Wedding Photos of Artful

The following “Artful” images were created by documentary wedding photographers from the WPJA, who regularly submit their best candid moments, artistic portraits, details, and scene setters for review by our WPJA competition judges.

WEDDINGS + ELOPEMENTS + ARTISTIC PORTRAITS & DETAILS + ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS

Some of the “Artful” marriage photography samples below may have come from the getting ready events, the actual wedding ceremony, the reception after-party, an engagement session with the couple, or possibly be artistic portraits or detail shots.

FINE ART WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY: Our Artistic Guild award winners take a more creative approach to wedding day Portraits and use their innovative skills to capture the Details of each couple’s special day. The Artistic Guild’s Scene Setters are some of the most notable and breathtaking from within the artistic WPJA contest categories. Playing with light and shadow, special effects, and post-production editing, these images embrace the artistic component of wedding photography.

PRE-WEDDING ENGAGEMENT PHOTOGRAPHY: The story of every couple starts long before the wedding day, and the engagement marks one of the most important milestones in their story. Engaged couples often want to celebrate the occasion and announce their upcoming wedding with a photoshoot. Pre-wedding portraits of an engaged couple can be just as moving and compelling as the images taken on the wedding day. Engagement portraits can win a Diamond Award, an exclusive WPJA award whose winner is selected from the best engagement photography in the world.

In Paris, all of the wedding shoes are artfully lined up, showcasing a range of styles and textures for a creative, detail-focused shot.

Artful Detail Arrangement Of Wedding Shoes In Paris Highlights Varied Styles And Textures For A Creative Pre-Ceremony Shot

Amidst the greenery on the Bund in Shanghai, he gently kisses her, their intimate connection softly revealed through wispy grass blades in an artful, nature-inspired engagement portrait.

Engaged Couple Sharing A Gentle Kiss Amidst Bund Greenery In Shanghai, Softly Framed By Wispy Grass Blades

romantic portrait portrait Shanghai Artful intimate nature botanical setting

In Venice, Italy, the couple stands face to face, silhouetted in black and white between urban buildings, creating a striking and romantic city portrait.

Engaged Couple Silhouetted Face to Face in Urban Venice Portrait Session

urban buildings Italy historic black and white Artful Dramatic Venice

At Allied Arts in California, a bride playfully hides in anticipation during traditional wedding games. This black and white, layered photograph uses glass reflections to create a dreamy, artful composition, blending excitement, mystery, and joyful moment

Bride Playfully Hides During Wedding Games At Allied Arts, California In A Dreamy Black-And-White Reflected Image

dreamy playful anticipation Allied Arts layered Wedding games Menlo Park

Elegant black and white shot of luxury wedding shoes, artfully arranged in a Canmore hotel room.

Luxury black and white wedding shoes, artfully arranged in a Canmore hotel room.

Canmore Wedding Details bridal shoes btw detail Alberta Canmore Hotel Artful luxury

At Thicket Priory in North Yorkshire, England, a detailed shot artfully captures the hands of wedding guests during the ceremony, highlighting their connection and participation in the heartfelt event.

Heartfelt Moments: Guests' Hands United at Thicket Priory Ceremony in North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire United Kingdom Artful Thicket Priory guests hands clasped North Yorkshire Wedding Photography

At Château Pape Clément in Pessac, the bride and groom pose in the gardens, artfully rim-lit by the photographer to enhance their romantic presence amid the lush surroundings.

Bride and Groom Rim-Lit for Romantic Presence Amid Lush Gardens at Château Pape Clément, Pessac

Château Pape Clément elegance romantic garden presence rim lit couple Artful French wedding scene Pessac gardens

At Domaine de la Ruisselière in Lacenas, France, a flat lay artfully arranges the engagement rings alongside a card, shoes, and other wedding accoutrements, capturing the details and elegance of the occasion.

Rings and Wedding Details Create Enchanting Display at Domaine de la Ruisselière Wedding

Lacenas elegant arrangement france wedding Domaine de la Ruisselière accessories capturing wedding sophistication France wedding detail flat lay

In São Paulo, Brazil, a close-up captures the bride's hand holding her bouquet, with scissors in the other hand as ribbons artfully encircle the flowers. This highlights both the intricate details and creativity behind the wedding.

Bride Holds Bouquet and Scissors, Ribbons Encircle Flowers in São Paulo Close-up

Detail Shot close up Artful scissors ribbons brides hand São Paulo

At Ruella Bistrô in São Paulo, Brazil, a black-and-white portrait captures the couple sharing a kiss as they dance inside the restaurant, with light and shadows artfully playing across the scene.

Couple's Kiss Captured in Black-and-White Amidst Dance at Ruella Bistrô, São Paulo Wedding

Brazilian Charm São Paulo light and shadow kiss dance portrait Brazil wedding

At Pátio Welucci in São Paulo, Brazil, a high-angle black-and-white shot captures the intricate details of the wedding dress on the bride, highlighting its elegant design and texture.

High-Angle Black-and-White Shot Highlights Bride’s Dress at Pátio Welucci, São Paulo Wedding

style black and white Brazilian Charm intricate details texture Pátio Welucci Artful

In Redwoods National Park, California, an artful and creative sunset double exposure photograph features the couple silhouetted against the backdrop of towering evergreen trees, merging nature's grandeur with their connection.

Sunset Double Exposure Silhouettes Couple Amidst Towering Redwoods in California National Park Wedding Scene

California - Northern creative trees CA wedding couple double exposure art connection

At Minterne House, a woman stands in the foreground making a hand gesture, while the large wall paintings behind her display a similar loop of hands, creating an intriguing visual connection between the present and the art.

