2025 Wedding Photography: Bride-Approved Tips to Choose

If there’s one thing every bride agrees on, it’s this- “Wedding photos are everything!”

Years from now, you won’t even remember the cake’s flavor, the playlist, or how perfectly the napkins were folded!

What you’ll hold closest to your heart are the memories– the laughter during the toasts, the tears in your dad’s eyes as he walks you down the aisle, or that epic dance-off at the reception.

That is when wedding photos become your most-priced treasure, becoming your doorway to relive those epic moments again!

But how will you find the photographer who’ll capture your love story, your vibe, and your raw emotions– without making it look like another Pineterst-perfect wedding?

Well, that is why, we got you this blog with an incredible real-bride wedding photography checklist to help you land the best photographer for your 2025 wedding.

What to Look for Before Hiring a Wedding Photographer?

Before you put effort into finding a wedding photographer, here are a few essential aspects to look for:

The Green Flags

A Stunning Portfolio

Their work matches the style you love (e.g., candid, photojournalistic, or artistic).
Full wedding galleries show consistency across different lighting and settings.

Positive Reviews & Testimonials

They have glowing testimonials from past clients.
Word-of-mouth recommendations from trusted friends or vendors.

Clear Communication

They respond promptly and listen to your needs.
They’re clear about timelines, packages, and deliverables.

Professionalism and Preparedness

They provide a clear, detailed contract.
They have backup equipment and a contingency plan for emergencies

Creative Vision

They stay up-to-date with trends to capture shots that are a perfect mix of classic and contemporary.
They bring fresh ideas to the table with unique shots or special touches.

Good Chemistry

You feel at ease talking to them, and they understand your vision.
They’re enthusiastic and genuinely interested in your wedding day.

Reasonable Packages

Their pricing is transparent and in line with the quality of work they provide.
They offer a variety of budget-friendly options that can be customized to fit your needs.

Familiarity with Your Venue

They’ve worked at your venue before or are willing to scout it in advance.
They understand lighting conditions specific to the location.

The Red Flags

Inconsistent Portfolio

Their portfolio is a mix of styles with no clear direction, making it hard to know what to expect.
Edited photos look unnatural or overly filtered.

Poor Communication

They’re slow to respond or seem disorganized during initial discussions.
They avoid answering questions about pricing, contracts, or deliverables.

Vague Contract

They don’t offer a written agreement detailing services, costs, and policies.
They seem hesitant to provide clarity about rights to the photos or refund policies.

Lack of Experience

They don’t have enough wedding photography experience, which may result in missed moments or an inability to handle unpredictable situations on the big day.
Their portfolio lacks diversity, showing they haven’t yet mastered capturing different lighting, settings, or emotional moments.

Unreasonable Pricing

Their pricing is significantly lower than market rates, which could indicate inexperience.
They charge extra for basics like digital files or sneak peeks.

No Backup Plan

They don’t carry backup equipment or have a second shooter.
They seem unprepared for unforeseen circumstances, like bad weather or illness.

Poor Reviews

There are negative reviews about missed moments, delayed delivery of photos, and unprofessional behavior.
There are consistent complaints about the quality of photos, such as blurry images.

Unprofessional Behaviour

They’re unresponsive to emails or phone calls.
Their communication feels rushed and disorganized.

How Much Will it Cost to Hire a Wedding Photographer in 2025?

As per a Brides article, in 2024, couples in the US invested significantly in capturing their special day, with the average cost typically ranging from $2,500 to $4,000.

However, this cost varied widely from as low as $1,000 to over $50,000 for high-end professionals.

So, expect somewhere around $2,000 and $6,000 for professional wedding photography for 2025, too! These costs depend on various factors like the location, the photographer's expertise & demand, hours covered, and any extras like albums or second shooters.

10 Real Bride Tips: How To Get the Best Wedding Photographer on Board?

Now, let’s come down to the part you have been waiting for– some “must-follow” tips on how to choose a wedding photographer. These practical bits of advice come straight from the real brides who shared their experiences on Reddit.

We did this on purpose because no one knows the importance of getting the perfect shot like the brides who have already walked down the aisle!

So, without further ado, let’s get straight to these ten fantastic wedding photography tips to make sure every moment captured is exactly how you want it!

1. Start Early: Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute

Did you know the best photographers are often booked months in advance?

That’s right, darling!

Waiting too long to hire a wedding photographer could mean missing out on someone amazing!

So, the moment you lock in your wedding date, start the hunt! The same is advised by Erina Rian, a bride who booked her dream photographer a year in advance!

After all, the best ones get booked up fast!

2. Define Your Style!

Would you buy a wedding dress without knowing which silhouette looks the best on your body type? No, right? So, the same goes for photography.

Before you even start looking for photographers, take a moment to find out which wedding photography style speaks to you. Are you drawn more to those classic, traditional shots or those candid, raw emotions?

Or, maybe you love that high-fashion photography – heavily posed, dramatic lighting, and beautifully styled!

