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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.

At Palazzo Te in Mantova, Italy, a couple shares a romantic dip in an empty room. Captured in black and white, natural window light accentuates their intimacy and creates a timeless, elegant portrait.
Fabrizio Demasi
At Casa di Papi in Lazise, Verona, Italy, a clean, bold detail shot highlights sommeliers carefully preparing the aperitivo, showcasing their skillful hands and elegant glassware as they set the stage for elegant celebration.
Fabrizio Demasi
In Avignon, a stylish man wearing sunglasses shows off his breakdancing skills on the dance floor, striking a dynamic pose as onlookers watch, capturing the vibrant energy and fun of the celebration.
Andrea Martinetti
At Quinta da Eira in Penafiel, Portugal, the bride and groom walk with two children down a grassy aisle, framed by smiling guests outdoors, heading together toward the cake-cutting celebration under the canopy of trees.
Pedro Pulido
At Herrington on the Bay, North Beach, MD, the bride and groom walk along the wooden pier just after their ceremony, sending gulls scattering into the sky as they enjoy their beautiful waterfront surroundings.
Andrew Morrell
In Dumbo at dusk, the couple strolls through the city streets dressed in striking red and navy outfits, their coordinated attire and purposeful steps reflecting their unity and the energetic, urban backdrop surrounding them.
Will Han
View Spotlight 2025 Round 23

Intimate Weddings & Elopement Photography

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

Navarre wedding photography by Matt Kolf in Spain
Elopements by Top Wedding Photographer Justin Edmonds
Wedding Photography by Mauricio Urena
Wedding and elopement photos by Pierrick Roland
Lyon Wedding Photography by Elise Julliard of Rhone, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France
Wedding and elopement Photographer Carl Bower
Studio portrait of Bozhidar Krastev, wedding photographer of Vonle Art
Tracey Buyce Wedding Images
São Paulo wedding and elopement photography by Thiago Gimenes of Brazil
PNW Wedding and Elopement Photography by Brianna Parks
Lifestyle portrait of wedding reportage photographer Nadine Lotze of Lumoid Photo
BW studio portrait of Xiaoqi Li, an artistic wedding and engagement photographer
Lifestyle portrait of Colorado wedding and elopement photographer Nina Larsen Reed
Engagement, Wedding and Elopement Photography by Lucy Schultz
Yucatan Peninsula wedding photography by Adrian Bonet of Cancun wedding photographer Adrian Bonet is a Mexico based Wedding Photojournalist Association member in Cancun
Var wedding photography by Marion Deletraz of PACA France
Wedding, engagement and elopement photography by Anastasiia Polyakov, of So Tender Is Humanity
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 v04 Photography Competition

2025 Lifestyle Engagement Portraits - Diamond Awards

2025 v03 Photography Competition

2025 v03 Artistic Guild

2025 v02 Photography Competition

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

Florian Maguin, of Isere(38) , is a wedding photographer for
Vinicius Fadul, of São Paulo, is a wedding photographer for Paioça do cabloco
Patrick Lombaert, of , 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 16th, 2026

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 Mairie d'Estillac in Lot et Garonne, a caring aunt gently comforts her young niece, offering warmth and reassurance during the wedding gathering.
At Gut Ahe in Sauerland, NRW, Germany, the groom struggles to hold back tears while the bride reads her vows, the moment filled with sincerity and love.
From her home in Nanping, Fujian, the bride peers through the railing, watching guests play lighthearted games in the attic as she awaits the next part of the ceremony.
At Grafton Inn in Grafton, Vermont, the bride and groom raise glasses as they give a cheerful toast during their wedding reception, smiles reflecting their happiness.
Château de Montplaisant in Montagnat, Ain, sets the stage for bridal preparations, where a bridesmaid in a hydration mask and the bride with her hair getting done relax together with glasses of champagne.
At a private residence in Newport, Vermont, the groom and a family member share a heartfelt, emotional exchange during the wedding reception surrounded by loved ones.
At Segrave Barns in Ireland, the bride and groom dance together while a bridesmaid takes center stage, and two more bridesmaids laugh together, adding liveliness to the celebration.
At home during the wedding reception in Shanxi, friends playfully coax the groom into kissing the bride’s feet, sharing laughter and lively tradition as guests watch and cheer them on.

