Top Wedding Photography Trends for 2025
Wedding photography is evolving, and 2025 is bringing a fresh wave of trends that blend authenticity, artistry, and emotion. Couples are prioritizing real, unscripted moments over traditional, posed portraits, and photographers are finding new ways to make every love story feel unique. Whether you’re planning your big day or capturing it behind the lens, here’s a look at the biggest wedding photography trends taking over in 2025!
1. Documentary Style Storytelling
Gone are the days of stiff, overly posed wedding photos. Couples want their wedding albums to feel like a real-life love story, capturing genuine laughter, tears, and the little in-between moments that make the day unforgettable. Expect to see more natural, unfiltered storytelling through a mix of candid shots and heartfelt details.
2. Blurred & Motion Photography
Photographers are embracing motion blur and movement-filled images to create a sense of energy and life. Whether it’s a twirling dress, a champagne spray, or a couple running hand-in-hand, intentional blur adds an artistic, cinematic quality to wedding photos that feels spontaneous and real.
3. Editorial
Brides and grooms are loving Vogue-inspired wedding portraits with a mix of high-fashion elegance and effortless cool. Think bold compositions, dramatic lighting, and a touch of glamour, photos that wouldn’t look out of place in a luxury bridal magazine.
4. 35mm & Film Photography Revival
Film photography is making a major comeback! More couples are requesting the timeless, grainy, and nostalgic feel of 35mm film and Polaroid images. Many photographers are offering hybrid packages, combining digital precision with the romantic imperfection of film.
5. Warm, True-to-Life Color Editing
The overly dark, moody edits of the past are fading away. In 2025, wedding photography leans into rich, warm, and true-to-life colors that enhance natural beauty while keeping images timeless. Think soft golden tones, natural greens, and creamy highlights that make photos feel vibrant and real.
6. Black & White Drama
Black and white wedding photos are more popular than ever, but with a twist, high-contrast, dramatic compositions that amplify emotions. These classic, elegant images capture raw, powerful moments in a way that color sometimes can’t.
7. Direct Flash Photography
Inspired by retro film and celebrity weddings, direct flash photography is making a comeback! It adds a fun, high-energy, paparazzi-style feel to wedding receptions, capturing the night’s liveliest moments in a fresh, modern way.
8. Non-Traditional & Alternative Weddings Photography
From intimate backyard weddings to ceremonies in greenhouses, breweries, or mountaintops, more couples are stepping away from traditional venues. Photographers are embracing the challenge, capturing love stories in unexpected and highly personalized settings.
9. Intimate First Look Moments
The “first look” has been a favorite for years, but now couples are getting creative! In addition to the classic first look between partners, brides and grooms are sharing emotional first-look moments with parents, grandparents, or their wedding party, leading to some of the most heartfelt photos of the day.
10. Drone Photography for Epic Aerial Shots
Drones are being used more than ever to capture stunning aerial views of wedding venues, outdoor ceremonies, and grand entrances. Whether it’s a scenic mountain backdrop or a beautifully arranged ceremony space, drone photography adds a breathtaking, cinematic element to wedding galleries.
11. Second Photographer for More Angles
With storytelling becoming a bigger focus, many couples are opting for two photographers to ensure no moment is missed. This allows for multiple perspectives. One photographer capturing the big picture, while the other focuses on the small, emotional details.
12. The “Unplugged Wedding” Trend Continues
More couples are encouraging guests to put their phones away during the ceremony to keep the focus on being present. This not only allows for unobstructed, distraction-free images but also ensures that professional photos capture genuine reactions instead of a sea of screens.
2025 is shaping up to be a year of bold, emotional, and artistic wedding photography. Couples are moving toward candid storytelling, fashion-forward portraits, and unique, personal touches that make their wedding albums feel one-of-a-kind. Whether you’re a bride-to-be or a wedding photographer, embracing these trends will ensure stunning, heartfelt memories that last a lifetime!
@lisasmith.photography
let's connect!