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CANDID MOMENTS | real emotions, true memories

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.

Bathed in early morning light, the bride sits quietly in the Shanxi hotel courtyard, applying her makeup and savoring a peaceful start to her wedding day.
Pao Cai
Excitement fills the grand entrance at Château de Cypierre in Volesvres, Bourgogne, France, as the bride and groom are warmly welcomed into the reception room.
Loic Nicoloso
Flowers fly through the air during the flower toss at a hotel in Fujian, while a sweeping drone view captures the entire red carpet entourage winding its way the car.
ZhiChen Ruan
Set against the rolling hills of Crete Senesi, Tuscany, a couple embraces, the breathtaking Italian landscape providing a romantic backdrop for their kissing portrait.
Alessia Bruchi
At La Maison du Saula, beaming grandparents share a moment of happiness together during the wedding ceremony, their smiles radiating affection and pride.
Cyril Langeard Montauban
Inside a hotel room in Shanxi, the groom’s mother paces thoughtfully, her presence adding warmth and tradition to the preparations unfolding before the ceremony.
Pao Cai
View Spotlight 2026 Round 26

Intimate Weddings & Elopement Photography

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

Couple engagement portrait sessions + wedding and elopement photography by Xiang Qi of Jian Impression
Engagement, elopement, and wedding photography by Andrew Morrell
Capture beautiful moments on your special day with the talented wedding photographer Chris Werner in Northern California's stunning Lake Tahoe.
Adventure weddings and elopement photography by Lauren Lindley
Oise elopement and wedding photography by Frederic Bry of the Hauts-de-France WPJA
Wedding elopement and photography by Oliver Saillard of France
Adventure elopement and wedding photography by Mike Kory
Urban lifestyle portrait of United Kingdom elopement and wedding reportage photographer Alex Benyon
UK photographer: Martin Dabek
Wedding photography and couple portraits by Francesca Vitulano of Framelines
Wedding and elopement photography by Amanda Squier
Lyon Wedding Photography by Elise Julliard of Rhone, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France
Wedding Photographer Chanarthip Cheingthong, for Thailand
Studio Portrait of Wedding Photographer Kate Crabtree
Wedding and Elopement Photographer Andreas Pollok
England engagement, wedding and elopement photography by Hollie Mateer of M and G Wedding Photography
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:

2026 Lifestyle Engagement Photography - Diamond Awards

2025 v04 Artistic Guild

2025 v04 Photography Competition

2025 Lifestyle Engagement Portraits - Diamond Awards

2025 v03 Photography Competition

View More Contests

Intimate, Micro Wedding Planning & Elopement Articles

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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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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View Wedding Articles

The Authenticity of
Wedding Photojournalism

Robin Goodlad, of Dorset, is a wedding photographer for
Laura Barbera, of Firenze, is a wedding photographer for
Valerie Teppe, 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.

A candle ignites a wedding table in Chignat, France, prompting quick action from the groom and his father, who work together to stop the fire during the lively event.
The bus driver offers a cheerful thumbs up to the bride as she arrives in Bath for her wedding ceremony, adding a friendly, welcoming touch to the start of her day.
In Houlton, Maine, the bride and groom share a joyful dance at their wedding while guests watch, smiles and movement filling the room with happiness.
Outside Eglise Saint-Martin in Digoin, France, laughter erupts among guests, illuminated by the warm glow of the sunset after the church ceremony.
In Budapest, at the ceremony location, a bride leads her partner forward with a gentle smile, glancing back as they step into a new chapter of their journey together.
At The Branch Museum in Richmond, VA, a mother and son take to the dance floor, sharing an emotional dance in front of friends and family during the wedding reception.
At Morgan Manufacturing in Chicago, IL, the father of the bride makes a hilarious face during the lively hora, creating a joyous and comical memory at the wedding reception.
In Pamplona, Spain, the bride’s house buzzes with excitement as her sisters gather together, applying their makeup and preparing for the wedding festivities ahead.

Artistic Guild - Creative Portraits and Details - January 24th, 2026

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.

Another view in the same park offers a close portrait of the couple, their expressions framed by a welcoming outdoor atmosphere.
In Ancona, a close-up wedding detail draws attention to delicate textures and thoughtful elements that enhance the couple’s celebration in the Marche region.
Set within the natural surroundings of Château de Frétoy in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, the bride and groom stand together under the veil, their portrait blending nature and romance.
A silhouetted couple stands together at Asia Hotel in Bangkok, their outlines set against a softly lit backdrop, highlighting romance and anticipation before the celebration.
Outside MIT Chapel in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the groom and his friends leap into the air for a fun and energetic group portrait, capturing the joy of the day.
At Doubletree San Diego Bayside in San Diego, California, the bride relaxes on a couch with her bridesmaids, all wearing slippers in a cozy and fun pre-ceremony detail shot.
On the shores of Lake of Zoug, Switzerland, sunset colors are reflected across the water as the environment and couple intersect in the frame.
At an Airbnb in Dennis, Massachusetts, an extreme close-up highlights the sculptural detail of makeup application, turning wedding prep into a graphic vignette.

Diamond Awards - Pre-Wedding Engagement Portraits - April 9th, 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.

In Trieste, Italy, a silhouette of a couple stands against the vibrant sky, their forms outlined by the golden light of sunset, creating a dramatic and intimate portrait of their bond.
Set in Göreme, Nevşehir, Turkey, a couple is photographed during a Cappadocia pre-wedding session, with the distinctive landscape forming a natural background in this wide environmental portrait.
In Budakeszi, Hungary, a couple stands together with their dog, shown in an engagement portrait that includes the pet as part of the scene.
Under a cherry tree in Slovenia, a couple hugs, framed by the tree’s branches and soft natural light, capturing a simple, intimate portrait in a peaceful outdoor setting.
A pre-wedding portrait at Fortaleza de la Mota in Alcalá la Real, Jaén, Spain, captured against the foliage at the fortress, highlighting their connection in soft light.
Standing in the doorway of a chalet, an engaged couple at Kondiaronk Belvedere in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, admires the stunning city view.
On the Amalfi Coast in Italy, a couple shares a hug in the sunlight, the bright afternoon light illuminating their figures and creating sharp contrasts with the surroundings.
A couple embraces on a cobblestone street in the medieval village of Pérouges, surrounded by historic stone buildings.

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 a beautiful moment of the bride joyously embracing her best friend on the dance floor of her San Francisco wedding reception
The brothers' emotional speeches and hugs at the Lobster Factory ceremony in Tournai, Belgium were beautifully captured in the wedding photo
At the stunning Mont La Salle in Napa, CA, the moment a bridesmaid holding flowers ran to hug the bride was truly a beautiful and emotional one that the wedding photographer was able to capture
The wedding photojournalist captured the tender moment of the bride being embraced by her friend during the outdoor patio reception at Le fou Gascon in Prechac, Gers, France
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 moment of the bride embracing one of her great friends during the getting ready process at Cote How, The Lake District
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 photographer captured a beautiful moment at Montlouis sur Loire, as the two mothers of the couple tearfully embraced outdoors