California - Northern Wedding Photographers

California - Northern Wedding Photographers

Our California - Northern photographers also provide documentary-style coverage in: Santa Clara, Oakland, Shasta Lake, Napa, Sonoma, Lake Tahoe, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Jose, Alameda, Vallejo, Sunnyvale, Mendocino, Woodside, San Mateo County, and the San Francisco Peninsula

California - Northern Wedding Photography, Engagement Photo Sessions + Elopements

Intimate Wedding Photography in California - Northern - Capturing the Joy of Small Celebrations - Discover the best California - Northern 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 California - Northern 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, California - Northern documentary wedding photographers available right now who understand that some weddings and elopements can’t wait. Find yours today!

Recent WPJA WedElope Story Awards

California - Northern Photographers for Large or Small Weddings

Shooting an elopement or small California - Northern 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 themed, secret, courthouse, 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.

51 California - Northern Wedding Photographers...

Studio portrait of wedding photographer Tanushree Vaidya

Tanushree Vaidya is a traveling destination wedding photographer with experiences across 14 countries, combining previous skills in commerce, hair artistry, portrait photography, and graphic design.

Tanushree Vaidya

Hayward in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
4000 (USD)
Adventure weddings and elopement photography by Lauren Lindley

Lauren Lindley, an elopement photographer, specializes in capturing unforgettable moments. With her ability to make people feel at ease in front of the lens, she excels in creating artistic wedding portraits and engagement portraits. Lauren brings her diverse skillset and...

Lauren Lindley

South Lake Tahoe in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
4200 (USD)
Weddings by Chris Shum, Life Photographer

Chris Shum is a wedding, engagement, lifestyle, and family photographer with a lifelong passion for art. With his artistic eye and unobstructive approach, Chris captures the beauty and joy of weddings, creating elegant, storytelling photographs that couples can treasure...

Chris Shum

Sunnyvale in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
4500 (USD)
Capture beautiful moments on your special day with the talented wedding photographer Chris Werner in Northern California's stunning Lake Tahoe.

With over 25 years of professional experience, Chris Werner specializes in wedding photography, capturing the unique love and personalities of engaged couples. He began studying black and white film in 1994 and developed a fine art approach to photography over the years,...

Chris Werner

Truckee in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
3850 (USD)
Adventure wedding and elopement photography by Kimmi Cranes

Kimmi Cranes is a California and Nevada wedding photojournalist and portrait photographer with a Bachelor of Fine Art degree from UC Santa Cruz, specializing in elopements. With over 10 years of professional experience, she is skilled at capturing the essence and emotions...

Kimmi Cranes

South Lake Tahoe in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
2000 (USD)
Northern CA, Wedding Photography by Joyce Perlman, serving Carmel and Big Sur

Joyce Perlman is a US-based wedding photographer. She is known for her sophisticated blend of contemporary portraiture and documentary-style images. She also has an extensive background in fine art and visual design.

Joyce Perlman

San Francisco in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
4500 (USD)
Studio portrait of San Jose wedding photographer Eric Le of the Northern California WPJA

San Jose wedding photojournalist and engagement portrait photographer Eric Le is skilled in internet marketing and analytics, bringing a unique perspective to his work. With over a decade of experience, Eric has been capturing genuine emotions in wedding photos since 2007.

Eric Le

San Jose in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
3000 (USD)
CA Engagemen, Wedding and Elopement Photography by Tyler Vu

Tyler Vu is a skilled Northern California wedding photojournalist, specializing in elopements and artistic portraits. With a background in graphic design, his simple philosophy centers around capturing life as it unfolds, emphasizing meaningful moments and exquisite...

Tyler Vu

San Jose in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
4000 (USD)
Adventure marriage images by Nicky Byrnes of Nemus Wedding Photography

Nicky Byrnes is an elopement photographer and a documentary wedding photographer with a photojournalism degree. Her work has been published in print and online magazines. An outdoors enthusiast, she loves music, books, and skiing, and has two rescue dogs.

Nicky Byrnes

Carnelian Bay in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
3900 (USD)
Kevin Sawyer for Elopements and Weddings and Engagement Photography

Kevin Sawyer is an award-winning elopement photographer, specializing in creating artful and photojournalistic images of weddings. He is passionate about capturing unforgettable moments and is particularly skilled in destination wedding photography.

