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SMALL WEDDINGS + ELOPEMENTS | choose love, not fear

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.

WPJA Spotlight

Exceptional Wedding Photography Showcase

Explore top-tier imagery captured by WPJA members. With special badges and recognition, these exceptional images from weddings showcase the unparalleled talent of our photographers. Dive into dedicated slider galleries within Member Profiles and Spotlight Galleries to witness the artistry and skill that sets our members apart.

In Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico, a poignant moment unfolds as the groom, framed in anticipation, watches the bride walk down the aisle on the beach sand.
Dennis Berti
In York, Maine, the flower girl dresses, with the bride's gown hanging in the background. This scene captures the anticipation and excitement of getting ready, highlighting the charming contrast between the little girl's preparation and the gown.
Brittany Bugaj
In Germany's NRW region, a wedding detail shot highlights the couple's rings elegantly placed on an old-world statue. This artistic composition blends the timeless beauty of the rings with the historical charm of the statue.
Monique De Caro
In a hotel in Fuzhou, Fujian, the bride and groom share a playful moment as they peek from behind a curtain, eagerly watching the ceremony preparations unfold before officially walking down the aisle.
KaiMing Weng
At Boettcher Mansion in Golden, Colorado, an almost-married couple exchanges heartfelt notes behind a door, maintaining the tradition of not seeing each other before the ceremony.
Kevin Bergthold
In NRW, Germany, a captivating wedding portrait captures the groom lovingly wrapping his arms around the bride from behind. Their eyes lock in a moment filled with warmth and connection, all set against the serene backdrop of nature.
Monique De Caro
View Spotlight 2025 Round 12

Intimate Weddings & Elopement Photography

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

Massachusetts Couple Portraits by Wedding Photographer Katie Kaizer
London wedding and elopement photography by Gyula Lovaszi, of England, United Kingdom
Portrait of Nottinghamshire elopement and wedding photographer Martin Makowski, of United Kingdom England East Midlands
Boston wedding and elopement photography by Kayla Rice of the Massachusetts FPJA
Engagement, Elopement and Wedding Photography by Nicolas Bernard
Milan small wedding photography by Federico Fasano of Lombardy Italy
Harpenden and Hertfordshire elopement and wedding reportage photography by Neil Pleasants of England United Kingdom
Engagement Portrait Pro, Wedding and Elopement Photographer Johnny Shryock of the WPJA
Portrait of Bill Tse, Wedding Photographer
United Kingdom wedding photography, engagement portraits and elopements by Jenny Rutterford
Cristina Tanase is a Wedding and Engagement Photographer
Studio Portrait of Wedding Photographer Kate Crabtree
Foggia wedding photography by Pino Coduti of Apulia, Italy
Colorado engagements + wedding and elopement photography by Sean Lara
Portrait of Wedding Photographer Denise Chastain
A studio portrait of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, a wedding photographer Amael Dubiez from France
Studio portrait of wedding and elopement photographer Erica Dietz
Macaé wedding photography by Aline Prado of Rio de Janeiro
One of the most touching things about wedding photography is how quickly you find yourself thrown into the heart of such an important, intimate occasion. It's a responsibility only a fool would take lightly.- Harry Richards, WPJA Member
Become a Member

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:

2025 Lifestyle Engagement Portraits - Diamond Awards

2024 v04 Artistic Guild

2024 v04 Photography Competition

2024 Pre Wedding Couple Portraits - Diamond Awards

2024 v03 Artistic Guild

View More Contests

Intimate, Micro Wedding Planning & Elopement Articles

Kobe Vanderzande, of Limburg, is a wedding photographer for

Wedding Reception Tents: A Creative Photo Palette

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

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A Sunshine Solemnization - Outdoor Weddings in Nature

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...

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View Wedding Articles

The Authenticity of
Wedding Photojournalism

The bride and her mom have an emotional moment before she marries her soon to be husband
Sarah V. Martinez, of New Hampshire, is a wedding photographer for

Two people making a commitment of marriage want to remember the day for the rest of their lives. Shouldn’t the wedding photography that commemorates their celebration reflect the personal moments and honest emotions they will remember?

A love for authenticity in wedding photography — finding art in the actualities of a marriage celebration — led to the founding of the Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA) in 2002. Out of respect for our clients, the wedding photographers and photojournalists accepted for WPJA membership have a demonstrated talent for candid originality and a dedication to the documentary approach in wedding photography. To maintain their standing in the WPJA, member photographers must adhere to the highest professional and ethical standards.

