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Wedding Photos of Lighting

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The following “Lighting” 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 “Lighting” 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
vibrantromanticNew Jersey Wedding EngagementsunlightscenicTulip Fieldsnj couple
At Rocky Mountain National Park, a couple shares an embrace during their engagement session at a scenic lookout point. Captured in a vertical image, the photographer's lighting highlights their "top of the world" feel amidst the breathtaking backdr
Couple at Rocky Mountain National Park in Engagement Session | Embracing at Scenic Lookout | Vertical Image with Lighting Among Breathtaking Backdrop
lightingbreathtakingColoradoembracemountainsportraitRocky Mountain National Park
In Rocky Mountain National Park, a couple's engagement session captures them in an embrace at a scenic lookout point. The photographer's lighting accentuates their warm pose, complemented by dramatic clouds in the backdrop.
Couple at Rocky Mountain National Park for Engagement Session | Embracing at Scenic Lookout Point | Photographer's Lighting Accentuates Pose with Dramatic Cloud Backdrop
warmoutdoorsportraitcloudsphotographerlightingCO engagement
During their engagement session at Rocky Mountain National Park, a couple shares a kiss at a scenic lookout point. The photographer's lighting highlights their embrace amidst soft clouds, with distant mountaintops visible through the haze.
Couple at Rocky Mountain National Park Engagement Session | Sharing Kiss at Scenic Lookout Point | Embrace Amidst Soft Clouds and Hazy Distant Mountaintops
photographerlightingLookoutColorado engagementcloudsColoradoscenic
In their engagement session at Rocky Mountain National Park, the photographer's lighting beautifully highlights the couple's embrace. They stand amidst dramatic clouds, creating a captivating and atmospheric setting that adds depth to their romantic sessi
Rocky Mountain National Park Engagement Session | Embrace Amidst Dramatic Clouds | Captivating and Atmospheric Setting Adds Depth to Romantic Session
embracelovephotographerscenicmountainromanticsession
During their engagement session at Rocky Mountain National Park, a couple strikes an intimate pose atop a mountain. The photographer’s on-location lighting accentuates the setting, highlighting their connection against the expansive backdrop.
Couple at Rocky Mountain National Park | Intimate Engagement Session Atop Mountain | On-Location Lighting Highlights Connection
lightingoutdoorsNationalphotographermountainexpansiveromance
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
National Parkstunninglushtogethercloudsmajesticlighting
In Sono 1420, an engaged couple sits at a bar, enjoying a drink together. Under soft studio-style lighting, their intimate toast captures the warmth and connection of their engagement, highlighting their shared joy and anticipation.
Engaged Couple Toadting at Sono 1420 Bar, Under Soft Lighting, Highlighting Warmth and Connection of Their Engagement
lovecheerswarmthlightingSono 1420intimateindoors
In the dimly lit interior of Chateau Pape Clement, France, an engaged couple sits with eyes locked, face to face. The subdued lighting casts a mystery around them.
Engaged Couple in Chateau Pape Clement, France, Sitting Face to Face | Dim Lighting Casts Mystery Around the Intimate Scene
Girondesubduedintimateromanticengagedtogetherlighting
In Cazorla, Spain, the couple is elegantly seated on the steps outside, beautifully lit by the photographer to enhance the intimate ambiance.
Couple Elegantly Seated on Steps, Intimately Lit for Romantic Portrait in Cazorla, Spain
Spain photographerstepsCazorla SpaincoupleintimateCazorla couple ambianceelegant steps romance
Near their ceremony location in Fort Collins, Colorado, the bride and groom share a heartfelt dip at sunset, beautifully lit by the photographer to capture warmth and romance.
Bride and Groom Share Heartfelt Sunset Dip, Captured with Warm Lighting Near Fort Collins Ceremony
romantic sunset dipsunset dipbride and groomFort Collins romantic momentromancedipFort Collins bridal scene
At the Cork Factory Hotel, the wedding party strikes dramatic poses in the ceremony and reception space, presenting a challenging shot for the photographer due to the need to effectively light a large group indoors.