Artistic Guild - Creative Portraits and Details - October 17th, 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.

In Larmor-Plage, Britanny, the wedding couple poses across from the local church to mimic the adjacent bank advertisement for a playful, self-aware portrait.
Hauts-de-France, Nord - An artistic overhead drone view captures the reception venue where wedding guests are engaged in a dynamic ribbon game, creating a striking scene setter on the couple's special day.
Domaine de Parçay — The couple shares a romantic walk during their photo session, captured in black and white with a vintage feel and a sense of urgency, creating a timeless wedding portrait.
Basilica of Saint Josaphat, Milwaukee, Wisconsin,'s stunning architectural details and soaring ceiling create a majestic and artistic scene setter for the couple's wedding day.
Metz Chapel: The couple poses on opposite sides of a stone pillar at the chapel’s corner, the groom looking toward the camera with a subtle smile while the bride gazes thoughtfully into the distance, creating a contemplative wedding photo.
Parma Sole — The bride and groom share a free, heartfelt embrace in a black-and-white portrait, creating an ethereal and dreamy wedding image filled with emotion.
Wolds Way Farm, Yorkshire, England, showcases the intricate detail of the bride's gown as she and her daughter stand mirroring each other's actions during the wedding preparations.
Winnipeg: After their wedding ceremony, a drone photo captures a serene, artistic portrait of the newlyweds laying down amidst a vibrant field of yellow dandelion flowers.

Diamond Awards - Pre-Wedding Engagement Portraits - January 12th, 2026

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.

Engagement portrait at Las Cuevas Beach, Trinidad, features the couple standing in the middle of a tranquil river flowing toward the sea behind them, illuminated by golden hour sunlight.
Couple shares a kiss in a Portland, Maine arcade, bathed in low, glowing ambient light as pinball machines illuminate the scene, capturing a playful and romantic atmosphere.
The couple stands nose to nose in San Francisco, surrounded by lush foliage in the soft-focus foreground, highlighting their connection in this intimate engagement portrait.
Couple stands together on a city sidewalk at night in the City of London, captured in a black and white portrait that highlights the urban lights and nighttime atmosphere surrounding them.
He dips her gracefully in South Lake Tahoe, her red dress contrasting with his black attire, creating an elegant and formal engagement portrait set against a scenic natural backdrop.
Engagement portrait of a couple standing and embracing beside enormous, ribbed stone columns of an old world building in San Francisco, wrapped in a loving embrace.
Engaged couple gazes into each other's eyes at Kondiaronk Belvedere, Montreal, set against a dreamy backdrop of a snow-covered, foggy cityscape stretching out in the distance.
In the shade of tall trees at South Lake Tahoe, he wraps his arms around her from behind, sharing a warm hug, with soft light filtering through the forest for a cozy portrait.

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 bride and her father shared an emotional moment as he kissed her head in the back of the limo just before the ceremony, captured perfectly in their wedding photo from Trieste, Italy
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 happy couple leaving their civil ceremony in Biarritz, France with their little boy beaming with joy at his parents' marriage, is captured wonderfully in this wedding photo, showing the love from his mother
The photographer captured a beautiful and emotional moment as a Bari bride lovingly greeted her ailing grandmother, who was unfortunately unable to join the celebration of her special day
The tears of joy from the groom and ring bearer as the bride walked down the aisle at the Westin Playa Conchal in Guanacaste, Costa Rica were captured beautifully in the wedding photo
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 brothers' emotional speeches and hugs at the Lobster Factory ceremony in Tournai, Belgium were beautifully captured in the wedding photo
The wedding photographer captured a timeless moment of love and joy as the bride's grandparents danced in an embrace at the Mountain Top Inn in Vermont