  • For Engaged Couples planning a wedding: Hire a WPJA photographer so you can reproduce and retell the beautiful, unique story of how your celebration unfolds — as you will want to remember it and have it told for generations.
  • For Professional Wedding Photographers with a photojournalist’s talent for capturing moments, not stage-directing them: Join the WPJA to have your expertise accredited, to help promote and further our craft, and to let the WPJA introduce you to the ideal clients for your work.

WPJA Contest Photos - January 20th, 2025

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.

At Airlie in Warrenton, VA, the wedding couple shares a laugh during the toasts while seated at the head table. Their joyful reaction adds warmth to the celebratory atmosphere.
In a timeless black and white image at Grillardor Solingen, a young girl playfully enjoys her time on the couch in the lounge room.
In Rocamadour, France, the bride reaches up to take down her hanging gown, while other members of the bridal party are reflected in a nearby mirror, adding depth and excitement to this beautiful moment of preparation.
At Col Pradat in the Italian Dolomites, the groom opens a bottle of prosecco. Surrounded by the stunning snow-covered mountains, this outdoor celebration captures the beauty and excitement of the moment.
At Domaine des Monts du Lyonnais, Rhône, the newlyweds warmly greet the arriving car procession, marking the beginning of their joyous wedding celebration.
At Domaine des Saints Pères in Chambéry, Savoie, France, male guests eagerly gather as the groom throws a sausage, turning the moment into a fun and lively game of catch during the celebration.
At Riverlands Wedding Barn in Yorkshire, England, the bride and groom warmly embrace and greet guests, navigating a gauntlet row of handshakes and hugs. The scene embodies the joyous and inclusive spirit of the reception.
In Orleans (45), the bride becomes emotional and wipes away tears as elder family members gaze upon her.

Artistic Guild - Creative Portraits and Details - January 28th, 2025

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.

Cleveland bride and groom walk toward camera in urban setting, candidly captured mid-rise after posed photo
At The Willows, a couple's wedding portrait is captured, mirrored hallway reflection framing them
In Delafield, Wisconsin, a couple danced joyfully as their wedding party sang around them, creating a lively scene outside a two-story building.
In the Distillery District, Toronto, a nighttime artistic exposure captures the couple with a vibrant pattern of repeating spotlights behind them in a colorful and dynamic image that enhances the energy and romance of the pair.
Poitiers bride and groom pose under the veil, captured in a romantic wedding photograph
Infrared kiss under veil, Villa Carafa, Andria wedding reception, unique chromatic filter, ethereal, romantic, artistic photography.
At a hotel in Nanping, Fujian, a portrait depict the bride alongside a billboard adorned with various white clothes, elegantly highlighting bridal fashion against a modern backdrop.
Black and white image of bride with bouquet at Schloss Romrod in an elegant wedding setting.

Diamond Awards - Pre-Wedding Engagement Portraits - March 7th, 2025

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.

In Chamonix, a couple playfully runs beneath snow-laden trees, laughter echoing through the crisp air, creating a romantic and joyful winter scene.
A couple's silhouette stands out against the glowing backdrop of the lake in Central Park, New York City, highlighting their intimate pose.
A romantic silhouette of a couple in front of a water fountain at The Hotel Hershey, with the blurred greenery in the lower foreground adding depth and softness to the scene.
A candid, love-filled scene in West End, Atlanta, where a couple walks along a wide, tree-lined sidewalk, laughing and enjoying each other's company.
Engagement portrait of a couple running and having fun on Herradura Beach, Marina Los Sueños, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, during their engagement session.
In an atmospheric alleyway in Lancaster, PA, a couple’s figures are backlit, their outlines softened by fog and smoke, adding a cinematic, dreamlike quality to the scene.
Stylish couple on the Bund, Shanghai, China, gazing ahead in a black and white low-angle shot, with sunglasses adding to their chic, futuristic vibe.
In Grenoble, France, a couple's silhouettes stand out against the soft hues of the setting sun, capturing a serene and intimate portrait at the end of the day.

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 captured the emotional moment of the bride picking up her friend in a foggy embrace on the dance floor of her Montpellier wedding
The brothers' emotional speeches and hugs at the Lobster Factory ceremony in Tournai, Belgium were beautifully captured in the wedding photo
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 photographer captured a beautiful moment at Montlouis sur Loire, as the two mothers of the couple tearfully embraced outdoors
At a wedding in Bucharest, Romania, the groom lovingly hugged his sister - a beautiful black and white image captured the emotional moment
The wedding photo taken at West Haven, Connecticut captured a touching moment of a groom shedding tears as his mother lovingly does his hair for the big day
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 photographer captured the beautiful moment of a wedding guest giving the bride a big hug and a kiss on the cheek at the Private Home in Congham, Norfolk, UK