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 mini, civil ceremony, themed, 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 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 California - Northern weddings.
4000 (USD)
Adventure weddings and elopement photography by Lauren Lindley

Lauren Lindley - Traveling wedding photographer specializing in capturing unforgettable moments. Enjoys people and gets them to feel comfortable in front of the lens.

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.

Chris Werner is an experienced elopement photographer based in Lake Tahoe, CA. With over 25 years of professional experience, he specializes in capturing the unique love and personalities of engaged couples through artistic wedding portraits.

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

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 California - Northern weddings.
4000 (USD)
Adventure marriage images by Nicky Byrnes of Nemus Wedding Photography

Documentary wedding photographer Nicky Byrnes has had a camera in her hand since childhood. With a degree in photojournalism, Nicky is published in several print and online magazines. An outdoors enthusiast and volunteer, she loves music, books, skiing, and her two rescue...

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 documentary wedding photographer who specializes in creating artful, photojournalistic images of your special day. He is a destination wedding photographer who is passionate about capturing those unforgettable moments.

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

Jipeng Han is an experienced wedding photojournalist with a specialization in documenting storytelling. She is based in San Jose, CA.

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, a 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 believes there's no greater...

Tanarak Visessonchoke

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

Edeelin Labra is an experienced wedding photojournalist based in Northern California. With a deep passion for photography and years of dedicated pursuit, her hobby has transformed into a lifelong skill. Labra's artistry goes beyond capturing moments; it preserves...

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

Annie Bang, a former journalist, and Associated Press reporter, documents real moments and emotions through documentary and photojournalistic photography. She is passionate about capturing fleeting moments to create timeless memories of our lives.

Annie Bang

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

USA-based wedding photojournalist and engagement portrait photographer, Shaun Baker, turned to photography after graduating college. With a background in video, he captured his first wedding in 2009, specializing in artistic wedding portraits.

Shaun Baker

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

Lucy Schultz, a wedding photographer specializing in elopements, brings a fun and comfortable atmosphere to her shoots, allowing clients to be their authentic selves. With experience since 2013, Lucy is a professional with a knack for capturing memorable moments.

Lucy Schultz

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

As a documentary wedding photographer, Gretchen Troop skillfully captures the essence of every couple's special day. With a background in Studio Photography, she has an eye for framing unique moments in picturesque locations.

Gretchen Troop

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

Stephanie Secrest is a wedding and engagement portrait photographer based in Central Coast CA. With a Master's in photojournalism, she has garnered recognition from renowned competitions such as 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, co-founder of SW Photo Studio, is an experienced wedding photographer who excels at capturing real moments. His love for travel and exposure to different cultures has made him open-minded and allows him to integrate unique perspectives into his creative...

Will Tee

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

Ray Anthony Iavasile is a Michigan based wedding photographer renowned for his documentary style and passion to capture the "decisive moment". He has ranked in the Top 50 wedding photojournalists worldwide and is the premier wedding photojournalist for 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

In the journalistic style, Bradley Hanson is an experienced wedding photojournalist who captures the candid moments of the wedding day. With 24 years of experience, he has covered celebrations of all sizes and his work has been featured in magazines and ad campaigns.

Bradley Hanson

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

In a journalistic style, Logan Westom is a visual storyteller who captures the most intimate moments of couples' special days, Taylor Swift concerts, and newspaper events throughout his decade-long career in professional photography from his base in Seattle.

Logan Westom

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

Darren Hendry, a non-traditional and offbeat wedding photographer, specializes in natural, emotive, creative, and honest storytelling. With a background in architecture and a passion for photography, he has been capturing unique wedding stories for almost 7 years.

Darren Hendry

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

Ron Storer's passion for capturing and preserving wedding moments is fueled by his success as a member of the US Cycling Team, where he earned a Gold Medal in the Pan-Am Games and a Silver Medal in the Olympic Trials. With a wedding photojournalist approach, he...

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

Gina Clyne, CA wedding photographer, specializes in photojournalistic style imagery. She uses a gentle eye to capture formal portraits that reflect the personalities of couples while also documenting the subtle and profound moments of the day.

Gina Clyne

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

Jonathan Young is a wedding photojournalist with 20 years of experience, a background in photojournalism, and a talent for capturing the unique emotion and joy of each wedding day. Based in California, he specializes in photographing beautiful moments along the coast.

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)
Portrait of Katharine Green from Katie Corinne Wedding Photography Studio

Katharine Green, a traveling wedding photographer, has been capturing the happiest moments of life for over 10 years. Based in Colorado, she and her associate, Jamie, specialize in wedding, engagement, and proposal photography.

