Best Orange County Wedding Photographer 2025
Weddings
Trusted, licensed and affordable. Dreaming of a magical start to your married life? Let’s make it happen with a Local Wedding Photographer in Orange County. As a Licensed Wedding Photographer OC, I’ll help you plan a wedding that’s all about you—relaxed, fun, and unforgettable.
editor's choice
Top Orange County Wedding Photographer
Your wedding deserves more than posed pictures — it deserves memories that feel alive. I’m Nicole, an experienced Orange County Wedding Photographer who believes in capturing honest emotion and natural connection. My work focuses on real laughter, soft glances, and the beautiful chaos that makes your day uniquely yours.
From the cliffs of Laguna Beach to the charming gardens of San Juan Capistrano, I bring a deep local knowledge to every wedding I photograph. Couples often tell me their photos “feel like them,” and that’s exactly what I strive for — genuine, timeless imagery that reflects your story.
While some photographers chase trends, I focus on what truly lasts: emotion, light, and love. Whether I’m blending in quietly during a ceremony or capturing that perfect sunset at Dana Point Harbor, my goal is to make your experience relaxed and your memories unforgettable.
Nicole is a wedding photographer and videographer based in Orange County, California, documenting celebrations locally and traveling worldwide for thoughtfully planned events.
Nicole Back
Nicole's work is rooted in capturing the quiet, in-between moments that often go unnoticed - the moments that carry the most emotion. Nicole’s approach results in galleries that feel natural, timeless, and deeply personal. Above all, Nicole prioritizes her clients’ experience. From the first conversation to final delivery, she is intentional, attentive, and invested in ensuring each couple feels supported. Nicole&Photo has been featured in California Wedding Day, Green Wedding Shoes, Carats & Cake, Wedding Chicks, LA Times, NBC, and more.
Wedding Photography
8 hours starting at $4,500
10 hours starting at $5,500
Multi-day coverage starting at $7,000
*custom packages available*
Every wedding collection includes:
- 2 Professional Photographers
- Next-Day Sneak Peeks
- High-Res Images with Natural Editing
- Personalized Online Gallery
- Hand-selected Images
- Select Black and White Images
- Specialization in Candid Photos
- Timeline Consultation Expertise
Wedding Videography
ceremony FILM + highlight film + raw footage
8 Hours starting at $4500
10 hours starting at $5500
*custom packages available*
Every wedding collection includes:
- Cinematic wedding highlight film (5+ minutes)
- RAW documentary film with all key moments (ceremony, speeches, first dance) from start to finish
- 4K High-Res Quality
- Drone coverage (weather and venue permitting)
Choosing your Wedding Photographer in Orange County
Hey there! I’m your go-to licensed wedding photographer in OC, and my mission is simple: to make your wedding photos fun, natural, and totally you. From big celebrations to intimate elopements, I’ll be there, camera in hand, capturing all the laughter, happy tears, and silly dance moves that make your day unforgettable.
What Should You Look for in an Orange County Wedding Photographer?
A professional photographer serving Orange County should:
- Have a portfolio that reflects your style—candid, traditional, or a mix
- Be experienced with Orange County wedding venues
- Capture natural light beautifully
- Make you feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera
Every couple is unique, and your photographer should understand and highlight what makes your story special.
How Early Should You Book Your Wedding Photographer?
- Secure your date at your favorite venue
- Plan your engagement session
- Organize a timeline for the big day so everything runs smoothly
The goal? No stress, just amazing photos.
A photography style as unique as your love
- Candid/documentary photography – capturing the laughter, happy tears, spontaneous dance moves, and those little moments you didn’t even realize were happening. These are the shots that truly show the joy and personality of your day.
- Traditional/posed photography – creating elegant, timeless portraits that you’ll treasure forever. These include family portraits, couple shots, and classic wedding moments that make your album complete.
Every wedding is different, and I adapt my approach to match your personalities, your story, and your vision—so your photos feel authentic, natural, and uniquely you.
- Feel relaxed in front of the camera – If photos make you nervous, this is your chance to get comfortable. We’ll laugh, move around, and capture moments that feel natural and fun. No stiff poses, no forced smiles—just the real you.
- Build a connection with your photographer – The better we know each other before the wedding, the smoother and more relaxed everything feels on the day itself. By the time you walk down the aisle, we’ll already be a team.
- Plan your perfect wedding shots – Engagement sessions let us test lighting, angles, and poses so your wedding day photos feel effortless, natural, and full of emotion.
Most Orange County wedding photographers include engagement sessions in their packages because couples who do them almost always have more joyful, authentic, and stress-free wedding photos. Think of it as your warm-up, your practice run, and your first celebration as a couple—all rolled into one session. By investing in this time together, you’re setting yourself up for photos that truly reflect your personalities, your love, and the happiness of your wedding day.
Why Couples Who Do Engagement Photos Smile More on Their Wedding Day?
- Laguna Beach – sunsets, cliffs, and sparkling ocean views
- Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano – historic charm and timeless architecture
- Crystal Cove State Park – natural, elegant scenery perfect for romantic portraits
- Newport Beach wedding venues – classic coastal vibes with luxurious options
- Private estates & luxury gardens – unique, intimate, and customizable settings
No matter where you’re saying “I do,” I know how to use light, angles, and the natural environment to create memorable, gorgeous images.
