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Wedding Photos of Atmosphere

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The following “Atmosphere” 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 “Atmosphere” 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.

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At Holland Ridge Farm in NJ, a couple stands amid the vibrant tulip fields as sunlight rays pierce through storm clouds. The dramatic lighting from the local sun adds a captivating and romantic atmosphere to the scene.
Couple Stands Among Vibrant Tulip Fields at Holland Ridge Farm, NJ, with Diagonal Sunrays Piercing Storm Clouds and Blue Sky
nj coupleNJNew Jerseyatmospherescenicromanticnature
In Kayseri, Turkey, during an engagement photo session in Cappadocia, a couple stands at a ranch with many horses. The low sun creates a warm glow, while to the right, a cowboy rides a horse rearing up, adding a dynamic element to the scene.
Engagement Session in Cappadocia, Kayseri, Turkey | Couple at Horse Ranch with Warm Glow from Low Sun | Cowboy on Rearing Horse Adds Dynamic Element
sessionwarm glowatmospherehorseslow sunranchCappadocia
In Paşabağları, Cappadocia, Turkey, an engagement photo session captures her in soft light within a cave. He stands at a distance, framed by a round opening in the stone cave wall, creating a picturesque and intimate composition.
Engagement Session in Paşabağları, Cappadocia, Turkey | She is in Soft Light Inside Cave | He is Framed by Round Stone Opening, Creating Picturesque and Intimate Composition
scenicromanticpicturesquecaveengagement sessionintimateatmosphere
In Breckenridge, Colorado, a couple snuggles amidst vibrant yellow aspen leaves. Captured in a vertical shot, their warm embrace and smiling faces create a cozy and inviting scene, highlighting the beauty of the autumn landscape.
Couple Snuggles in Breckenridge, Colorado, Amidst Vibrant Yellow Aspen Leaves | Vertical Shot Captures Warm Embrace and Smiling Faces | Cozy Scene Highlights Autumn Beauty
snugglesAspenBreckenridgevertical shotleavesatmosphereromantic
At Lands End in San Francisco, CA, a couple poses for their engagement portrait near a row of tree trunks. The natural pattern formed by the trees creates a unique, textured backdrop that enhances the beauty of the photo session.
Couple at Lands End, San Francisco, CA, in Engagement Portrait | Posing Near Row of Tree Trunks | Natural Tree Pattern Creates Textured Backdrop Enhancing Photo
CA Engagement CoupleCaliforniaphoto sessionLands Endlovetree trunksscenic
In their engagement session at Rocky Mountain National Park, the photographer's on-location lighting beautifully accentuates the scene. The couple is before lush green pastures, majestic mountains, and dramatic clouds, in a stunning and romantic atm
Engagement Session at Rocky Mountain National Park | Couple Amid Lush Pastures and Majestic Mountains | Dramatic Clouds in a Romantic Atmosphere
mountainsDramaticgreenColoradoRocky Mountainoutdoorscouple
In Trieste, Italy, a couple embraces amid the glow of Christmas lights. The soft bokeh circles gently frame their warm hug and pleasant expressions, creating a festive and enchanting atmosphere.
Couple in Trieste, Italy, Embraces Amid Christmas Lights | Soft Bokeh Circles Frame Warm Hug | Festive and Enchanting Atmosphere
pleasantembracehugromanticbokehChristmascelebration
In Trieste, Italy, a couple embraces amid the glow of Christmas lights. Soft bokeh circles against a red background gently frame their warm hug in a festive and heartwarming atmosphere.
Couple in Trieste, Italy, Embraces Amid Christmas Lights | Soft Bokeh Circles on Red Background Frame Warm Hug | Festive, Holiday Atmosphere
atmosphereintimatefestivebackgroundcityromanticcouple
In Collingwood, a couple strolls through a cozy alleyway at night, surrounded by red brick walls. The soft glow of string lights overhead adds a warm and intimate atmosphere to their evening engagement session.
