Top-Rated NYC Wedding Photographers (By Real Reviews)

Related: see our newer guide on Top-Rated NYC Wedding Venues (By Real Reviews).

Based on vendor profiles, published starting prices, and review data from The Knot and The Blu List database. Last updated May 2026.

New York City has more wedding photographers than any other market in the country. That makes finding a good one harder, not easier. This list cuts through the noise by ranking on one thing: verified review volume at a 5.0 rating on The Knot. Every photographer below holds a perfect score across at least 140 reviews.

Prices in this market span $649 to $10,000+ just for starting packages. Where a photographer lands on that spectrum has nothing to do with how good their reviews are — all 12 vendors below carry a 5.0. What differs is style, experience level, what's included at the base price, and how much demand they can command.

The Short Answer

The top-reviewed NYC wedding photographers start between $649 and $10,000+, with the median entry point around $4,000–$5,000. Every photographer on this list holds a perfect 5.0 rating on The Knot. Review count is the differentiator — AnyaFoto leads with 299 reviews, followed by Emma Cleary Photo & Video at 290.

If budget is the constraint, Bryan Sargent Photography ($1,500 starting) and PSPi Studios ($1,200 starting) both carry 5.0 ratings and 140+ reviews. If you want the most-reviewed names in the city regardless of price, the top five below are hard to argue with.

The Ranked List

All 12 photographers below hold a 5.0 rating on The Knot. Sorted by review count.

Photographer	Starting Price	Knot Rating	Reviews	Notable Badges
AnyaFoto	$649	5.0	299	Award winner (12x)
Emma Cleary Photo & Video	$3,900	5.0	290	Award winner (15x), Responds quickly
Le Image, Inc.	$2,999	5.0	226	Award winner (12x)
Susan Shek Photo + Video	$9,500	5.0	195	Award winner (13x)
Danila and Lana's NYC Wedding Photography	$5,900	5.0	174	Award winner (9x)
JAYLIM STUDIO	$4,500	5.0	173	Award winner (9x)
William Thomas Photography	N/A	5.0	168	Award winner (13x)
Bryan Sargent Photography	$1,500	5.0	167	Award winner (12x), Responds quickly
Amy Rizzuto Photography	$8,500	5.0	166	Award winner (15x)
Evgenia Boudoir Photography	$4,000	5.0	159	Award winner (8x)
PSPi Studios	$1,200	5.0	143	Award winner (9x), Responds quickly
Asher Gardner Photography	$10,000	5.0	140	Award winner (13x)

What You Get at Each Price Point

Under $2,000 — PSPi Studios ($1,200), Bryan Sargent Photography ($1,500)

Two of the highest-reviewed photographers in the city start below $2,000. That's unusual. PSPi Studios offers both photo and video starting at $1,200 — if those are published base rates, that's a strong value for a studio with 143 five-star reviews. Bryan Sargent Photography starts at $1,500 and has 167 reviews at a 5.0. He also responds quickly, which matters when you're in the early stages of inquiring with multiple photographers.

At this price tier in NYC, expect base coverage — likely 6–8 hours, one photographer, digital gallery delivery. Add-ons like albums, second shooters, or engagement sessions will push the total up.

$2,999–$4,500 — Le Image, AnyaFoto (mid), Emma Cleary, JAYLIM, Evgenia Boudoir

Le Image, Inc. starts at $2,999 and carries 226 reviews — the third-highest review count in this entire list. Emma Cleary Photo & Video at $3,900 offers both photo and video, has 290 reviews (second overall), and is a 15x award winner. JAYLIM STUDIO starts at $4,500 with 173 reviews and packages that are described as customizable.

This mid-range tier typically gets you a more refined package structure: edited digital images, coverage of the full day, and photographers with enough volume that their workflow is proven.

$5,900–$8,500 — Danila and Lana ($5,900), Amy Rizzuto ($8,500)

Danila and Lana's approach focuses on candid moments and natural light. 174 reviews at a perfect score. At $5,900 they're priced for couples who want editorial-leaning work and are willing to pay for it.

Amy Rizzuto Photography at $8,500 starting is a 15x award winner — tied with Emma Cleary for the most awards on this list. 166 verified reviews at 5.0. At this level, you're paying for a specific aesthetic and a reputation that's been proven across hundreds of weddings.

$9,500–$10,000+ — Susan Shek Photo + Video, Asher Gardner Photography

Susan Shek Photo + Video starts at $9,500 and offers combined photo and video coverage. 195 reviews, 13 awards. At this price point the package likely includes significant post-production, a second shooter, and video editing — but confirm scope directly.

Asher Gardner Photography starts at $10,000. 140 reviews, 13 awards, pricing by consultation. This is the top of the market on this list. Couples booking at this level are prioritizing a specific portfolio and the photographer's full attention and experience.

