SMALL WEDDINGS + ELOPEMENTS | choose love, not fear

Intimate Weddings & Elopement Photography

Since 2002, the WPJA has been connecting couples with the best, most artistic wedding photographers from around the world.

Studio portrait of New England small wedding and elopement photographer Nicole Chan
Colorado wedding photography and CO couple engagement portraits by Joe Pyle
Canada wedding and elopement photography by Lauren Hannah Garcia
BW Lifestyle Portrait of Jessica Evrard, a Wedding and Elopement Photographer
Var wedding photography by Marion Deletraz of PACA France
Intimate wedding photography by Wayne La
France Elopement and Wedding Photographer Hong-Phuc Bui, of Le Comptoir Photo
Portrait of French wedding photographer, Solène Lagant
Isabelle Dohin is a wedding photographer based in France
Rhode Island and Providence wedding and elopement photography by Kathryn Yeaton
Wedding reportage photography by Nadine Lotze of Lumoid Photo
Navarre wedding photography by Matt Kolf in Spain
Italy wedding photography by Danilo Coluccio
Wedding and elopement Photographer Carl Bower
Documentary wedding photography by Janina Brocklesby
Shaun Baker - Wedding Photographer and Couple Portrait Professional

Authentic Photography

The WPJA organizes various wedding photography rounds annually, recognizing and honoring exceptionally captivating images.

Take a look at the previous victors by clicking on the links below:

Intimate, Micro Wedding Planning & Elopement Articles

Kobe Vanderzande, of Limburg, is a wedding photographer for

There’s nothing quite like an intimate wedding reception in a tent, with its uniquely informal atmosphere, customized decor and proximity to the elements...

Not everyone has a lagoon or glacier next door, but there's no rule saying you can't have a small wedding in the great outdoors. Take advantage of natural...

The Authenticity of
Wedding Photojournalism

Samantha Pastoor, of Paris (75) , is a wedding photographer for
Ronan Jégaden, of , is a wedding photographer for Bourgogne - France

WPJA Contest Photos - January 19th, 2024

Any wedding photographer is going to want to please their clients — but they also want their work to be appreciated on a broader scale. This is one of the reasons why the Wedding Photojournalist Association members love our regular photography competitions. These popular contests give our photographers the opportunity to submit their best images in hopes of being selected as a winner and being recognized for their creativity and effort. Our contests are judged by a panel of notable and respected working photojournalists and picture editors in the news industry, which adds an element of prestige to our awards.

A pro documentary wedding photographer captured this WPJA award-winning image during cocktail hour at San Miguel de Allende. The photo shows the bride's family, showcasing the photographer's expertise in capturing candid moments.
A festive scene in Jaipur, India as white and blue balloons are released outdoors beneath a beautiful blue sky, marking a traditional celebration
A professional wedding photographer in Paris captured this award-winning image of the bride and groom's daughter yawning during the ceremony. The photographer specializes in capturing authentic and emotional moments throughout the wedding day.
A bride during a henna ceremony at a location in Bourgogne, France. This documentary wedding photo has received recognition from WPJA.
Downtown Pittsburgh, PA: Local woman assists bride by brushing off invasive species lanternfly from her gown as she heads to her wedding ceremony with her maids
At the Philadelphia Pennsylvania Reception Venue, the bride is caught in shock as her husband accidentally falls out of his chair during the horah, prompting everyone to quickly lend a helping hand
A documentary wedding photographer captured this award-winning image at Thompson Hotel in Austin, Texas. Guests lift the bride, a former cheerleader, during the reception. She stands above everyone under dazzling DJ lights.
La Cour des Montys, near Nantes, France: Guests on their devices patiently await the couple's first dance, experiencing wedding fatigue after a night of celebration.

Artistic Guild - Creative Portraits and Details - January 31st, 2024

The Artistic Guild competitions are distinctly different from our other WPJA contests because this category is specifically for photographers who use their talent to create digitally-enhanced images, staged portraits and dramatic detail images. This competition attracts documentary wedding photographers who also view themselves as artists who are constantly looking to create their next masterpiece.

