WHAT EXACTLY DOES IT MEAN TO ELOPE? If you look up the definition of “elope” in the Merriam-Webster dictionary , you’ll find a plethora of meanings making it quite clear how polarizing the word has become, and how it has transformed and evolved with the passage of time and...Read more
Virginia Wedding Photographers
Virginia Wedding Photographers
Our Virginia photographers also provide documentary-style coverage in: Norfolk, Chesapeake, Richmond, Hampton, Roanoke, Portsmouth, Arlington, Williamsburg, Luray, and Leesburg
Virginia Wedding Photography, Engagement Photo Sessions + Elopements
Intimate Wedding Photography in Virginia - Capturing the Joy of Small Celebrations - Discover the best Virginia photographers specializing in intimate marriages. Couples are embracing the trend of smaller, more meaningful celebrations. Let our talented photographers capture the joy and intimacy of your wedding day.
By planning a simple Virginia elopement, couples are able to stay present in the moment and fully absorb the impact of their wedding day. Given the fact that many couples feel more natural and at ease in intimate settings, it's no surprise that some of the most breathtaking wedding images come from elopements.
The WPJA has an abundance of top-ranked, Virginia documentary wedding photographers available right now who understand that some weddings and elopements can’t wait. Find yours today!
Recent WPJA WedElope Story Awards
Virginia Photographers for Large or Small Weddings
Shooting an elopement or small Virginia wedding event is a wedding photojournalist’s dream: a fairly open schedule with lots of breathing space for creativity – it’s just the photographer, the couple, the officiant, and perhaps a few select companions.
United States WPJA members are ready to document any small, themed, DIY - do it yourself, or elopement wedding, even if it is a Monday-Thursday ceremony. Search for the “Can Shoot Weddings on Short Notice!” message on the listings below.
View Award-Winning Pictures from Virginia Wedding Venues
35 Virginia Wedding Photographers...
Brittany Diliberto is an East Coast USA-based photographer capturing spectacular moments with creative, artistic, and inspirational angles. Drawing from a background in professional lighting design, Brittany imprints emotion in her work.
4250 (USD)
Xiaoqi Li is a destination wedding photographer who is dedicated to capturing the genuine and meaningful moments of couples' special days. With a deep appreciation for the importance of photographs in preserving memories, she aims to provide peace of mind to her...
0 (USD)
In a journalistic style, USA-based wedding photographer Johnny Shryock has been recognized as a visual storyteller, capturing incredible moments since his own brother's wedding a decade ago. Through his unique approach, he builds a connection with couples, putting them...
4250 (USD)
With a passion for storytelling through images, Megan Rei is a documentary wedding photographer based in the Washington metropolitan area. Combining her experience in dog photography with her love for traveling, Megan strives to create a visual narrative that captures...
4000 (USD)
Mike Kropf is a native Charlottesvillian and passionate wedding photographer. Fueled by his love of camping and exploring, Mike discovered his passion for preserving memories through artful photography in the Middle East.
3000 (USD)
Anastasiia Polyakov's documentary style, paired with her artistic eye, enables her to beautifully capture the essence of existence through wedding photography, memorializing moments with compassion and expression.
3500 (USD)
Lauren Barkume is a Washington Metro Area wedding photographer with a passion for nature, travel and joy. She has a unique photographic style, creating beautiful images with soul and story. Lauren believes in helping people feel seen and empowering them to be their true...
4990 (USD)
Sarah Sta Ana is a wedding photojournalist in the Washington Metropolitan Area. With a passion for storytelling, she captures raw, pure, and beautiful moments. Her background in non-profits has shaped her approach to photography, and she continually hones her skills in...
1800 (USD)
Heather Hughes Ostermaier, a veteran Virginia wedding photojournalist, captures moments with her own style. With 8 years of experience, Heather and her husband Rob bring their expertise in photojournalism to beautifully document weddings.
2999 (USD)
Emie McGee is a Lynchburg, USA-based wedding photographer, specializing in creating timeless photos and developing a unique editing style inspired by film photography. With photo experience since 2018, she is here to make your wedding day stress-free.
3200 (USD)
Wes Shinn is a wedding photographer who has served for a decade as a military photojournalist, capturing major national disasters. His skill for capturing details and stories in an impactful way translates into awe-inspiring memorials of your wedding day.
3400 (USD)
Amber is a highly acclaimed wedding photographer based in Richmond, Virginia. With over ten years of experience in capturing beautiful wedding moments, her work has been featured in top wedding publications. Amber specializes in weddings in the greater Virginian area and...
4750 (USD)
Michael Freas is a photojournalistic wedding photographer. He puts the focus on your unique relationship, honoring all of those present. His commitment to stress-free joy, allowing couples to celebrate to the fullest, has made him one of the most reputable wedding...