Having a clear style makes choosing and working with your photographer so much smoother. And, that is what Merinda Allen suggests for all the brides-to-be in 2025:

3. Get Recommendations

When searching for your ideal photographer, word-of-mouth is priceless! Photographers with glowing reviews from people you trust are already one step ahead of the pack.

Ask your friends who recently got hitched, as well as any relatives, co-workers, or even family members, about their experiences.

They’ve been in your shoes and can share honest feedback about the photographers they loved (or didn’t love).

The same was followed by Funky Fouls, who hired a photographer suggested by her friend! Eventually, trusting her friend's advice turned out to be the best decision ever!

4. Budget Matters!

Yes, it does- every penny counts! A wedding is a costly affair, so prioritize accordingly!

However, don’t treat wedding photography as an expense; instead, it’s an investment! Blurry, fake-looking, over-edited photos? No, thanks!

Well, great photos are a result of experience, skill, and creativity but you don’t have to blow your entire budget though!

All you have to do is set aside a realistic budget for the same! Determine what you’re willing to spend and stick to it, but don’t sacrifice quality for the sake of saving a few bucks.

Stefanie Pags also pointed out the same- no need to overspend! Some talented photographers provide excellent work at affordable rates; all you have to do is research smartly!

5. Review Their Portfolio

Don’t skip this step!

Browse through their recent work to get a feel for how they capture moments, lighting, and emotions.

Check if their portfolio aligns with the vision you have for your D-Day. And, remember, don’t go la-la over that one Insta-worthy shot; instead, ask to see full wedding galleries.

Ernie Jo couldn’t agree more—reviewing portfolios is the best tip to pick the photographer who fits your vision.

6. Narrow Down the Ones Who Makes You Comfortable

Finally, now that you have checked and compared 5-6 photographers, it’s time to pick the ones who vibed with you!

Your photographer will be throughout your side during the ceremony. So, it’s essential to find someone who feels like a friend, not just a vendor.

Make sure you pick the one who’s:

Easy to talk to.
Can instruct well without judging (camera-shy people would relate).
Friendly and approachable.
A good listener.
Most importantly, confident!

Crafty Seattle Bride also chose the one she felt the most comfortable with after reaching out to a bunch of photographers!

7. Meet Them and Ask Questions

Meeting personally or even virtually is a must!

This gives you the chance to gauge their personality and see if you click. You’ll also get the opportunity to ask important questions, like:

How long have you been shooting weddings?
Can we see a full wedding album from a recent wedding you shot?
What is your photography style?
What kind of cameras and lenses do you use?
How many weddings have you photographed at my venue?
Do you work alone or have a second shooter?
Can we customize our photography package?
What’s included in your wedding photography packages?
How do you handle a backup plan in case of equipment failure?
What is your approach to posing couples and groups?
Do you provide an engagement session? If so, when should we schedule it?
How soon after the wedding can we expect to receive our photos?
Do you offer albums or prints?
How many photos do you typically deliver?
What kind of editing do you do on the photos?
How do you handle low-light or difficult lighting situations?
Are you comfortable working with a wedding planner or other vendors?
How much time do you recommend for wedding day photography?
Do you have liability insurance?
How early will you arrive on the wedding day, and how late will you stay?
How do you manage wedding day timelines?
Are you open to specific photo requests, like particular family groupings or candid shots?
Do you travel for weddings, and are there additional fees for travel?
Do you have experience with multicultural weddings or unique wedding traditions?
Can you provide references from recent couples?
How do you handle large wedding parties or crowded receptions?
Will we receive high-resolution images, and are we allowed to print them?
What’s your policy on overtime or extra hours?
How do you approach capturing candid moments during the ceremony and reception?
What’s your backup plan if there’s bad weather?

Love Nerds also advises interviewing your photographer, even if takes the whole day!

8. Does Your Photographer Knows Your Venue?

Every wedding venue comes with its own set of quirks– be it lighting, specific angles, or the best spots for the golden hour! So, if your chosen photographer is familiar with the venue, they’ll already be aware of the best spots for photos.

And, in case, your photographer hasn’t worked at your venue before, ask if they’re willing to visit it in advance so that they come prepared on the big day!

Another Reddit bride, CIW319, recommended doing a venue walkthrough ahead of time to ensure those picture-perfect shots.

9. Social Media Also Plays a Role!

Social media and planning are basically inseparable in today’s wedding world, right?

So, don’t just rely on your photographer’s website or portfolio! Platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and even Reddit offer a goldmine of inspiration and examples, straight from the real brides.

You can check out the work of your particular wedding photographer by searching wedding hashtags. (e.g., #[VenueName]Wedding or #[PhotographerName]Weddings)

Look, at how Amerelie found her wedding photographer- read out the post below!

10. Get Your Engagement Shoot Done

An engagement shoot isn’t just about getting cute photos; it’s an opportunity to get comfortable with your photographer!

This pre-wedding session allows you both to get used to the camera and gives your photographer a chance to understand your dynamic.

Smore Fun Outside, a Reddit user, also emphasized getting engagement shoots done in order to get a sneak peek at how they work, their style, and their direction!