Wedding Photography Trends for 2025: The Do's And Don'ts According To Latest Trends

Wedding photography has always been more than capturing moments—it’s about immortalizing emotions, stories, and individuality. As 2025 approaches, the art of wedding photography is evolving in fascinating ways. Drawing from Togather’s supplier insights, industry trends, and wider research, this guide explores the key movements shaping wedding photography while balancing context and practical considerations.

The Rise of Storytelling: Candid Over Posed

Documentary-style photography has become a cornerstone of modern weddings, prioritizing authenticity over formality. This approach captures fleeting moments—teary vows, laughter during preparations, and the spontaneous joy of guests mingling.

Barry Powell from Memories Photography notes, “Couples are looking for emotion-driven narratives that reflect the essence of their day without feeling staged.” Togather’s survey of photographers echoes this, with 68% reporting increased demand for candid coverage.

However, this style isn’t without challenges. Photographers need to be skilled at blending into the background, and couples must trust them to document unscripted moments. While this trend suits those seeking heartfelt storytelling, it might not appeal to couples who prefer traditional portraiture.

Art Meets Action: Movement-Focused Imagery

Blurred-action photography is surging in popularity, creating images that feel alive and dynamic. This technique captures motion—whether a spinning bride on the dance floor or a veil blowing in the wind—in a way that conveys energy and emotion. Publications like The Knot have highlighted this trend as a fresh take on traditional poses​.

Yet, balance is crucial. Overuse of motion blur can detract from clarity, making it vital for photographers to pair this style with more conventional shots. For couples, it’s an exciting option to add a creative edge to their album.

Film Photography: Nostalgia Reimagined

Film photography, once considered outdated, is back in demand. With its rich tones and dreamy texture, it offers a timeless, nostalgic aesthetic. Togather photographers have observed a particular interest in film among couples planning vintage or outdoor weddings.

While its appeal is undeniable, couples should weigh its practicality. Film can be more costly and slower to process than digital photography, so it’s often chosen as a supplement rather than a primary medium. Still, for those who value its artistic qualities, film remains a powerful way to capture wedding memories.

The Social Media Factor: TikTok Reels and Instant Sharing

In an age dominated by social media, short-form video content is revolutionizing wedding photography. TikTok-inspired reels have become a popular request, with 45% of videographers in Togather’s network offering packages that include cinematic, shareable clips. These videos showcase highlights—like the first look or the cake cutting—set to music, making them perfect for online sharing.

Laura Barber of Lilypad Productions shares her perspective: “These reels are great for couples who want to relive their day in a fun, modern way while keeping their friends and family engaged.”

However, some photographers warn against relying solely on short-form videos. Traditional, longer wedding films still hold a place for capturing deeper emotions and more comprehensive storytelling.

Innovative Techniques: Dutch Angles and Aerial Views

Creativity continues to push boundaries, with photographers experimenting with Dutch angles and drone photography. Dutch angles—tilted shots that add drama—are gaining traction for their cinematic quality, as reported by photography blogs like Shotkit​. Meanwhile, drones are being used to capture sweeping aerial views, providing a unique perspective of the venue and its surroundings.

These methods offer striking visuals but require skillful execution to avoid feeling gimmicky. Drone usage, for example, is limited by weather and venue restrictions, while Dutch angles should be used sparingly to maintain impact.

Sustainability: Weddings with a Conscience

Sustainability is increasingly influencing wedding decisions, including photography. From eco-friendly photo albums to digital delivery, couples are seeking ways to reduce their environmental footprint. In Togather’s venue survey, 62% of respondents highlighted sustainable practices as a priority for clients.

Photographers are adapting by minimizing artificial lighting, featuring recycled décor in shoots, and offering green-friendly packages. However, these options often come at a higher cost, requiring couples to find a balance between their values and budget.

Guest-Centric Photography: Interactive Experiences

Couples are involving their guests in the photography process more than ever. Retro photo booths, Polaroid stations, and disposable cameras on tables are making a comeback. These interactive elements encourage guests to document the day from their own perspectives, adding a layer of intimacy to the collection.

Venues on Togather’s platform frequently mention photo booths as guest favorites, citing their ability to double as both entertainment and keepsakes. However, professional photographers caution that guest-taken images are best viewed as supplementary, ensuring the main narrative remains cohesive.