Couple Strolls Through Cozy Collingwood Alleyway at Night | Surrounded by Red Brick Walls | String Lights Create Warm, Intimate Atmosphere for Engagement Session
strollNightOntarioEngagementCollingwoodsoftromantic
A couple shares a kiss on Dollymount Strand, Dublin, set against a backdrop of dramatic clouds and a stormy beach at low tide. The image captures the cool, romantic atmosphere of the session.
Couple Shares Kiss on Dollymount Strand, Dublin | Dramatic Clouds and Stormy Beach at Low Tide Create Cool, Romantic Atmosphere
scenicIrelandsessiontideoutdoorsstormyclouds
An engaged couple sits outside Sono 1420 brewery at dusk, with strings of lights illuminating the scene. A red brick wall serves as the backdrop, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Engaged Couple at Sono 1420 Brewery at Dusk | String Lights and Red Brick Wall Create Warm, Inviting Atmosphere
engagedinvitingwallLightsromanticdusksono
At SoNo 1420, a destination craft distillery in South Norwalk, CT, an engaged couple enjoys a cozy portrait session on a couch in a dimly lit area. Sharing a beverage, they bask in the warm and intimate atmosphere of the distillery.
Engaged Couple Enjoys Portrait Session at SoNo 1420 Distillery, South Norwalk, CT, Sharing Beverage on Cozy Couch in Dim Light
beveragelovecouplecozyNorwalk CTcheersintimate
At The Heritage Centre in Cremona, a romantic photograph features the bride and groom facing each other in a room illuminated by candles. The warm ambiance and backlit silhouettes enhance the intimate atmosphere.
Bride and Groom's Silhouettes Illuminate Intimate Candlelit Portrait at The Heritage Centre in Cremona, Italy
backlitwarmroomfacingromanticambianceHeritage Centre Cremona
At the groom's sister's farmhouse in Umbria, a wide-angle shot from above captures guests at the table toasting with the newlyweds. The scene is framed by the lush vegetation of the terrace, adding a natural and intimate atmosphere to the celebration.
Guests Toast Newlyweds Amid Lush Terraced Vegetation at Farmhouse in Umbria
wide angleUmbria celebrationUmbrialush Umbria terraceatmosphereItalian farmhouse scenefarmhouse
In Ingelheim, Germany, the wedding couple share a kiss amidst the vineyards, captured in a black-and-white photo with symmetrical framing that places them at the center, enhancing the timeless and intimate atmosphere.
Couple's Kiss Centered in Symmetrical Black-and-White Vineyard Portrait in Ingelheim, Germany Wedding Scene
timeless vineyard embraceIngelheim weddingkissGermany vineyard romancesymmetrical wedding sceneintimacyGermany
In Méribel, nestled within the French Alps, a beautiful wedding day walk unfolds against the backdrop of breathtaking alpine scenery. The mountains and serene environment provide a romantic atmosphere.
Couple's Romantic Wedding Walk Unfolds Amidst Breathtaking Alpine Scenery in Méribel, French Alps
sereneAlpinebreathtakingFrancemountainsatmosphereMéribel wedding day
In London, UK, a couple is captured in a black-and-white portrait, arms lovingly wrapped around each other. Above them, muted foliage adds depth and layers to the image, in a serene and intimate atmosphere.
Couple Embraced in Black-and-White Portrait in London, UK, with Muted Foliage Above - Serene and Intimate Atmosphere
intimatemuted foliageoutdoorslayersurbandepthatmosphere
At Finca La Concepción in Marbella, Spain, a vibrant dusk shot captures the active party scene on the outdoor dance floor during the evening reception. Guests are seen dancing and enjoying the festivities beneath the dark blue illuminated twilight sky.
Guests Revel on Vibrant Outdoor Dance Floor at Finca La Concepción, Marbella
duskcapturing joyous celebrationcelebrationSpainvibrantFinca La Concepción twilightjoy
At a wedding venue in Nanning, Guangxi, the atmosphere is filled with emotion, creating a warm and unforgettable moment that captures the joy and deep sentiment of the bride in tears.