Kevin Sawyer

Lake Tahoe in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
3000 (USD)
San Jose wedding and elopement photography by Jipeng Han of Northern California

Based in San Jose, CA, Jipeng Han is an experienced wedding photojournalist with a talent for capturing and documenting storytelling moments.

Jipeng Han

San Jose in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
1200 (USD)
Northern California wedding photography by Drew Bird - Creative Storytelling

Drew Bird is a San Francisco Bay Area-based wedding photographer with years of experience. His focus is on telling stories through photographs, capturing authentic and unscripted expressions of beauty, love and connection.

Drew Bird

Oakland in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
3500 (USD)

Douglas Despres, a wedding photojournalist with a background in photojournalism, has captured over 600 events since 2002. With a global photography experience, he specializes in comfortable connections with guests, focusing on documentary-style shots.

Douglas Despres

Alameda in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
750/hour (USD)

Dennis Viera is an award-winning international wedding photographer. With a nearly decade-long background in photojournalism, Dennis's photography career began in high school. His passion for documenting life has taken him and his family around the world.

Dennis Viera

Rohnert Park in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
5000 (USD)
Wedding and Elopement Photographer Tanarak Visessonchoke

Tanarak, an award-winning wedding photographer with 12 years of experience, serves San Francisco, Bay area, & beyond. Tanarak captures unique love stories with anticipation, excitement, and joy, celebrating universal love in all its forms. Tanarak's passion lies in...

Tanarak Visessonchoke

San Francisco in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
4500 (USD)
Edeelin Labra, Northern CA wedding photography

Edeelin Labra, a wedding photojournalist based in Northern California, has honed her photography skills over the years. With a deep love for art, she transforms simple moments into cherished memories. Labra's passion for capturing emotions and preserving them for...

Edeelin Labra

Vallejo in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
2000 (USD)
Tara Arrowood, Wedding Photographer

Tara Arrowood, a San Francisco-based wedding photojournalist with over 15 years of experience, excels in capturing candid moments with the perfect lighting and angles. Her photojournalistic style focuses on emotions, details, and the deep connections between people.

Tara Arrowood

San Francisco in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
5500 (USD)

Debra Zeller is a San Francisco wedding photographer renowned for her ability to capture couples' personalities and moments in a relaxed, low-pressure atmosphere. She creates a special rapport with her clients to ensure the best possible results.

Debra Zeller

San Francisco in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
3000 (USD)
Black and White Headshot of elopement, engagement and wedding photographer David Braun

David Braun is an experienced USA-based wedding photographer specializing in photojournalistic wedding photography and outdoor portrait art. With a wide range of freelance experience, David knows how to anticipate and capture the unique and natural moments of a wedding.

David Braun

South Lake Tahoe in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
1250 (USD)
Studio portrait of San Francisco wedding photographer Lisa Stone of the N California Wedding Photojournalist Association.

Lisa Stone is a wedding photographer with a Masters Degree in Photography, specializing in black and white documentary and abstract fine art. With over 300 weddings shot, she enjoys problem-solving and creating art with light. Outside of work, she loves film photography,...

Lisa Stone

San Francisco in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
4500 (USD)
PNW Wedding and Elopement Photography by Brianna Parks

Brianna Parks, an elopement photographer based in the Pacific Northwest, has a knack for capturing unique and personalized elopement experiences. Her love for secret places and breathtaking landscapes led her to specialize in documenting elopements in the stunning...

Brianna Parks

Redding in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
6500 (USD)
Northern California wedding photography by San Jose-based Steve Kpa

San Jose wedding photographer Steve Kpa is a skilled and empathetic storyteller, capturing the essence and emotions of a wedding day. With a background in running his own gym and understanding the importance of individual contexts, Steve has a unique ability to make his...

Steve Kpa

San Jose in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
750 (USD)
California wedding and elopement photographer Annie Bang

As a wedding photojournalist and creative engagement portrait photographer in California, Annie Bang brings a background as a former journalist and Associated Press reporter. With a focus on documenting real moments and emotions, she uses documentary and photojournalistic...

Annie Bang

Los Angeles in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
2500 (USD)
Shaun Baker - Wedding Photographer and Couple Portrait Professional

USA-based Shaun Baker is a wedding photojournalist, engagement portrait photographer, and artistic wedding portrait photographer. He transitioned from video to photography after college and has been capturing weddings since 2009.