What Drives the Price Up

Every photographer on this list has earned a 5.0. Price differences come from other factors:

Photo + video bundling. Emma Cleary ($3,900), PSPi Studios ($1,200), and Susan Shek ($9,500) all include video in their base offering. Solo photo-only studios often price lower at entry.
Award count. Emma Cleary and Amy Rizzuto both carry 15 Knot awards — the highest on this list. More awards generally mean more market demand, which supports higher pricing.
Coverage hours. Most base packages cover 6–8 hours. Full-day coverage (10–12 hours) adds $500–$1,500 at most studios.
Second shooter. A second photographer at a large venue or multi-location NYC wedding adds $300–$800 depending on the studio.
Albums. Printed album production adds $800–$2,500 depending on size and print quality. Most base packages deliver digital files only.
Engagement session. Standalone sessions run $300–$700 when not bundled. Several studios include them in mid-tier packages.
Turnaround time. Standard delivery is 6–12 weeks. Rush delivery or sneak peeks within days can add fees.

Three Realistic Scenarios

Scenario 1: Small NYC Wedding, Tight Budget — ~$1,200–$1,500

A 50-person ceremony at a Manhattan courthouse or Brooklyn micro-venue. You need 6 hours of coverage, digital gallery, no video. Bryan Sargent Photography or PSPi Studios are the two strongest options at this tier — both hold 5.0 ratings with 143–167 reviews. PSPi adds video capability if that's in scope. Expect to pay $1,200–$1,500 for the base package and $300–$500 more if you add an engagement session.

Total realistic spend: $1,500–$2,000

Scenario 2: Full-Day Wedding, Mid-Range — ~$3,900–$5,900

A 150-person wedding at a Manhattan venue — ceremony, cocktail hour, reception, full-day coverage. You want photography only (handling video separately) or a bundled package. Emma Cleary Photo & Video at $3,900 offers both in one contract and has the second-highest review count on this list. If you want photo-only at this range, Le Image, Inc. starts at $2,999 with 226 reviews.

Budget for base package + album + engagement session: $4,500–$7,000

Scenario 3: Premium Wedding, Editorial Style — $8,500–$10,000+

A 200-person wedding at a venue like The Plaza, The Glasshouses, or a Hudson Valley estate. You want a portfolio you've seen and loved, full-day coverage, video, and an album. Amy Rizzuto Photography ($8,500 starting, 15x award winner) and Susan Shek Photo + Video ($9,500 starting, photo + video bundled) are both positioned here. Asher Gardner Photography at $10,000+ is for couples who want the photographer's name on the work and are booking 12–18 months out.

Total realistic spend with add-ons: $10,000–$15,000

How to Find the Right Photographer

Set your budget before you look at portfolios. It's easier to fall in love with a $10,000 photographer when you have a $4,000 budget than to work backwards. Know the number first.
Prioritize review volume, not just score. Every photographer on this list has a 5.0. The difference between 140 reviews and 299 reviews is meaningful — more reviews means more weddings, more varied conditions, and a more proven process.
Check what's actually included at the starting price. "Starting at $X" rarely means full-day coverage. Ask for the package breakdown before you schedule a call.
Ask to see a full gallery from a single wedding, not just highlights. Highlight reels show the best 30 shots. A full gallery shows how they handle low light, reception chaos, and awkward family formals.
Confirm availability for your date immediately. The top photographers on this list book 12–18 months out. If you're 6 months from your wedding, confirm before investing time in a consultation.
Request a contract review before signing. Confirm: delivery timeline, what happens if the photographer is sick, raw file policy, and copyright terms.

Browse all NYC wedding photographers to compare more profiles, starting prices, and styles side by side.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a top-rated NYC wedding photographer cost?

Based on the 12 photographers in our database who hold a 5.0 Knot rating with 140+ reviews, starting prices range from $649 (AnyaFoto) to $10,000+ (Asher Gardner Photography). The median starting price across this group is approximately $4,200. Final spend after add-ons — album, engagement session, second shooter — typically runs 20–40% above the base package price.

Is a 5.0 Knot rating actually meaningful?

It's a useful signal when paired with volume. A 5.0 across 10 reviews is easy to manufacture. A 5.0 across 167 reviews (Bryan Sargent) or 299 reviews (AnyaFoto) is harder to fake and reflects consistent performance across many real weddings. Use rating + review count together, not rating alone.

What's the difference between photographers who include video and those who don't?

Emma Cleary Photo & Video, PSPi Studios, and Susan Shek Photo + Video all bundle video into their packages. Bundled photo + video is typically 20–30% cheaper than booking the two separately. The tradeoff is that a specialist videographer hired independently will likely have a stronger video portfolio than a studio that does both.

How far in advance should I book an NYC wedding photographer?

For weddings at popular venues — particularly in Manhattan and Brooklyn — 12 months is standard. The highest-reviewed photographers on this list (AnyaFoto, Emma Cleary, Le Image) are frequently booked 12–18 months out for peak season dates (May–June, September–October). If your date is under 6 months away, inquire quickly and have a backup option ready.

Do NYC wedding photographers charge travel fees for weddings outside the city?

Most do. Standard practice is no travel fee within the five boroughs, with fees kicking in for Hudson Valley, Hamptons, New Jersey, or destination weddings. Typical structure: a flat fee of $150–$500 for regional travel, or mileage-based pricing beyond a set radius. Confirm this in the initial inquiry — it's rarely included in the published starting price.

Data sourced from The Knot and The Blu List vendor database. Starting prices reflect published base rates as of May 2026 and are subject to change. William Thomas Photography does not publish pricing — contact directly for a quote.