🚨 Warning: How to Protect Yourself from Fake Portfolios and AI-Generated Images
Choosing your wedding photographer is one of the most important decisions you’ll make during your wedding planning journey. But with the rise of AI-generated wedding photos and fake portfolios, it’s more important than ever to know what to look out for.
Some people are now building fake portfolios using AI-generated wedding photos and offering low prices.
It might look like a great deal… but after the wedding, there’s often big disappointment. Not just with the photos – but also realising you missed your whole drinks reception with someone who looked experienced online, but wasn’t.
Be careful – AI can fake a portfolio, but it can’t replace real experience on a wedding day.
ONLY FAKE AI-CREATED WEDDING PHOTOS IN THIS POST – DONE IN A FEW CLICKS!
Can you believe these aren’t real?
AI is getting so good – honestly, in a few months, even I might struggle to tell what’s real and what’s not!
It’s incredible (and a little scary) how fast things are moving.
And just to be clear – I’m not against AI at all! I actually use it for loads of helpful, automated tasks behind the scenes.
But these images? All are generated with clever prompts and a few clicks.
No real weddings, no real couples – just AI at work!

Why You Need to Be Careful When Choosing a Wedding Photographer – FAKE PORTFOLIOS!
A beautiful portfolio at a low price might sound like a dream combo, but beware. We’re starting to see AI-generated images being used by some venues and even so-called wedding photographers to build fake portfolios. These portfolios often contain images that were never taken at real weddings.
Without proper research, couples risk hiring someone who can’t deliver the real, authentic moments of a wedding day.


💔 Real Stories from Real Couples
1. Glossy Portfolio, Disappointing Gallery
“We loved their online photos. But when we got our wedding gallery, so many moments were missed… especially the ones with family. Some of the shots were even unflattering. We were heartbroken.”
— Shared on Reddit
This bride regretted choosing a photographer based on their curated portfolio. The full gallery didn’t reflect the same standard — a clear sign the images may have been styled shoots or even AI-generated content.
2. Pinterest-Perfect… Until Reality Hit
“We found out the photos in their portfolio weren’t even theirs. Some were taken from Pinterest. Our actual photos were blurry and underexposed. It was a disaster.”
— Reported by Fstoppers
This couple fell victim to stolen or AI-generated photos. Sadly, their wedding memories were poorly captured, and there was no redo.
🏰 Why Your Photographer Must Know the Wedding Venue
A seasoned photographer who knows your venue well will know exactly where the best photo spots are — and when the light hits just right.
📍 Here’s why it matters:
- They can plan for tricky lighting conditions, like dark churches or bright conservatories.
- They’ll know secret photo locations nearby — that most people miss.
- They can help keep the timeline flowing smoothly by knowing the layout.
- They can quickly adjust plans if it rains or something unexpected happens.
Bonus tip: Always ask your photographer if they’ve worked at your venue before!
If they have, ask to see a full gallery from that venue – not just a few highlights. It’ll give you a much better idea of what to expect across the whole day, in all kinds of lighting and weather.
👉 For the privacy of my couples, I don’t share full gallery links, but I’m always happy to hop on a quick Zoom call and walk you through a full day of photos online. It’s a great way to chat, ask questions, and see exactly how your venue photographs from morning to night.
⚠️ AI-Generated Wedding Photos: What’s the Big Deal?
AI tools can now generate highly realistic images, from dreamy ceremony setups to golden hour portraits that never actually happened. These images are sometimes used to build fake portfolios, especially by photographers without experience.
While these photos might look amazing online, the reality is that AI can’t replace a skilled photographer who can adapt to a live wedding environment.


🎓 The Importance of Experience
An experienced wedding photographer brings so much more than just a camera.
✅ Real-World Wedding Challenges They Know How to Handle:
- Managing tight schedules and keeping things on track
- Working with natural and artificial lighting
- Navigating unexpected weather
- Helping couples and families feel relaxed and confident on camera
- Capturing real moments — not just posed ones
Someone who relies on AI or faked imagery may struggle with these on-the-day pressures.
🔐 How to Protect Yourself from Fake Portfolios
Here are some practical steps you can take to avoid disappointment:
📷 1. Ask for Full Wedding Galleries
Don’t settle for a highlight reel. Request at least two or three full galleries from recent weddings to get a better sense of their consistency and style throughout a full day.
💬 2. Talk to Other Wedding Vendors
Makeup artists, hairstylists, and wedding planners often work alongside photographers. Ask them for honest feedback about who they’ve worked with and who they recommend.
💸 3. Beware of Too-Good-To-Be-True Prices
Extremely low prices for wedding photographers can be a sign of inexperience — or worse, deception. While everyone has a budget, remember: these are your lifelong memories.
🕵️ 4. Do a Reverse Image Search
Want to double-check if an image is real? Use Google Reverse Image Search or tools like TinEye to see if the photos appear on other websites or stock image platforms. Documentary Wedding Photography
🎯 Final Thoughts: Your Memories Deserve More Than AI
Your wedding deserves to be remembered through real, heartfelt photography, not artificially created scenes. Don’t get fooled by fake portfolios or AI-generated perfection. Instead:
- Prioritise experience
- Ask the right questions
- Make sure they know your venue
- Trust your instincts
And most of all — choose a photographer who makes you feel comfortable, seen, and supported throughout your day.
🔗 Helpful Resources
- How to Choose a Wedding Photographer – DKPHOTO Guide
- Wedding Albums Ireland – DKPHOTO
- One Fab Day – Avoiding Wedding Scams