Shaun Baker

San Diego in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
2900 (USD)
Engagements, Weddings and Elopement Photographer Lucy Schultz

Lucy Schultz, an artistic wedding photojournalist, creates a relaxed and joyful environment, empowering couples to express their true selves, capturing unforgettable moments with her expertise honed since 2013.

Lucy Schultz

Lakewood in Colorado, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
5900 (USD)
Gretchen Troop Photography Studio for Weddings, Elopements and Portraits

With a Bachelor's degree in Studio Photography, Gretchen Troop excels as a wedding photojournalist. Her talent lies in capturing natural and candid moments, creating memories that last a lifetime.

Gretchen Troop

Boulder in Colorado, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
3000 (USD)
California Couple Portrait Sessions and Wedding Photography by Stephanie Secrest

Based in Central Coast CA, Stephanie Secrest is a wedding and engagement portrait photographer. She holds a Master's in photojournalism and has been recognized for her work in prestigious contests like Pictures of the Year.

Stephanie Secrest

Arroyo Grande in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
3300 (USD)
Wedding and elopement photography by Will Tee - SW Wedding Photo Studio

Will Tee is the co-founder of SW Photo Studio and is a passionate wedding photographer. He has experienced many different cultures across the world. These unique experiences have shaped him as an open-minded person, integrating his creative photography with the lessons life...

Will Tee

Taipei City, TW *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
2000 (USD)
Wedding photography and elopements by Ray Iavasile of Michigan

Ray Anthony Iavasile, a Michigan-based wedding photographer, is highly regarded for his journalistic style, capturing the essence of moments. Ranked as one of the Top 50 wedding photojournalists worldwide, he is the go-to choice for couples in Michigan.

Ray Iavasile

Birmingham in Michigan, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
3000 (USD)
Jerome Pollos Self Portrait, a wedding and elopement photographer of the WPJA

Jerome Pollos is a traveling wedding photographer with a background as a photojournalist in the Navy. After capturing a powerful image of a young boy, he discovered his passion for photography and the impact it can have.

Jerome Pollos

Coeur d'Alene in Idaho, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
2500 (USD)
Pro documentary-style wedding photography by Bradley Hanson

With a background in documentary technique, Bradley Hanson brings a unique storytelling perspective to his photography. Through his keen eye for detail and artistic vision, he captures the essence of each wedding he documents. His work has been featured in magazines and has...

Bradley Hanson

St. Paul in Minnesota, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
5000 (USD)

Logan Westom is a documentary wedding photographer based in Seattle. With a career in professional photography spanning over a decade, Westom has shot for newspapers, couples’ special days, and Taylor Swift concerts...

Logan Westom

Bremerton in Washington, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
4000 (USD)
Engagement Photo Shoots and wedding photography by Darren Hendry

Darren Hendry, an architecture-trained photographer, has spent 7 years capturing unique wedding stories through his natural, emotive, and creative style. Specializing in non-traditional and offbeat weddings, he combines his passion for photography and storytelling to create...

Darren Hendry

Pasadena in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
2500 (USD)

Prior to his photography career, Ron Storer raced on the US Cycling Team earning a Gold Medal in the Pan-Am Games and a Silver Medal in the Olympic Trials. His passion for capturing and preserving wedding moments motivates him to provide couples with unique and special...

Ron Storer

Auburn in Washington, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
2400 (USD)

Gingi Freeman, a passionate traveling wedding photojournalist based in Visalia, CA, specializes in non-intrusive, documentary-style weddings. With a background in art and storytelling, she captures real moments and raw emotions in a way that allows couples to be fully...

Gingi Freeman

Visalia in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
1400 (USD)

Robert Walker is an award-winning and published wedding photographer with over 17 years experience in Texas and California. His photo-journalistic style and professional demeanor have earned him praise from clients. He and his family currently reside in Dallas.

Robert Walker

Dallas in Texas, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
2400 (USD)

Maria Newman is a PNW wedding photojournalist with a background in photojournalism. She discovered her love for wedding photography when a friend asked her to photograph her wedding while she was in school.

Maria Newman

Portland in Oregon, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
2500 (USD)
California Documentary Wedding and Elopement Photography by Gina Clyne

California wedding photographer Gina Clyne specializes in photojournalistic style imagery, capturing formal portraits that reflect couples' personalities and documenting subtle and profound moments of the day with her gentle eye.