Hand in Hand: Minterne House Wedding Creates Artful Echo

Minterne House scene loop harmony woman Artful black and white

A beautiful detail shot captured in Saint Joseph de Rivière, France. This black and white photo showcases the stunning detail of a wedding dress from a unique perspective.

Artful Elegance: Black and White Detail of Wedding Dress

shot white wedding attire Creative Capture wedding dress bridal gown Elegance

A high angle view captures the image of young boys in suits, holding the wedding rings in a heart-shaped wooden box, at Ottenstein Castle in Austria.

Glamorous Wedding Affair: Boys Unveil Rings at Austria's Ottenstein Castle

kids Austria Children artistic wedding detail shots couples rings youngster youth

At Valleybrook Country Club, a wedding photographer captured an award-winning, and detailed image of the couple's rings delicately placed on the stem of a wine glass, with the fire pit in the background.

Valleybrook Country Club: Rings atop wine glass, fire pit backdrop.

wedding ring Lights fire backdrop darkness Artful artistic wedding detail shots couples rings

Bride flaunts her stylish custom Jordan shoes amidst the backdrop of Sterling Ridge Resort in Vermont, captured by the award-winning artistic wedding day photographer.

Sterling Ridge Resort in Vermont: Artistic Wedding Day Visions Unveiled

footwear shoes outside nature bride wife shoe

Image captures the arrival of bride and her father at Skipton Church in Skipton, England, as they step out of a car, revealing their shoes on rain-soaked cobblestone.

Elegant Wedding: Radiant Bride and Father Gracefully Step onto Rain-Soaked Cobblestone at Skipton Church

dress outdoors North Yorkshire newlyweds automobile stepping out of car wedding couple

Award-winning wedding photographer captures the modern and stylish essence of the bride and groom's rings, arranged in a straight line on a clean white background, adorned with a delicate oval of white flowers.

Santa Barbara Dream: Rings Aligned, Floral Halo, Minimalistic and Elegant

couples rings ring arrangement white flowers artistic wedding detail shots Chicago flowers vertical format

Chicago, Illinois-based wedding photographer captures a stunning and modern image during a bride's preparation at home. The photograph showcases the bride's dress hanging in the background, creating a stylistic composition with dual mirror reflections.

Chicago Bride's Stylistic Dress: Modern Reflections in Dual Mirrors

in a building bridal gown Chicago indoors Chicago Artistic Details tight shot palm frond

Capturing the serene anticipation of the bride, this award-winning detail image by a modern wedding photographer showcases the intricacy of the scene at Bath Registry Office, as she awaits her ceremony on a wooden bench.

Bath Registry Office: Serene Bride Anticipation on Wooden Bench

bridal tight shot bride Wooden bench artistic wedding detail shots wife flowers

Capturing the scene with exquisite detail, the photographer beautifully frames the bride as she applies her vibrant red lipstick, enhancing the stunning red hues of the luxurious British Pullman train.

Luxurious British Pullman Train: Capturing Exquisite Detail of Vibrant Bride

London Artistic Details British Pullman Train tight shot red lipstick bride Artful getting ready

An award-winning image captured by an artistic wedding photographer on the British Pullman train in England. The bride and groom playfully hide their faces behind folded paper menus or programs at the head table.

Enigmatic Love: Bride and Groom Concealed on British Pullman Train

menus indoor in a building indoors programs England Artistic Details Artful

In this award-winning image, the bride and groom embrace each other tightly on the renowned British Pullman train, as they embark on a journey to their wedding ceremony in England.

British Elegance: A Tender Journey to Our Forever in England

wedding couple tight shot wedding details Detail Wedding Picture close up shot married couple Artful

Capturing timeless elegance, this award-winning portrait showcases the bride gracefully reclining on a vintage sofa at Lincoln's Cottage, Washington DC, showcasing her bouquet in a stunning black and white composition.

Vintage Sophistication: A Timeless Bride at Lincoln's Cottage, Washington DC

in a building Artful wife bride artistic portrait sessions black and white bw

Bathed in the glow of twilight, the award-winning photographer captures a tender embrace between the Bride and Groom at the scenic Cain Manor Hampshire reception venue, adorned with vibrant bursts of color.

Twilight Embrace: Serene Cain Manor Hampshire Delights with Bursting Colors

Night bursts of color outside married couple creative portrait Artful Artsy

At the Canary Shed in Essex, England, an award-winning image captured by an artistic wedding photographer showcases bridesmaids holding flowers that flawlessly complement their individual red and pink outfits.

Blossoming Unity: Bridesmaids' Bouquets Unite in Essex's Canary Shed

bridesmaids colorful dresses tight shot bouquets bouquet bridal party pink

At Tacaro Estate, an artistic wedding photographer captured the intricate scene when the bride gracefully slips into her heels, framed by a collection of vintage typewriters. A stunning black and white image full of elegant details.

Graceful Steps: Vintage Typewriters Frame Bride's Heel Switch at Tacaro Estate

Artful heels wife Maryland bride Tracys Landing bridal

Capture the essence of a beautiful wedding at Tacaro Estate in Tracys Landing, Maryland - with delicately arranged stationery, rings, and vintage typewriters as the backdrop.

Elegant Extravaganza: Captivating Wedding at Tacaro Estate, Maryland, Embracing Delicate Details and Vintage Charm

couples rings tight shot ring detail wedding ring typewriters Artful artistic wedding detail shots

An award-winning image captures the scene at Richmond Hill Hotel, Surrey, England, where a bridesmaid in a green dress lovingly helps the bride put on her shoes, emphasizing the close bond and attention to detail.

Enchanting Union: Bridesmaid's Green Dress Highlights Bond at Richmond Hill

England artistic wedding detail shots Surrey helping bride bridal indoor brides friends

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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.