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
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 secret, 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.
View Award-Winning Pictures from Virginia Wedding Venues
35 Virginia Wedding Photographers...
In her work as a visual storyteller, Brittany Diliberto, an East Coast USA-based photographer, skillfully captures breathtaking moments through a journalistic style, artistic angles, and a touch of inspiration. With a background in professional lighting design, she...
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)
Adopting a documentary approach, USA-based wedding photographer Johnny Shryock employs his storytelling talent to capture incredible moments since his own brother's wedding a decade ago. By establishing a genuine connection with couples, he creates a comfortable...
4250 (USD)
Megan Rei is a Washington metropolitan area wedding photographer with a background in dog photography. She enjoys traveling and is open to new adventures. Megan lives with her husband Neal and their dog Rui, and she strives to capture natural and candid moments in her...
4000 (USD)
A wedding photojournalist with a love for the Washington Metro Area, Lauren Barkume's passion for capturing nature's beauty and genuine emotions sets her images apart.
4990 (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)
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, a skilled wedding photojournalist based in Lynchburg, VA, captures timeless moments with a unique editing style inspired by film photography. Trust her to make your wedding day memorable and stress-free.
3200 (USD)
Wes Shinn, a seasoned wedding photojournalist with a decade of experience as a military photojournalist, expertly captures the essence and emotions of your wedding day, creating unforgettable memories.
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)
With his documentary approach, Michael Freas weaves a visual narrative that tells the unique story of the wedding day. His dedication to capturing authentic moments and allowing couples to fully celebrate has established him as a highly respected wedding photographer.
Michael Freas
Asheville in North Carolina, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.3800 (USD)
Neil Thurston is a destination wedding photographer who takes a documentary approach to storytelling through visual imagery. With a background in action sports photography and extensive international experience, Neil uses his unobtrusive style to capture the authentic...
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 is an experienced US-based wedding photographer with an eye for visual arts and storytelling. Specializing in wedding photojournalism and bold photography, he has shot an average of 20 weddings per year, gaining experience from internships with recognized...
Kenneth Clapp
Baltimore in Maryland, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.3000 (USD)
Song Johns is an acclaimed documentary wedding photographer and the founder of Blooming Dreams Photo. With her unique artistic approach, she skillfully captures the genuine emotions and fleeting moments of each couple's wedding day.
Song Johns
Charlotte in North Carolina, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.2900 (USD)
Lacey Butler, a visual storyteller with a strong background in traditional photography, studio lighting, and English literature, has documented over 400 weddings. She takes a journalistic style approach, valuing authentic, heartfelt moments over staged ones.
Lacey Butler
Asheville in North Carolina, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.2000 (USD)
Matt Kolf, a seasoned wedding photojournalist with a keen eye for capturing intimate moments, has made a name for himself in the world of Catholic weddings in Spain and the East Coast.
Matt Kolf
Washington DC in District Of Columbia, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.3500 (USD)
In a journalistic style, Natasha Lamalle is known as a visual storyteller who excels at capturing the authentic and often fleeting moments of love. With fifteen years of experience as a journalist, her trained eye and subtle approach to photography have made her one of the...
Natasha Lamalle
Washington DC in District Of Columbia, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.4000 (USD)
Ken Pak, a wedding storyteller known for his documentary approach, captures the authentic moments of love with his camera, creating stunning visuals that tell a compelling story.
Ken Pak
Washington DC in District Of Columbia, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.3900 (USD)
Morgan O'Neil takes a documentary approach to her photography, skillfully capturing wedding moments with a camera. Specializing in vibrant coastal wedding photos, she uses her storytelling skills to create visually compelling images.
Morgan O'Neil
Baltimore in Maryland, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.4800 (USD)
Breanna Shaw is a world traveler and passionate wedding photographer. Being able to share moments of love and connection with her clients is her greatest honor, and the accident that has become her life's mission. When she is not taking photos, Breanna enjoys rock...
Breanna Shaw
Reisterstown in Maryland, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.3850 (USD)
In his journalistic style, Andrew Morrell, a visual storyteller, captures unique moments that blend art and technology, inspired by his love of music and improvisation at the weddings and elopements he photographs.
Andrew Morrell
Cleveland in Ohio, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.3600 (USD)
In her journalistic style, Colleen Stepanian, a visual storyteller and freelance photographer, captures poignant moments that preserve present reality for future nostalgia. She is driven by human connection, relationships, and vulnerability, embracing the responsibility to...
Colleen Stepanian
Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.4800 (USD)
With a documentary approach to storytelling, Anji Martin, a visual, has been documenting life with a camera since childhood. Specializing in wedding and elopement photography, she primarily serves couples in the Washington, DC, area but is available for destination weddings.
Anji Martin
Washington in District Of Columbia, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.4450 (USD)
With a documentary approach, Mary Kate McKenna, an experienced wedding photographer, competently tells the visual story of couples. Specializing in small weddings, courthouse weddings, and destination micro weddings, she captures and preserves the genuine moments that...
Mary Kate McKenna
Frederick in Maryland, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.2500 (USD)
Ryan Rayburn brings nine years of photographic journalism experience and a degree in photography to bear on capturing all the memories of couples’ special day. His considerable skill and proven track record ensure that couples’ wedding experience will be permanently...
Ryan Rayburn
Bethesda in Maryland, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.2200 (USD)
In journalistic style, Dan Harris, an experienced newspaper photojournalist, captures the intimate moments of love and joy that unfold during weddings. With over 20 years of experience and an impressive portfolio, he skillfully documents each event, preserving the essence...
Dan Harris
Jacksonville in Florida, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.400/hour (USD)
Brian Mullins is a renowned Raleigh wedding photojournalist known for his unique visual arts experience and ability to capture intimate moments that evoke deep emotions.
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 photographed her first wedding at eighteen. Annalee focuses on capturing authentic, sentimental moments rather than...
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 reviews of Virginia 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 Virginia wedding photographers for their own wedding.
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.
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.
WPJA Communiqué: Featured Wedding Photography Articles
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
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 Virginia WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER RECOMMENDATIONS
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
Heather and Andrew
Photo by Neil Thurston
Wow! I am speechless, these photos are absoloutely amazing! Thank you so much for capturing these precious moments on our wedding day!
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.
