Wedding Photos of Intimate

The following “Intimate” 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 “Intimate” 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.

A beautiful moment captured at Chateau Saint Denis in Lot et Garonne, France; the bride's intimate preparations in soft light, shown in silhouette next to a window on her wedding day.

Silhouette Of Bride's Intimate Preparations At Chateau Saint Denis In Lot Et Garonne

A beautiful wedding couple portrait captured under the Milky Way in the garden of Chateau Saint Denis in Lot et Garonne, France.

Romantic Wedding Couple Embracing Beneath Milky Way at Chateau Saint Denis in Lot et Garonne

ethereal idyllic Château Saint Denis radiant enchanting breathtaking blissful

A picturesque wedding photograph of a glowing mist enveloping newlyweds in Dorsoduro, Venice, evoking an artistic painting-like ambiance on their special day.

Enveloped in Glowing Mist: A Romantic Wedding Portrait in Dorsoduro, Venice, Capturing Timeless Beauty

tender mystical romantic love elegant joyful misty

A funny moment at Wild Basin Lodge in Colorado captured on the wedding day, as the groom warms up by the fireplace after the chilly ceremony, creating a cozy and intimate atmosphere.

Groom's Charismatic Cozy-up by Fireplace at Wild Basin Lodge Wedding In Colorado

lodge fireplace husband Colorado cozy Allenspark wedding photographer Allenspark

Emotional bride shedding tears while embracing groom at Woodlands in Cottonwood Canyon Bozeman MT, captured in a timeless black and white photograph on their wedding day.

Tears of Love: Emotional Bride Embracing Groom in Timeless Black and White at Woodlands Bozeman

memory happiness capture embrace Bozeman wedding photography pre ceremony black and white

A photo taken at Feligonde's Castle in France during a wedding celebration, showing the bride and groom sharing a quiet, intimate moment as they light their cigarettes together, symbolizing unity and connection in marriage.

Romantic Moment at Feligonde's Castle: Bride and Groom Light Cigarettes, Symbolizing Unity in Marriage

marriage intimate quiet Unity Puy-de-Dôme Sayat wedding celebration

A romantic shot at a picture-perfect outdoor wedding in Udaipur, Rajasthan, capturing the love and joy between two people against a gorgeous sunset backdrop.

A Romantic Sunset Moment at an Idyllic Outdoor Wedding in Udaipur, Rajasthan

meaningful clouds picturesque couple India dramatic sky Udaipur

A wedding photograph taken in Ellsworth, Maine, showing the couple stealing a quiet session together by the lake just before a rain shower arrives.

Stealing a Quiet Moment: Idyllic Ellsworth Lakeside Wedding Before Rainstorm arrives

love peaceful atmospheric Ellsworth ME tender stolen session emotional

A romantic couple captured in an intimate embrace during their outdoor portrait session at Borgo Tre Rose Hotel in Montepulciano, beautifully highlighted by the soft backlight.

Romantic Couple Embraced in Intimate Portrait at Borgo Tre Rose Hotel, Montepulciano Backlight Beauty

embrace romantic couple outdoor portrait Borgo Tre Rose Hotel highlighted wedding love beautiful

Wedding day photo featuring a bride and groom in an intimate embrace in a charming village alley in Valbonne, Alpes-Maritimes.

Intimate Embrace: Bride and Groom Radiate Love in Charming Valbonne Alley, Alpes-Maritimes

happiness Charming Valbonne Wedding Portrait intimate Alpes-Maritimes wedding photo alley

A newlywed couple stands under an umbrella on their wedding day at Barn at Flanagan Farm. The intimate image captures the romance of their special day in the rain, with a dark and moody background adding a touch of drama.

Rainy Romance: Newlyweds under Umbrella at the Barn at Flanagan Farm in Maine

Buxton ME Maine moody background rain newlywed image wedding photo couple

A romantic couple stands inside a church in Lugos, France, sharing a tender kiss on their wedding day. The indoor setting features dramatic low lighting, adding to the intimate and romantic atmosphere of the session.

Romantic Couple Embracing Love: A Tender Kiss Inside Lugos Church, France, on Wedding Day

atmosphere Lugos Gironde indoor session low lighting church romantic couple

A candid moment from a wedding at Esseborne Manor Hotel in Andover, Hampshire, UK, where the bride attentively checks on arriving guests as her friend helps her with her shoe, captured in a behind-the-scenes documentary style.

The Bride's Thoughtful Act: A Candid Wedding Moment at Esseborne Manor Hotel, Andover, Hampshire

bridal United Kingdom Esseborne Manor Hotel intimate candid wedding photography friend bride

At Costa Verde Hotel in Puntarenas, a wedding couple exits the ceremony as guests cheer, captured from a low camera angle with symmetrical framing.

Blissful Beginnings: A Couple's Journey at Costa Verde Hotel in Puntarenas

tropical destination Arenal Volcano Costa Rica Monteverde National Park beachside resort Caribbean Sea coast newlyweds

A black and white lifestyle couple portrait in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The couple is lying on a bench on their backs, facing opposite directions, while attempting to make eye contact with each other.

BW LOVE STORY | ARTISTICALLY CAPTURED ENGAGEMENT PORTRAIT UNVEILS INTIMATE BENCH ENCOUNTER

bw engagement portrait Pigeon Forge intimate tennessee engagement photography Engaged couple portrait artistic TN photographer Tennessee

A picturesque couple's portrait captured in Estes Park, Co. The setting of the breathtaking mountains provides a stunning backdrop as the newly-engaged couple share an intimate pose, with him standing behind her and her gaze fixed on him.