Gina Clyne

Los Angeles in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
2100 (USD)
California wedding photography by Jonathan Young

Jonathan Young, a California coast photographer, combines 20 years experience, a photojournalist background, and a keen eye for detail, capturing the joy and emotion of each wedding day.

Jonathan Young

Palos Verdes Estates in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
5500 (USD)
Lifestyle street portrait of Danette Chappell, a Nevada & California wedding photographer

Danette Chappell is a wedding photographer based in NV and CA, with experience shooting weddings professionally since 2008. She started her career as an intern in Chicago and then moved to Las Vegas, where she honed her skills working at a wedding chapel.

Danette Chappell

Reno in Nevada, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
1225 (USD)
Marla Manes, a PNW ADVENTURE ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER in Seattle WA

Seattle-based Marla Manes, skilled in wedding photojournalism and portraiture, integrates values and sustainability. Creates comfort for exceptional photos.

Marla Manes

Seattle in Washington, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
5500 (USD)
Portrait of Katharine Green from Katie Corinne Wedding Photography Studio

Katharine Green, an experienced Colorado wedding photojournalist, has been expertly capturing love-filled moments for over a decade, specializing in wedding, engagement, and proposal photography alongside her associate, Jamie.

Katharine Green

Monument in Colorado, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
3000 (USD)
Travel and destination wedding & elopement photography by Kathryn Cooper

Kathryn Cooper, a wedding photographer based in New York and California, specializes in adventurous and unique celebrations. With a background in travel photography and a love for outdoor activities, she captures personalized moments for diverse couples worldwide.

Kathryn Cooper

Pleasant Valley in New York, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
3600 (USD)
Texas wedding and elopement photography by Kristin Bednarz

Kristin Bednarz is an experienced storyteller wedding photographer skilled in capturing special moments of weddings everywhere. She has photographed over 250+ weddings...

Kristin Bednarz

Slaton in Texas, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
4500 (USD)
Jason Kaczorowski, Destination Wedding Photography - USA

A seasoned documentary wedding photographer, Jason Kaczorowski brings more than 18 years of experience to his craft, adeptly capturing over 650 weddings. His talent lies in creating timeless memories that encapsulate the essence of each relationship.

Jason Kaczorowski

Chicago in Illinois, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
3900 (USD)
Weddings, engagements and elopement photography by Kevin Kienitz

Kevin Kienitz

Aurora in Illinois, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
3000 (USD)
Portrait of Amber Depangher of Sightglass Photography Studio

Amber Depangher is a seasoned wedding photojournalist, expertly documenting love stories for over two decades. From high school hobby to thriving business, Amber and her husband's unique styles make for an unbeatable team.

Amber Depangher

Portland in Oregon, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
500/hour (USD)
Chris Rusanowsky self portrait of a wedding photographer in black and white

With over fourteen years of experience, Chris Rusanowsky is a highly skilled wedding photojournalist. His photographs capture the raw emotions and tell the story of each client's special day, creating memories that last a lifetime.

Chris Rusanowsky

Northlake in Texas, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
2500 (USD)
Lifestyle portrait of Brittany Bender, a San Diego wedding photographer - Southern California WPJA

Brittany Bender is a San Diego-based wedding photographer known for her talent in capturing candid and emotional moments. With a passion for storytelling, Brittany aims to truthfully and artistically portray the unique experiences of each person she photographs.

Brittany Bender

San Diego in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
3000 (USD)
Lifestyle portrait of Evie Felts, a wedding and elopement photographer

Evie Felts, a wedding photographer with 5 years of experience, left teaching to pursue art. She connects with clients worldwide and captures intimate moments. Evie lives in Mancos, Colorado, enjoying outdoor activities when not photographing.

Evie Felts

Mancos in Colorado, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
3000 (USD)
Reno Nevada & Lake Tahoe California Wedding Photography by Rachel Gazes

Wedding photographer and officiant Rachel Gazes, based in Reno/Tahoe, with nearly a decade of experience. Skilled in photography and ceremony officiating, she excels at working with families, pets, and calming nerves on wedding days.

