San Francisco Wedding Photographers

San Francisco Wedding Photographers

Our San Francisco photographers also provide documentary-style coverage in: Oakland, Fremont, Santa Rosa, Hayward, Sunnyvale, Concord, Santa Clara, Vallejo

San Francisco Wedding Photography, Engagement Photo Sessions + Elopements

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

Recent WPJA WedElope Story Awards

San Francisco Photographers for Large or Small Weddings

Shooting an elopement or small San Francisco 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.

California - Northern WPJA members are ready to document any quick, civil ceremony, small, 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.

22 San Francisco Wedding Photographers...

Studio portrait of wedding photographer Tanushree Vaidya

Tanushree Vaidya is a talented wedding photojournalist and artistic portrait photographer. With a background in commerce, hair artistry, portrait photography, and graphic design, she brings a unique perspective to her work. Having experienced shooting across 14 countries,...

Tanushree Vaidya

Hayward in California, US *Now booking San Francisco weddings.
4000 (USD)
Weddings by Chris Shum, Life Photographer

Chris Shum has been passionate about art since he was a young boy. At age 15, he received his first camera and has been the designated photographer ever since. Chris became a professional photographer in 2007 and provides beautiful, story-telling photography of destination...

Chris Shum

Sunnyvale in California, US *Now booking San Francisco weddings.
4500 (USD)
Northern CA, Wedding Photography by Joyce Perlman, serving Carmel and Big Sur

Joyce Perlman, an elopement photographer, is a N. CA based wedding photojournalist and engagement portrait photographer. With a background in fine art and visual design, she is known for her sophisticated blend of contemporary portraiture and documentary-style images.

4500 (USD)
Northern California wedding photography by Drew Bird - Creative Storytelling

Drew Bird, a skilled wedding photographer with years of experience, specializes in capturing authentic and unscripted beauty, love, and connection through photographs. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, he excels in telling stories through his lens.

Drew Bird

Oakland in California, US *Now booking San Francisco weddings.
3500 (USD)

Douglas Despres is a wedding photographer who has photographed over 600 events since 2002. With a background in photojournalism and experience shooting worldwide, Doug specializes in documentary-style shots with an emphasis on comfortable connections with family and guests.

Douglas Despres

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

Dennis Viera, an award-winning wedding photojournalist, holds almost a decade of experience in this field. Starting his photography career in high school, he has traveled globally with his family to capture life's moments.

Dennis Viera

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

Tanarak is an award-winning wedding photographer with twelve years of experience serving San Francisco, Bay area, & beyond. He captures unique love stories with anticipation, excitement, and joy. Tanarak believes in celebrating love in all its forms, regardless of...

4500 (USD)
Edeelin Labra, Northern CA wedding photography

Northern California wedding photographer Edeelin Labra has a deep love for photography that began long ago. What began as a hobby has become a passionate pursuit for many years. Taking pictures of family and friends was much more than just snapping a shutter - it was...

Edeelin Labra

Vallejo in California, US *Now booking San Francisco 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.

5500 (USD)

Debra Zeller, a renowned wedding photojournalist from Northern California, specializes in capturing couples' moments in a relaxed, low-pressure atmosphere. With her ability to create a special rapport, she ensures the best possible results for her clients. Based in San...

3000 (USD)
California wedding and elopement photographer Annie Bang

California wedding photojournalist and creative engagement portrait photographer Annie Bang is a former journalist and Associated Press reporter. With a focus on capturing real moments and emotions, she uses documentary and photojournalistic photography to create timeless...

Annie Bang

Los Angeles in California, US *Now booking San Francisco weddings.
2500 (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 San Francisco weddings.
3300 (USD)
Adventure weddings and elopement photography by Lauren Lindley

Lauren Lindley specializes in elopement photography, making clients feel comfortable in front of her lens. She is a talented wedding photojournalist and artistic portrait photographer, capturing unforgettable moments with her skill and creativity.

Lauren Lindley

South Lake Tahoe in California, US *Now booking San Francisco weddings.
4200 (USD)
Adventure wedding and elopement photography by Kimmi Cranes

Based in Lake Tahoe, California and Nevada, Kimmi Cranes is a wedding photojournalist and portrait photographer, specializing in elopements. With a decade of professional experience and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from UC Santa Cruz, she expertly captures the emotions...

Kimmi Cranes

South Lake Tahoe in California, US *Now booking San Francisco weddings.
2000 (USD)
CA Engagemen, Wedding and Elopement Photography by Tyler Vu

Northern California wedding photographer, Tyler Vu, combines a background in graphics design with a simple philosophy to capture life as it happens. With a keen eye for composition and a focus on capturing meaningful moments, Tyler thrives on immortalizing the details and...

Tyler Vu

San Jose in California, US *Now booking San Francisco weddings.
4000 (USD)
Jerome Pollos Self Portrait, a wedding and elopement photographer of the WPJA

Jerome is a destination wedding photographer who has a background as a photojournalist in the Navy. With his journalistic style, he captures beautiful moments in an unobtrusive manner, offering an authentic experience for his clients.

Jerome Pollos

Coeur d'Alene in Idaho, US *Now booking San Francisco weddings.
2500 (USD)

Based in Visalia, CA, Gingi Freeman is a skilled wedding photojournalist who specializes in non-intrusive, documentary-style photography. With a background in art and storytelling, she captures real moments and raw emotions, allowing couples to fully immerse themselves in...

Gingi Freeman

Visalia in California, US *Now booking San Francisco weddings.
1400 (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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco weddings.
2100 (USD)
California wedding photography by Jonathan Young

Jonathan Young is a California coast wedding photographer, with 20 years of experience, a photojournalist background, and an eye for detail. He captures the joy and emotion of each unique wedding day.

