.