Michael Freas
Asheville in North Carolina, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.3800 (USD)
Neil Thurston is a wedding photojournalist who specializes in capturing the raw, candid moments of a couple's big day. With a background in action sports photography and extensive international experience, Neil has honed his journalistic style to create unique and...
Neil Thurston
Nags Head in North Carolina, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.500/hour (USD)
Christine Hochkeppel, a seasoned New England wedding photojournalist, has a decade of experience capturing weddings and has contributed to renowned publications like Worcester Telegram & Gazette, Cape Cod Times, and the Boston Globe.
Christine Hochkeppel
Osterville in Massachusetts, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.3675 (USD)
Kenneth Clapp takes a documentary approach to wedding photography, focusing on storytelling through his visuals. With a keen eye for capturing emotions and moments, he crafts stunning images that truly reflect the essence of the couple's big day.
Kenneth Clapp
Baltimore in Maryland, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.3000 (USD)
As a skilled wedding photojournalist, Song Johns, the creative genius behind Blooming Dreams Photo, specializes in capturing the intimate and authentic moments of couples and families.
Song Johns
Charlotte in North Carolina, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.2900 (USD)
Lacey Butler, an experienced wedding photographer with a strong background in traditional photography, studio lighting, and English literature, has documented over 400 weddings. She takes a documentary approach to storytelling, aiming to capture authentic, heartfelt moments...
Lacey Butler
Asheville in North Carolina, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.2000 (USD)
With a background in art history and photography, Matt Kolf has established himself as a reputable documentary wedding photographer, renowned for his ability to document Catholic weddings in Spain and on the East Coast.
Matt Kolf
Washington DC in District Of Columbia, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.3500 (USD)
Natasha Lamalle is an honest story telling wedding photographer with fifteen years of experience as a journalist. Her keen ability to observe and capture the authentic and often fleeting moments of love, coupled with her trained eye and subtle approach to photography make...
Natasha Lamalle
Washington DC in District Of Columbia, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.4000 (USD)
Ken Pak is a Metro Capital DC area wedding photographer who captures the most natural once in a lifetime moments through his lenses. With unmatched creativity, dedication, and a professional attitude, he freezes wedding moments and makes them as beautiful as the couple...
Ken Pak
Washington DC in District Of Columbia, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.3900 (USD)
Morgan O'Neil is a visual storyteller who expertly captures authentic and candid moments in vibrant coastal wedding photos. With 8 years of wedding experience, she also enjoys taking film photos in her free time and has a passion for boating, skiing, and live music.
Morgan O'Neil
Baltimore in Maryland, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.4800 (USD)
Using a journalistic approach, Breanna Shaw captures the essence of love and connection in her photography, making it her life's mission to share these moments with her clients.
Breanna Shaw
Reisterstown in Maryland, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.3850 (USD)
Andrew Morrell is a professional wedding photographer with a unique perspective. He has his own style, blending art and technology with his abiding love of music, and bringing an element of improvisation to the weddings and elopements he shoots.
Andrew Morrell
Cleveland in Ohio, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.3600 (USD)
Colleen Stepanian, a USA wedding photographer, approaches her work with a documentary approach, combining storytelling and visual elements. She believes in capturing the essence of human connection, relationships, and vulnerability, with the responsibility to preserve...
Colleen Stepanian
Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.4800 (USD)
Traveling wedding photographer, Anji Martin, has been documenting special moments since childhood. With a passion for capturing moments for people, Anji now specializes in wedding and elopement photography, primarily serving couples in the Washington, DC, area but available...
Anji Martin
Washington in District Of Columbia, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.4450 (USD)
In her own creative style, Mary Kate McKenna, a wedding photojournalist with 13 years of experience, captures the genuine moments that unfold during small weddings, courthouse weddings, and destination micro weddings, celebrating the union between two people.
Mary Kate McKenna
Frederick in Maryland, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.2500 (USD)
Ryan Rayburn, a seasoned wedding photojournalist, utilizes his journalistic style and expertise honed from nine years in the newspaper industry to capture candid moments. With a keen eye for emotions and an unobtrusive approach, Ryan ensures couples have a visual chronicle...
Ryan Rayburn
Bethesda in Maryland, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.2200 (USD)
In a journalistic style, Dan Harris, a wedding photojournalist, expertly captures the fleeting moments of love and joy that occur during weddings. His extensive portfolio showcases the unforgettable memories he has captured, and he has been recognized with numerous...
Dan Harris
Jacksonville in Florida, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.400/hour (USD)
Brian Mullins is a North Carolina wedding photographer based in Raleigh. With a background in photography, cinematography, and concert lighting, Brian's unique visual arts experience has shaped his photography style and vision. He creates beautiful imagery that...