Deer join a couple in a romantic sunset embrace at a stunning venue in Salach, Baden-Württemberg. This award-winning image captures the beauty of nature as it intertwines with a couple's love on their wedding day.
Wedding photo captured in Sarzana, La Spezia, Liguria, Italy. Depicts the intricate details of the bride's makeup, focusing on her use of a compact mirror and palette of eyeshadow colors.
Award-winning wedding photographer captures a striking black and white image in Toulouse, France. Through a minimalist approach, the photo showcases a man enjoying a drink behind a wall, with a clean and visually captivating composition.
This award-winning photo was taken by a professional wedding photographer at Mar de Eucaliptos. It features a symmetrical view of the chapel at Aurora, with a reflection of the scene at the bottom of the frame.
In this wedding portrait captured at Palacio de los Cordova in Granada, Spain, the bride and groom stand face to face in the palace garden. Their silhouettes contrast beautifully in the lush setting.
A serene moment amidst the festivities, guests gather outside El Peregrino Restaurant in Navarre, Spain, exchanging conversations and enjoying a smoke break during a pause in the dance. This striking black and white scene sets the ambiance.
Wedding detail shot at party hall in Domartemont, Meurthe-et-Moselle: The bride embraces a loved one, revealing her foliage tattoo on her arm, captured from behind in a heartfelt hug.
Wedding portrait captured at the reception venue in Angrie, France. The newlyweds share an intimate session at sunset in their field, the sunburst illuminating their faces as they kiss and embrace.

Diamond Awards - Pre-Wedding Engagement Portraits - February 14th, 2024

Couples who are searching for a wedding photographer often want a pre-wedding engagement portrait session as well as wedding day photography services. Engagement photographers need to rely on their skill and expertise in order to help their couples select a meaningful location for their portrait session. These awards allow engagement photographers to submit their most moving engagement images in hopes of being recognized for their creativity and skill.

Lifestyle couple portrait featuring a captivating pre-wedding engagement shot at Mont d'or, France. The couple is in the mountain field during the tranquil blue hour, creating an enchanting and creative scene.
Lifestyle engagement portrait captured in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, showcasing a couple immersed in nature. Both clad in matching hues of gray and denim blue, they gaze in opposite directions.
Lifestyle couple portrait at Piney River Ranch, CO. The sun sets on the mountain range as a couple embraces in red attire that complements the mountains. They are prominently positioned left of the center of the frame, bathed in the photographer's light.
Lifestyle couple portrait in Estes Park, Co. A newly engaged couple captured beneath towering trees, sharing a tender portrait session in the picturesque mountainous surroundings.
The Lake Forest Beach in Tahoe City, CA sets the scene for a captivating lifestyle couple portrait. Embracing on a bridge, the couple is off center in the frame with the picturesque expanse of Lake Tahoe behind. A playful leg lift adds a touch of romance.
Lifestyle couple portrait at Armonk, NY. This beautiful and creative black and white photograph captures a couple's intimate gaze, standing off center in front of an elegant windmill. The timeless structure adds to the composition.
Lifestyle couple portrait at Mesa, Arizona showcasing a unique double exposure technique, emphasizing the couple's affinity for mountains. Expertly composed by the photographer, capturing their love for this mountain in a creative and captivating manner.
A lifestyle couple portrait captured in Denver, Colorado, featuring a couple standing in the rain, playfully washing paint off each other. The image is composed with the couple centrally framed.

TLC - True Love Captured - March 3rd, 2023

This WPJA photography competition is focused on the emotions that are on display throughout any wedding event. The images showcase the powerful emotions that the couple are experiencing, and any of the feelings that any wedding guests may go through. The TLC contests follow a long-standing WPJA category tradition of capturing raw emotions.

The photographer at the W Hotel in Chicago, IL captured a beautiful moment of the bride kissing her grandma right before walking down the aisle
The wedding photojournalist captured the tender moment of the bride being embraced by her friend during the outdoor patio reception at Le fou Gascon in Prechac, Gers, France
The wedding photojournalist captured a beautiful moment as the bride embraced her friends in a group hug at the reception of Hardy Farm in Fryeburg, Maine
The beautiful moment of a bride wiping away her mother's tears of joy at Help Beach, Fethiye, Mugla was captured by the wedding photographer
The groom's touching encouragement of his witnesses to make a speech at his outdoor ceremony at Les tables de Crespin, the reception venue in Tarn, France, was captured beautifully in this wedding photo
The photographer captured a beautiful moment of double happiness, with the bride giving a sweet touch on the cheek and a loving hug from behind at Strabrechtse Hoeve Mierlo
The emotion of the proud parents hugging their son, the groom, as he prepared for his wedding day at House of the Groom in Siderno, Reggio Calabria was so beautiful it was captured as a timeless moment by the photographer
The wedding photojournalist at Fleurance, Gers, France captured a heartwarming moment of the groom embracing his daughter as he prepared for his big day