The Golden Hour vs. Twilight Debate

Golden hour—celebrated for its soft, romantic light—has long been a favorite among wedding photographers. However, twilight photography, with its moody and dramatic tones, is carving out its own niche. Togather data reveals that 38% of couples now request twilight portraits, often featuring sparklers or lanterns.

Both styles offer distinct aesthetics, and photographers often recommend capturing a mix of both. This ensures couples have a versatile album, blending classic romance with modern drama.

The Personal Touch: Pets, Props, and Custom Themes

Weddings are becoming more personal, with couples incorporating unique elements into their photography. From pets acting as ring bearers to custom backdrops and themed décor, individuality is at the forefront. James Keates of JK Weddings recounts one memorable shoot: “The couple’s dog brought the rings—it was a hit with guests and made for some of the most endearing photos.”

This trend celebrates creativity but requires careful coordination to avoid overwhelming the day’s flow. Photographers recommend working closely with couples to strike the right balance between personalisation and practicality.

So if we’ve looked at the trends for 2025, then what are the things you should be avoiding? Well whilst there isn’t a definitive answer and ultimately, everyone is free to do whatever they like, we’ve looked at some of the asks and descriptions of our enquiries for wedding photography to find out what couples are avoiding and what photographers suggest to do instead.

Big No-Goes in Wedding Photography: What to Avoid in 2025

1. Overly Posed, Stiff Portraits

Traditional posed group shots, with rigid arrangements and forced smiles, are becoming a thing of the past. Couples and their families now prefer natural, candid images that reflect real emotions and connections. While a few formal group photos are still standard, over-reliance on stiff setups can feel dated and miss the essence of the day.

What to do instead: Opt for gently guided poses or interactive moments, like having the group laugh together or walk casually, which create a more dynamic and relaxed feel.

2. Overdone Photoshop Effects

Heavy-handed editing styles, such as soft-focus vignettes, selective colorization (e.g., black-and-white photos with a single object in color), and over-saturated hues, are widely considered outdated. These effects can make photos look artificial and detract from the timeless quality most couples want.

What to do instead: Use natural, clean edits that enhance colors and lighting without making the photos look overly manipulated. Subtlety is key.

3. Over-Reliance on Props

In the past, wedding shoots often featured excessive or gimmicky props—think oversized frames, chalkboards with kitschy quotes, or overly themed setups. While props can add personality, too many can make photos feel cluttered and less authentic.

What to do instead: Incorporate meaningful or minimalist props that enhance the couple's story, such as heirlooms, elegant floral arrangements, or personal keepsakes.

4. Cookie-Cutter Shot Lists

Rigid shot lists can stifle creativity and limit the spontaneity that makes wedding photos special. For example, adhering to a pre-set list of "must-have" poses, like jumping bridal parties or choreographed bouquet toss photos, can result in predictable and uninspired imagery.

What to do instead: While it’s important to capture key moments, encourage the photographer to leave room for improvisation and storytelling based on the energy and flow of the day.

5. Excessive Use of Drones

While aerial photography is a fantastic tool for capturing unique perspectives, overusing drones can be distracting and take the focus away from the intimate moments of the day. Additionally, loud drones buzzing during a quiet ceremony can detract from the experience.

What to do instead: Use drones sparingly and for specific shots, such as capturing the venue’s landscape or a group photo from above. Make sure to balance drone footage with traditional close-up and intimate photography.

6. Glamorous "Trash the Dress" Sessions

While "trash the dress" sessions—where brides wear their wedding dress in unconventional or messy settings—were trendy a decade ago, they’ve lost their appeal for many. Couples today are more focused on preserving their dress or repurposing it for sentimental or sustainable reasons.

What to do instead: Post-wedding shoots are still popular, but they focus on meaningful or adventurous locations, like revisiting where the couple got engaged, without intentionally ruining the attire.

7. Trend-Overload Albums

Trying to incorporate every single photography trend into one wedding album can result in a disjointed and overwhelming final product. For example, combining Dutch angles, excessive movement blur, selective colorization, and heavy filters might detract from the emotional connection of the images.

What to do instead: Focus on trends that align with the couple’s vision and style, ensuring the album feels cohesive and timeless.