Stunning Wedding Venues Across Orange County
Elopements & Intimate Weddings
- Capturing the essence of your love, whether it’s just the two of you or a tiny gathering of family and friends
- Ensuring a stress-free, relaxed experience where you feel free to enjoy the day
- Highlighting intimate, personal moments that make your wedding uniquely yours
Even a courthouse ceremony, a secret beach elopement, or a small backyard wedding can be captured in a way that feels magical, meaningful, and deeply personal.
What to Ask During Your Consultation with an Orange County Wedding Photographer
- Have they shot at your venue before?
- From sunset beaches to indoor receptions, can they get stunning shots anywhere?
- Do they have extra cameras and equipment in case of surprises?
- How do they help couples feel relaxed and natural?
- Package details – Engagement sessions, albums, or wedding videography in Orange County—what’s included?
I love helping my couples feel relaxed and excited about their photos. By going through these questions, I can show you how I work, make the process simple, and capture your wedding day in a way that feels natural, fun, and full of real moments.
key takeaways
Choosing Your Perfect Orange County Wedding Photographer
- Book early – Top Orange County wedding photographers fill up fast.
- Pick your style – Candid, traditional, or a mix that fits your personality.
- Do an engagement session – Get comfortable and have fun in front of the camera.
- Check experience with lighting & venues – From beaches to indoor receptions, make sure they can handle it all.
- See full galleries – Don’t just rely on portfolio highlights.
- Feel comfortable – Your photographer should make you feel relaxed and confident.
- Know what’s included – Packages can include engagement sessions, albums, or Orange County wedding videography.
- Prioritize quality over price – Experience and consistency matter most.
- Communicate your must-have shots – Clear direction helps capture every special moment.
- Trust your photographer – A professional Orange County wedding photographer knows how to make your day unforgettable.
Elopements
Ceremony at the Courthouse — $750
Need more coverage? Up to 4 Hours — Starting at $2500 (this is great for an elopement followed by dinner)
Every elopement collection includes:
- 300+ high-res images including the ceremony and romantics after
- Natural editing style, creating timeless images
- A collection of candid, posed, and black & white images, intentionally selected for artistic storytelling
- Next-day sneak peeks
- Timeline consultation to help your day flow smoothly
- A detailed wedding questionnaire to understand your unique vision and priorities
- Option to add extra hours of coverage on the day of, if needed
COUPLES
1 HOUR ENGAGEMENT SESSION — $550
Every photography session includes:
- 50+ high-resolution images in every gallery
- True-to-life editing style for timeless, natural-looking photos
- A collection of black & white images, intentionally selected for artistic storytelling
- Optional outfit change
Heirloom Wedding Albums
Your story, beautifully preserved.
- Engagement Guestbook & Wedding Album Options
- 10"x10"
- 11"x8.5"
- 12"x12"
All albums include up to 20 spreads (that's 40 pages!). After your wedding, you'll get to choose your favorite images, and I'll help design your custom heirloom album. We'll walk through cover options like linen or leather, engraving, and any extras you'd like—such as more pages or a matching storage box.
These albums are printed through a professional lab to ensure your photos look their absolute best—crisp, true to color, and made to last for generations. The pages lay completely flat for a seamless look, and the quality is something you truly have to feel to appreciate.
We’ll go through everything together after your wedding to make the process simple and enjoyable!
She captured some of the most stunning photos I’ve ever seen, and I still can’t get over how effortlessly beautiful each one is. Nicole made me feel so comfortable in front of the camera, and she somehow made both my husband and me look and feel like our most gorgeous, confident selves.
“Nicole is truly spectacular—an artist through and through.”
She made my whole family feel comfortable. She really got their personalities to shine through. Not only did she get some amazing posed photos where she told us exactly how to pose, focused on details like phones in pockets and hair in the right place, she got the most adorable candid photos too.
“No words to express how amazing our experience was with Nicole.”
I'm from New Zealand and proposed to my fiancé in California. Nicole went above and beyond buying flowers and making sure everything was absolutely perfect - things I couldn't do being from out of town and there for such a short time. The photos were delivered super fast and of such high quality.
“I couldn't recommend Nicole enough!!”
Real words
Questions?
01. How far in advance should we book our Orange County wedding photographer?
A: The best Orange County wedding photographers are booked 5–12 months ahead, especially for popular venues.
02. Can you help us choose locations?
A: Absolutely! Beaches, gardens, historic landmarks — I’ll suggest spots that make your photos unforgettable.
03. Can we have sunrise or sunset sessions?
A: Definitely! Morning or evening light creates stunning, romantic images at any Orange County location.
04. Do you travel outside Orange County?
A: Yes, I can travel throughout Southern California to capture your day beautifully.
05. How do we book you?
A: Reach out via my contact form or give me a call at +1 949-287-8895 with your wedding date and details. I’ll confirm availability and share package options.
06. Do you offer wedding videography?
A: Yes! I provide wedding videography in Orange County as part of photo + video packages.
07. Do you ever do mini sessions?
A: Yes! I offer mini sessions for couples, engagements, or small portraits. They’re a fun, relaxed way to capture beautiful moments.
08. Do you photograph both weddings and elopements?
A: Yes! From big weddings at Orange County wedding venues to intimate elopements, every celebration gets the same attention.
Still wondering about something?
Kind Words From Our Wedding Couples
