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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 Spring Hill Suites, Old Montreal, a candid captures the bride's bestie during preparations, highlighting a moment of friendship and joy.
Valerie Rosen
In Pordenone, Italy, the bride walks gracefully while the groom watches with admiration during their portrait session.
Paolo Blocar
At Poma Lake in Partinico, Sicily, the stunning sun and clouds create a perfect backdrop, with a silhouette highlighting the serene context.
Vincenzo Aluia
In Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, the ceremony features backlighting where a held-up fan is beautifully illuminated by the sun, taking center stage.
Dennis Berti
At La Médicée, France, during their first dance, the groom playfully flips the bride in the air, her dress fanning out beautifully.
Chloe Perez
At Rocca di Cetona, Tuscany, the groom gets ready as he receives help with his shirt, beautifully framed in an archway from a connecting room.
Alessia Bruchi
View Spotlight 2025 Round 14

Intimate Weddings & Elopement Photography

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

Destination weddings, engagement couple sessions and elopement photography by Angela Nelson
East Sussex Wedding Reportage Photography by Alex Buckland of Cotswolds England United Kingdom
Oise elopement and wedding photography by Frederic Bry of the Hauts-de-France WPJA
Studio Portrait of Harinder Chahal of Singh Photography for Weddings
Color wedding photography by Iris Hu
Katarina Nichol wedding and elopement photography
Wedding photography of marriage ceremonies and receptions by Inbal Sivan
Portsmouth Wedding Photography and Elopements by Eric McCallister, of New Hampshire
Destination Wedding Photography by Vincenzo Aiello
England elopement and wedding reportage photography by James Pearce - United Kingdom WPJA Pro
Portrait of Florent Fauqueux, Photographer for marriage ceremonies and engagement sessions
Lifestyle Portrait of BreeAnna Lasher, a Seattle WA Wedding Photographer
Rustbelt Mayberry Wedding Photographer, Erin Ninehouser
Adventure marriage images by Nicky Byrnes of Nemus Wedding Photography
Wedding photographer, Daniel Monteiro
San Antonio wedding photography by Kelly Williams of the Texas WPJA
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
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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

Estelle Offroy, of , is a wedding photographer for Chateau de la Fresnay, Angers
Benjamin Dupuy, of Vienne (86) , is a wedding photographer for
Alex Paul, of Massachusetts, is a wedding photographer for Cape Cod, MA

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.

In Alamo Heights, San Antonio, Texas, the mother of the groom and his sister watch with anticipation from a window as the couple shares their first look on their wedding day.
At BijHuub Alkmaar, a joyful grandma congratulates the groom, her face beaming as she tenderly touches his face. The moment captures love and happiness amid the wedding celebration.
In Bozeman, Montana, during the couple's first dance, a dog photobombs the moment in a black and white shot, adding unexpected charm to the wedding celebration.
In London, UK, a vibrant explosion of confetti surrounds the happy couple. Their joyful faces light up the moment as they celebrate outside, adding a festive touch to their special day.
At Swinton Park in North Yorkshire, UK, a bride and her bridesmaids are smiling as they are reflected in a wall full of different-shaped mirrors on the stair landing.
At Église de Herm in France, three small girls curiously peek around a corner, watching as the bride and groom hold the bouquet in front of the Virgin statue, wondering what special gesture they are making.
At Fort Saint André, the best man looks disillusioned as he surveys the aftermath of the ceremony, with the floor strewn with stringers. This moment captures the contrast between the joyous celebration and the ensuing mess.
At Chateau Saint Fargeau, Ecuries, the bride sits calmly as her hair is styled, while children play nearby and other women prepare for the big day. This bustling scene is richly layered, capturing multiple stories and moments playing out across the room.

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.

At Chateau de la Motte Fénelon in Cambrai, a high-angle, dramatic black-and-white shot captures the bride and groom dancing at the bottom of a staircase, with graphic bold lines adding a striking and artistic composition to the scene.
In an outdoor scene in Nanping, Fujian, a high-contrast black-and-white photograph captures a striking silhouette profile: the groom approaching on a motorcycle towards the bride, emphasizing their forms against the stark background.
At a reception venue in Lyon, Rhône, the bride and groom cuddle head to head against the earth-toned minimalist wall of their estate, for a warm and intimate portrait.
At the Newnan Center in Newnan, Georgia, a tight shot captures a groomsman with a solemn expression as he carefully puts on his tie, highlighting the seriousness and anticipation of the moment.
Two Dhol drummers descend stone stairs, leading a vibrant Hindu wedding procession in historic Athens, Greece
Amidst a lush forest, a couple shares a tender kiss, bathed in soft, ethereal light
Afternoon portrait at Ruffles Hotel, Istanbul, fiery orange dusk sky, couple silhouetted against the vibrant horizon
At Baronesse Tacco in San Floriano del Collio, Gorizia, Italy, a portrait of the bride and groom is set against the warm, golden light of sunset from behind.

Diamond Awards - Pre-Wedding Engagement Portraits - April 9th, 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 Old Montreal, QC, Canada, a couple shares an engagement hug, surrounded by the charm of an Old World building, blending historic elegance with their modern affection.
In a private villa in Paris, France, a sweet and intimate black-and-white shot captures a couple's affection indoors, framed by the gentle light streaming through a window.
In São Paulo, a couple stands face to face on red rock, backlit by warm sunlight. The scene captures the intimate connection and natural beauty of their surroundings.
In Venon, France, a couple holds hands and runs joyfully down a grassy hill, capturing the playful and carefree essence of their session.
In the ruins of Vésonne, Périgueux, a couple shares a tender connection, surrounded by the historic beauty of Tour de Vésone, capturing their shared intimacy against an ancient backdrop.
In London, UK, a couple's portrait captures them outdoors, framed by a picturesque tree scene that enhances the natural beauty and warmth of their connection.
In Carnaval de Pierres, Uchon, a couple stands head to head in a black-and-white shot. Captured from a low angle, the trees behind them create a dramatic and intimate forest scene.
In the "Traboules" of Lyon, France, a couple is featured with soft-focus foliage in the foreground, creating an enchanting and mysterious atmosphere amid the historic building wood door.

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 tender loving moment of the bride caressing her groom's face during their wedding ceremony at Duino, Trieste, Italy was captured perfectly in the wedding photo
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 beautiful and emotional moment of the Bride as she reads her heartfelt vows in the sunshine beneath the trees at Hardy Farm in Fryeburg, Maine
The photographer captured a beautiful moment of the bride joyously embracing her best friend on the dance floor of her San Francisco wedding reception
The photographer captured a beautiful moment of the bride embracing one of her great friends during the getting ready process at Cote How, The Lake District
The photograph captured a beautiful and emotional moment as the bride held back tears while saying her vows outdoors at the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa in Lake Geneva, WI
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 wedding photojournalist at Fleurance, Gers, France captured a heartwarming moment of the groom embracing his daughter as he prepared for his big day