Captivating Beauty | A Breathtaking Engagement Portrait in Estes Park, Co

forest Estes Park engagement photography picturesque trees Colorado romantic couple Estes Park

Beautifully captured by the engagement photographer, this lifestyle couple portrait at Winter Park, FL showcases a couple's funny and intimate session as they embrace under the tall, warm-toned trees.

Stunning Winter Park, FL Engagement | Intimate and Hilarious Couple Portrait Surrounded by Nature

Winter Park Florida photography engagement photographer forest Winter Park FL couple portrait session engaged couple FL photographer

A creative pre-wedding engagement portrait in Lyon, France, featuring a face to face silhouetted couple hugging indoors. The intimate pose beautifully captured by the photographer in their Lyon flat.

GLAMOROUS ENGAGEMENT PORTRAIT | LYON, FRANCE | A SEDUCTIVE SILHOUETTE

silhouette stylish engagement photoshoot Lyon sophisticated elegant France engagement shoot French romance

Albi, France: Lifestyle couple portrait featuring a graphic location with warm tones, curving lines, and minimalist decor. Tea-type lights beautifully highlight the scene and couple as they pose for the photographer.

ALBI, FRANCE | Warm Tones, Curving Lines: Intimate Wedding Portrait Glam

intimate wedding portrait French Engagement Photographer minimalist engagement session Albi Curving Lines couple portraits

A stylish and intimate engagement portrait of a couple taking a stroll through the urban streets of Raleigh, NC. The black and white composition captures a gritty vibe, showcasing their love in a unique setting.

CAPTIVATING URBAN ROMANCE | A Gritty and Glamorous Engagement Session in Raleigh, NC

walking black and white Lifestyle Portraits North Carolina intimate bw Raleigh Romance streets

An award-winning wedding day photographer captured a close-up shot in Poitiers, France, showcasing a flower on the groom's lapel, beautifully illuminated by a spot of sunlight.

Soleil-Filled Poitiers: A Radiant Lapel Blossom in Wedding's Close-Up

Vienne French wedding details wedding day memories Poitiers Wedding Photography Poitiers groom elegant Poitiers weddings love

Capturing the intimacy amidst nature's beauty, this award-winning image showcases the newlyweds in a private session on a mountain rock, near their ceremony location in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Mountain Rock Magic: A Stunning Wedding Moment in Fort Collins

Colorado grooms portrait newlyweds fall mountain artistic groom portrait foliage

Award-winning wedding photographer captures a striking black and white image in Toulouse, France. Through a minimalist approach, the photo showcases a man enjoying a drink behind a wall, with a clean and visually captivating composition.

Minimalist Delight: Captivating Toulouse Wedding Shot Reveals Man's Refreshing Respite

creative composition romantic French wedding bw artistic wedding photography hand Timeless Beauty intimate

A loving couple poses for a lifestyle portrait in Cornwall, UK. The tight shot captures their joyful smiles against a white background, beautifully composed by the photographer.

Celestial Love: Capturing Joyful Smiles in a Cornwall Lifestyle Couple Portrait

photoshoot smiles Cornwall UK wedding photographer couple portrait United Kingdom poses Cornwall

Lifestyle couple portrait in Taormina, Sicily. The lovely couple is seen in elegant earth tones, leaning against each other and a natural rock wall formation.

Elevated Elegance: A Stunning Engagement Portrayed in Sicily's Timeless Beauty

Sicily newly engaged couple elegant Sicily photography natural couple portrait photography Engagement photography

Capturing love in the Italian Alps, this award-winning portrait showcases a passionate couple bathed in warm, romantic light during a breathtaking sunset in Biella, Italy.

Amore in the Italian Alps: A Passionate Couple's Breathtaking Sunset

Piedmont married couple Artful newlyweds creative portrait late afternoon Passionate

Award-winning wedding photographer captures a romantic encounter at Domaine de Larchey, Gironde. The couple stands together, their faces inches apart, creating a stunning and heartfelt portrait.

Intimate Embrace: A Captivating Portrait at Domaine de Larchey, Gironde

heartfelt Gironde Domaine de Larchey bridal portrait romantic captivating portrait Gironde weddings

Wedding portrait captured in Villefranche de Lonchat, Dordogne, France. A couple embraces, her tender touch on the groom's face, on the brink of a kiss, amidst a black and white ambiance with a gentle haze.

VILLEFRANCHE DE LONCHAT: A Captivating Embrace in the French Countryside

portrait photography newlyweds Artistic wedding photographer in Dordogne france weddings artistic portrait sessions ambiance bride and groom

An award-winning wedding photographer captures the romantic essence of the bride and groom at The Gatsby in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, England.

Captured Romance: The Gatsby Love Story in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, England

Festivities captivating The Gatsby romance timeless enchanting artistic wedding photographer

In this wedding photo taken at Piney River Ranch near Vail, CO, the groom tenderly kisses the bride amidst the serene beauty of the mountains and mesmerizing reflections in the river.

Pristine Passion: A Portrait of Endless Love in the Majestic Colorado Mountains

Passionate romantic Artsy bride and groom Colorado married couple artistic portrait sessions

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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.