Jonathan Young

Palos Verdes Estates in California, US *Now booking San Francisco weddings.
5500 (USD)
Weddings, engagements and elopement photography by Kevin Kienitz

Kevin Kienitz

Aurora in Illinois, US *Now booking San Francisco weddings.
3000 (USD)
Jason Kaczorowski, Destination Wedding Photography - USA

Jason Kaczorowski is an experienced destination wedding photographer with over 18 years in the field and over 650 weddings captured. He specializes in capturing powerful relationship moments and creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Jason Kaczorowski

Chicago in Illinois, US *Now booking San Francisco weddings.
3900 (USD)

Map of Wedding Photojournalists Serving San Francisco Couples

San Francisco Wedding, Elopement and Engagement Images by WPJA Photographers

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

A creative portrait captured by a Northern California wedding photographer, showing a groom leading his bride-to-be up a sandy embankment at a beach in San Francisco.
Portrait of a couple captured by a North California wedding photographer in San Francisco. The image shows the couple enjoying a tranquil session at their favorite cafe, sitting indoors at a table by a window.
A pre-wedding engagement portrait captures a couple in San Francisco, Northern California, embracing against the backdrop of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. The image also features wind-swept flat ocean waters.
Lifestyle couple portrait in Northern California's San Francisco showcases a lovely couple amidst green foliage. The tilted camera angle adds a dramatic and artistic touch, while a row of houses serves as a scenic backdrop.
Pre-wedding engagement portrait captured in San Francisco, California. This lifestyle couple portrait showcases the couple's love as they pose on a white couch at home, while their adorable furry pet gazes longingly in the foreground.
A pre-wedding engagement portrait capturing a California couple near San Francisco's iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Joined by their exuberant canine companion, they stroll along the serene shoreline, with the flat waters serving as a picturesque background.
In San Francisco, a lovely couple stands in front of the lake at the Palace of Fine Arts, creating a picturesque scene against the architectural backdrop.  - Romance Blooms: Palace of Arts
In San Francisco, the lovely couple shares a kiss inside the historic Sutro Bath ruins, framed against an old concrete wall grid with a breathtaking ocean backdrop. - Ruins of Love by Sea
In Northern California, San Francisco, the couple embraces, holding hands in front of a black-yellow barricade, capturing an urban city vibe illuminated by the warmth of the sunshine.  - Urban Love in City Glow
Captured under the majestic dome of the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, the sweet couple shares a embrace, bathed in bright sunlight. The shot, taken from a low angle, enhances the enchanting ambiance.
In San Francisco, a layered portrait of the couple is framed by leading lines, capturing an urban concrete wall vibe, adding depth to their story.  - Urban Layers: San Francisco Style
A wedding photographer from WPJA captured a beautiful engagement picture of a couple in San Francisco, amidst the bustling city, their love shining brightly in a golden field

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can a wedding photojournalist create artistic portraits on my San Francisco 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 San Francisco wedding photographers who have earned Artistic Guild awards for portrait and detail images.
Q: How can couples find top-ranked San Francisco wedding photographers?
A: The WPJA created the original wedding photographer ranking systems. Our innovative system is based on contest winning points, meaning that the San Francisco photographers you see at the top of your search results page have recently won the most — and the most recent — contest awards. Our contests judge photographers based on their creativity, style, composure, and ability to capture the heart of any couple's story on their wedding day.
Q: How can couples find reviews of San Francisco 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 San Francisco wedding photographers for their own wedding.
WPJA Communiqué: Featured Wedding Photography Articles
It’s no secret that these are strange times we’re going through right now, and there are many couples out there with weddings set in the near future who are left feeling uncertain and concerned about their futures. While that’s understandable, it’s also important to...Read more
jperlman elk cove inn ceremony
Everyone always says that your wedding day is all about you. But let’s face it; that’s not always actually the case. Many couples stress over guest lists, planning, expenses, and all the frills and traditions of your standard large wedding that they may or may not even be...Read more
Jola Mulder, of Overijssel, is a wedding photographer for
Oftentimes when people are considering a venue for their weddings, they search for a location away from home, whether that be ten minutes or ten hours, all just to find what they already have: a place that holds meaning for them, that feels comfortable, or that they find...Read more

RAVES, REVIEWS, AND San Francisco WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER RECOMMENDATIONS

Kiley & Josh

Photo by Douglas Despres

Dear Doug, Thank you so much for sending these images, and for the images themselves which are outstanding. We love so many of them, the hard part is going to be selecting the ones that go in the album! We'll have more time to look and select over the weekend, so we'll probably write to you then or early next week. Again, many thanks for your work -- we are very impressed :) Best, Josh & Kiley

Eleanor & Dave

Photo by Douglas Despres

Doug you did the most FANTASTIC job! The photos are all so beautiful I can't even make a favorites list because they're all so great. I confess that I even teared up looking at them it was such a happy day and you captured everything. We're so grateful for all your efforts, we really can't imagine having had a different photographer there to share our day with us. Thank you so so much!

Hong Kong East Ocean wedding in Emeryville, CA. Chinese wedding photojournalism Drew Bird

Benita & Ben

Photo by Drew Bird

Drew, thanks so much for everything. We had so much fun working with you. From start to finish you were great to work with and showed the highest professionalism. All of our guests really enjoyed how fun you were, too. And the photos!! The images are just beautiful. Every time we look through the photo story we see new favorites and amazing moments. Even though the wedding was only a month ago the images bring back so many amazing memories. We are so happy that you were our photographer. We will definitely be recommending you to all our family and friends. Also let us know where we can give you some public shout-outs! Thanks again!