Katharine Green

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

Skilled wedding photographer and officiant Rachel Gazes, based in Reno/Tahoe, brings almost a decade of experience capturing weddings across Northern Nevada and California.

Rachel Gazes

Reno in Nevada, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
2600 (USD)
Travel and destination wedding & elopement photography by Kathryn Cooper

Kathryn Cooper, a wedding photojournalist based in New York and California, specializes in unique wedding & elopement photography worldwide. With a background in travel and humanitarian photography, she offers adventurous couples creative, nontraditional, and joy-filled...

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 a seasoned wedding photojournalist with expertise in capturing the essence of weddings through her storytelling approach. She has documented more than 250+ weddings worldwide.

Kristin Bednarz

Slaton in Texas, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
4500 (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 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 an experienced wedding photographer with over 20 years of capturing weddings. She started her photography journey in high school and decided to make it her career after college, taking the risk of starting her own business. Amber is fortunate to work with...

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

Chris Rusanowsky, a seasoned documentary wedding photographer, travels across the US to capture the unscripted moments that unfold during weddings. His images artfully document the love, joy, and connection between couples.

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

San Diego wedding photojournalist, Brittany Bender, excels at capturing candid and emotional moments. With a talent for storytelling, she artistically portrays the unique experiences of her subjects.

Brittany Bender

San Diego in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
3000 (USD)
Marla Manes, a PNW ADVENTURE ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER in Seattle WA

Seattle-based Marla Manes, a skilled wedding photographer, specializes in wedding photojournalism and portraiture. Advocate for values and environmental sustainability, creating a comfortable space for exceptional photos. Proud dog person, obsessed with her black cat...

Marla Manes

Seattle in Washington, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
5500 (USD)
Lifestyle portrait of Evie Felts, a wedding and elopement photographer

Evie Felts transitioned from teaching Spanish to wedding photography, now capturing intimate moments worldwide for 5 years. Based in Mancos, Colorado, she enjoys outdoor activities and homesteading with her family.

Evie Felts

Mancos in Colorado, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
3000 (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.

Beautiful wedding photograph at the Hyatt Carmel Highlands in Carmel, CA capturing the stunning ocean view and the ongoing ceremony. A perfect vow exchange frozen in time.
Bride and groom showing gratitude to parents and elders at a wedding at Valley Presbyterian Church, Portola Valley, CA. Tradition and respect are evident in the photograph.
Wedding photo capturing a couple at Peacock Gap Golf Club in San Rafael, CA, sharing a slice of cake by both taking a bite from the same slice on a knife.
Captivating outdoor wedding photo taken at Redwood Ridge Estate, Los Gatos CA. Emotion-filled ceremony surrounded by redwoods. Picture perfect moment captured by a skilled photographer.
In this wedding photo, a photographer captured a poignant moment at the 16th Street Train Station in Oakland, CA, as the bride was moved to tears by the groom's heartfelt vows.
Photograph captured at Domenico Winery wedding in San Carlos, CA, featuring two men stealing the show with a spontaneous dance-off. A memorable moment frozen in time
Capture the special moment of a couple getting married at the Los Altos History Museum in Los Altos, CA despite the challenges of a pandemic.
A beautiful wedding photo taken at Saratoga Inn, Saratoga, CA, featuring a large black dog sitting at the bride's feet.
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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can couples find top-ranked California - Northern wedding photographers?
A: The WPJA created the original wedding photographer ranking systems. Our innovative system is based on contest winning points, meaning that the California - Northern 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: Who are the best California - Northern wedding photographers for small elopements?
A: The WPJA is proud to have some of the top California - Northern 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: 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.
WPJA Communiqué: Featured Wedding Photography Articles
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
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
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

RAVES, REVIEWS, AND California - Northern WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER RECOMMENDATIONS

Whitney & Terry

Photo by Dennis Viera

Using you guys was one of the best decisions we made for our wedding. From our first conversation, we could tell you were friendly, easygoing people who just like to take great pictures and make your clients happy. You took the time getting to know us and our relationship so you could give us exactly what we wanted. On our wedding day you were flexible, fun, and extremely easy to work with; not that we ever had any doubts, but the pictures came out ABSOLUTELY PERFECT. We were thrilled with all the pictures...and happy to have two new friends. We love you and recommend you wholeheartedly!!!

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.

Christy & Stuart

Photo by Gina Clyne

We wanted to drop a quick note and tell you how awesome you are. You got in the spirit and came prepared, and brought so much happiness from behind the camera to whoever was in front of it. We're so grateful to have had you as part of our day, and can't wait to recommend you to everyone we know. (And everyone we don't -- so please let us know any and all sites where we can leave you reviews!) Much love, Christy + Stuart