Bride's Tears Capture Emotional Joy in Unforgettable Moment at Nanning Wedding Venue, Guangxi
atmosphereGuangxiemotioncapturing emotional warmthGuangxi warmthGuangxi bride tearsheartfelt bridal joy
A silhouetted couple shares a kiss inside a building in Baltimore, Maryland, enhanced by dramatic lighting and rich colors that create an atmospheric scene.
Dramatic Silhouettes: Couple Shares Enchanting Kiss Amidst Rich Colors and Lighting in Baltimore Setting
Baltimore lightingindoorsMaryland dramatic sceneBaltimorerich color silhouettescapturing atmospheric romanceBaltimore romantic kiss
Groom nervously attempts imperfect fist bumps during the wedding processional at University of Maryland Hotel. A lighthearted moment amid the ceremony's formal atmosphere.
Groom's Nervous Charm Shines at University of Maryland Hotel Ceremony
imperfect fist bumpsfist bumpsnervouslightheartedMarylandMaryland Hotel weddingnervous groom moment
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.
Couple's Joyful Moment Warms Airlie Celebration
head tabletoastsatmospherewarmthVirginiaTogethernesscelebration
At Capela dos Milagres, guests attentively watch as the bride makes her entrance into the seaside chapel, adding a sense of anticipation and romance to the coastal setting.
Anticipation and Romance: Bride's Entrance Captivates Guests at Seaside Capela dos Milagres Wedding Ceremony
AlagoasBrazil weddingentranceatmosphereanticipationAnticipated Bridal Entranceexcitement
At MacCallum House in Mendocino, CA, the bride and groom share laughter and smiles during the toast, surrounded by an extravagant floral setting at the head table. The moment reflects their joy and the celebration's beauty.
Bride and Groom Toast to Joyful Moments at MacCallum House
floralMacCallum House MendocinoMacCallum HouseCalifornia - NorthernMendocino Floral CelebrationCA weddinglove
At Hotel Milagres, a young girl assists the groom as he prepares for the wedding. This tender moment highlights the supportive and joyful atmosphere of the occasion.
Young Girl Lends a Hand to Groom at Hotel Milagres
occasionweddingloveHotel Milagrestendertender supportive gesturejoyful wedding atmosphere
Outside The Surprise Pub in London, UK, the bride, groom, and wedding guests gather together, captured from across the street. The distant shot highlights the lively, communal atmosphere of the celebration.
Street-Side Gathering: Festive Wedding Celebration at The Surprise Pub
gatheringTogethernessguestsLondonLively Wedding Atmospherejoyful street celebrationThe Surprise Pub
At a reception venue in Krakow, Malopolskie, a couple shares a passionate kiss at their table while other guests laugh and enjoy the celebration around them.
Passionate Moment Amidst Joyful Wedding Celebration in Małopolska
intimacytablecouple kissjoyKrakowMalopolskiecelebration
At Camp Katur in Yorkshire, England, young wedding guests joyfully play with bubbles. The playful scene adds a touch of delight to the celebration.
Young Guests Bring Playful Joy to Camp Katur Wedding
Yorkshire Bubble PlayEnglandcheerfunUK weddingBedale UKCamp Katur
At a reception venue in Krakow, Malopolskie, the groom playfully gestures to the bride in the middle of the dance floor, surrounded by friends and a lively party atmosphere.
Groom's Playful Gesture Captures Joyous Krakow Wedding Celebration
gestureplayfuljoyatmospherekrakow weddingsLively Celebration AtmosphereKrakow
At Smedmore House in Dorset, UK, two wedding guests share a romantic kiss under an umbrella in the rain, outside the tent at night.
Rain-Kissed Romance: A Dorset Wedding Celebration at Smedmore House
Rainy Night KissumbrellaguestsDorset Romantic Momentloveromanticcozy

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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.