Brian Mullins
Apex in North Carolina, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.3499 (USD)
Washington, D.C. native Susannah Stevens, an MA graduate in multimedia journalism from the Corcoran College of Art & Design, specializes in intimate weddings, micro-weddings, and elopements. Offering short-notice availability, she prioritizes meaningful moments. With an...
Susannah Stevens
Washington DC in District Of Columbia, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.1100 (USD)
Annalee Durland-Jones is a wedding, travel, and adventure photographer based in New England. She discovered her passion for photography in high school and has been capturing authentic and sentimental moments ever since.
Annalee Durland-Jones
Boston in Massachusetts, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.6000 (USD)
Tom Waldenberg, a documentary wedding photographer hailing from the Eastern U.S., combines his artistic flair and passion for storytelling to immortalize the genuine emotions of wedding couples.
Tom Waldenberg
Raleigh in North Carolina, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.3000 (USD)
Maryland-based photographer Aira Hickman, a mother and Navy veteran's wife, skillfully captures genuine moments with an organic approach. Passionate since picking up her first camera, she prioritizes authenticity, aiming to make clients feel confident and loved.
Aira Hickman
Gambrills in Maryland, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.880 (USD)
Map of Wedding Photojournalists Serving Virginia Couples
Wedding Venue Pictures by Virginia Wedding Photographers
Please select a venue below to view all associated contest-winning Virginia wedding photos.
Virginia Wedding, Elopement and Engagement Images by WPJA Photographers
Below are some Virginia wedding photography samples from the world’s best wedding photographers of the WPJA. Some of these Virginia marriage pictures might be artistic portraits, details, or documentary-style images that have come from getting ready sessions, wedding ceremonies, reception venues, or Virginia engagement portrait sessions with couples.
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Searches Related to Virginia Wedding Photography Vendors
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How can couples find Virginia photographers for pre-wedding engagement portraits?
A: The WPJA issues Diamond Awards for Virginia wedding photographers to showcase their best engagement photography work. These awards are given to photographers who prove that they have an ability to be creative, artistic, and intuitive while working on-location with couples who are newly engaged.
Q: Who are the best Virginia wedding photographers for small elopements?
A: The WPJA is proud to have some of the top Virginia documentary wedding photographers for elopements. Our members are able to submit WedElope Stories that take you step-by-step, via a 9 image picture story, through the unique and moving elopements that take place around the world.
Q: Can a wedding photojournalist create artistic portraits on my Virginia wedding day?
A: While wedding photojournalists strive to capture candid moments on the wedding day, our photographers also are skilled artists who can compose powerful portraits. If you have a specific vision of what types of images you want from your wedding day, look at the top-ranked Virginia wedding photographers who have earned Artistic Guild awards for portrait and detail images.
WPJA Communiqué: Featured Wedding Photography Articles
While some of us were fortunate enough to be born as extroverts, not everyone feels the same way. For a good chunk of the population, any number of the typical wedding day traditions can inspire anxiety and existential dread. This day is all about you, yes, but does that...Read more
Traditionally speaking, often times it is the couple’s families who help pay for their wedding. However, unfortunately that’s just not possible for everyone, especially these days when the cost of weddings can quickly and easily get out of control. Some couples find...Read more
RAVES, REVIEWS, AND Virginia WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER RECOMMENDATIONS
Teri and Michael
Photo by Neil Thurston
Thank you so incredibly much for everything! Everyone that sees our pictures says WOW! and that we just radiate happiness, and that is the perfect compliment because that's exactly how we felt and you captured it perfectly! We will cherish these photos forever. Hopefully our paths cross again one day, perhaps for family photos!
Corley & Don
Photo by Neil Thurston
Hi Neil and Lisa, Don and I are beyond thrilled with our pictures! The quality, detail, and beauty of the pictures is just so obvious. Aside from all those things, we love that you captured the sequence of events in a photojournalistic fashion. I've gotten comments from many of my friends/family that these are the best pictures they have ever seen, and of course we are just so proud that they are our pictures. I also have to chuckle a little because you guys were such an organized but chill vendor and as a project manager myself, I know how much preparation you both did behind the scenes to make that work. We couldn't be any happier and if you ever need a reference - email, phone, whatever - please do not hesitate to call.
Anna & Justin
Photo by Xiaoqi Li
Xiaoqi: We wanted to thank you for your exceptional service especially how challenging 2020 turned out to be. Your small trinkets (the unexpected cookies!) made getting married a delightful process. We were on the fence about having a wedding and now that we have done it, we are so glad we made the choice to proceed. You were an enormous part of our pleasant, beautiful, amazing experience. Thank you. Love, Anna & Justin
WPJA contest judges have been recognized by their industry peers, winning top awards as staff picture editors, staff photojournalists, and newsroom mentors while working for these and other leading publications and journalism organizations.