Rachel Gazes

Reno in Nevada, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
2600 (USD)

Map of Wedding Photojournalists Serving California - Northern Couples

California - Northern Wedding, Elopement and Engagement Images by WPJA Photographers

Below are some California - Northern wedding photography samples from the world’s best wedding photographers of the WPJA. Some of these California - Northern marriage pictures might be artistic portraits, details, or documentary-style images that have come from getting ready sessions, wedding ceremonies, reception venues, or California - Northern engagement portrait sessions with couples.

In this engagement portrait, a couple from Palo Alto, CA shares a mesmerizing embrace under a yellow tree, blending urban and natural elements in an artistic shot.
A couple in Los Gatos, CA, shares a warm embrace and small talk by the lake, radiating big smiles in a romantic setting for their engagement portrait session.
Capturing the silhouette of the embracing couple in Santa Cruz, CA, this monochromatic engagement portrait exudes a vintage charm with its black and white tones.
In San Francisco, CA, this engaged couple is captured in a romantic scene by the bay. The serene backdrop adds to the sweetness of their love.
At Everline Resort & Spa in Olympic Valley, California, a bridesmaid's hands delicately cradle the wedding dress, adorned with an inflatable bride sign adorning the wall behind. This whimsical scene captures the anticipation and excitement of the preps.
At Viansa Winery in Sonoma, California, bridesmaids gather around to assist the bride as she slips into her shoes inside the rustic charm of a winery barrel room. This intimate moment exudes camaraderie and support amidst the ambiance of wine country.
Amidst the majestic pines of Mitchells Mountain Meadows in Truckee, California, a girl adds a touch of whimsy to the outdoor reception as she dances gracefully with her parasol. Against the backdrop of nature's beauty, her joyful movements are captured.
A lovely moment between newlyweds as they exchange vows in front of lush greenery at Valley Presbyterian Church in Portola Valley, CA captured on their wedding day.
A black and white close-up shot of a couple exchanging vows at San Francisco City Hall during their wedding day, showcasing their love and commitment.
This beautiful black and white image captures the sweet embrace of a newlywed couple on their wedding day at a private residence in Saratoga, CA, during an outdoor ceremony in a garden setting.
Wedding day moment captured at Saratoga Springs in Saratoga, CA, showcasing a beautiful shot filled with loving gazes towards many persons.
A beautiful portrait captured at Garre' Vineyard & Winery in Livermore, CA, where a newlywed couple gazes lovingly at each other against a breathtaking sunset.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can couples find reviews of California - Northern wedding photographers?
A: We call them Client Letters. At the WPJA, we decided more than 20 years ago to avoid incorporating those third-person testimonials and endorsements that are found all too often in advertisements. Instead, we elevated our listings with the use of Client Letters, which represent the actual words and feelings of the clients who booked those California - Northern wedding photographers for their own wedding.
Q: Can a wedding photojournalist create artistic portraits on my California - Northern 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 California - Northern wedding photographers who have earned Artistic Guild awards for portrait and detail images.
Q: How can couples find California - Northern photographers for pre-wedding engagement portraits?
A: The WPJA issues Diamond Awards for California - Northern 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.
WPJA Communiqué: Featured Wedding Photography Articles
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
While some people live for the hustle and bustle of a big wedding with extravagant décor and an impossibly long guest list, others find these kinds of weddings to be too much hoopla, preferring instead something simpler and quieter, allowing for more intimacy between them...Read more
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

RAVES, REVIEWS, AND California - Northern WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER RECOMMENDATIONS

Edgewood at Tahoe wedding ceremony photography

LAURA AND SID

Photo by David Braun

Hi David, You were so great to work with and the pictures are really stunning. We will leave you a review ASAP, hoping to get to it this weekend! Thank you for everything!

Lynn & Greg

Photo by Debra Zeller

We just went through the pictures and we are absolutely thrilled! You have an amazing eye - the pictures are aesthetically beautiful, interesting and really captured the event perfectly. I knew you were good, and I knew my choice was good - but now I think my choice was positively inspired. There are literally too many good pictures: we don't know which ones to get prints of! Thank you so much for the incredible craftsmanship; you're a real artist.

Sarah + Stephen

Photo by Drew Bird

Hey Drew - We went through all the pics last night and I just wanted to tell you again how awesome they are! You really captured some amazing moments and we're forever grateful! I was 3/4 through them and crying lol. It's as if we were replaying a story of the day. SO AMAZING! THANK YOU!!! We've shared the link with some of our guests and they are all raving about them as well! A thousand thanks, Sarah and Stephen