Wedding Party's Challenging Indoor Portrait at the Cork Factory Hotel Ceremony Space
PennsylvaniareceptionSpacefunlarge groupfriendscandid
Sun-kissed wedding details in Toronto captured in this photo - see the bride's elegant shoes, sparkling rings, and delicate perfume in perfect lighting and shadows.
Sunlit Elegance: Bride's Shoes, Rings, and Perfume in Toronto Wedding Detail
wedding detailsperfumeTorontoshadowselegant bridal accessoriesperfect lightingshoes
This wedding day portrait, taken at Vazon Bay in Guernsey, showcases the artistic vision of a talented photographer. The silhouetted couple and joy are beautifully conveyed through the clever composition and lighting.
Radiant Silhouettes: Joyful Wedding Portrait at Vazon Bay, Guernsey
clever compositionjoyArtistic VisionVazon BaysilhouetteGuernseyoutdoors
Captured by a WPJA photographer, this striking wedding portrait at Ashton Gardens Atlanta showcases the perfect mix of off-camera flash and natural sunlight, creating intriguing shadows and stunning contrast.
Light and Shadow: Striking Wedding Portrait at Ashton Gardens Atlanta
lightingAtlantastriking wedding portraitoff camera flashMemorableartisticAshton Gardens
A bride walks alone towards the camera in a town square in Ascoli Piceno, illuminated by the photographer's lighting.
Ascoli Piceno Bride, Illuminated by Love, Walks Toward Her Future.
Ascoli Picenoalone wedding portraitilluminatedbride walksalonetown squareAscoli
A bride and groom stand together in a private garden at their Denver, Colorado, wedding venue. The groom stands behind the bride, and both are illuminated by the photographer's lighting.
Denver Garden Wedding: Bride and Groom in Illuminated Embrace
illuminatedilluminated couple poselightinggardenDenverprivateColorado
An artistic wedding couple portrait at Maisenburg, featuring creative framing and the ambient DJ lighting at the venue.
Maisenburg Wedding: Artistic Couple Portrait, Creative Framing, Ambient DJ Lighting.
weddingdjMaisenburgportraitcreative framing weddingcreativecouple
A bride poses for a solo portrait in Beylerbeyi, Istanbul, Turkey. The photographer's lighting highlights her reflection in a large wall mirror during the wedding day session.
Istanbul Bride's Reflection: A Moment of Beauty Before the Ceremony.
IstanbullightingmirrorbrideBeylerbeyi wedding photographyweddingreflection
A paper and bridal accessories detail shot in beautiful Montpellier, France. Expertly captured by a WPJA photographer with contrast and good lighting.
Paper and Bridal Accessories in Montpellier, France
paper detail photographyMontpelliercontrast lighting weddingdetailsMontpellier wedding detailsbridal accessoriesWPJA
An epic wedding day portrait at Vail Golf Club, Vail, Colorado, features the newlyweds against a stunning Colorado mountain backdrop. The photographer's lighting enhances the beauty of the scene.
Epic Vail Wedding: Colorado Mountains & Newlyweds in Stunning Light
Colorado MountainslightingVailepicweddingVail weddingColorado
A group portrait of a bride and her girls dancing together in the dramatic lighting of Hambacher Schloss, creating a bold and dynamic image.
HAMBACHER SCHLOSS | Bold Wedding Portrait in Dramatic Light
brideimagelightingRhineland Palatinate wedding venuegirlsdynamicportrait
At the front of St John the Baptist church in Clayton, West Sussex, England, the bride and groom jointly light a ceremonial candle in this detailed wedding day photo.
CLAYTON | Beautiful wedding ceremony detail shot of candle lighting at St. John the Baptist Church
groombeautifulceremonyweddingbrideClayton UK photographersClayton UK couple picture
A French couple stands in silhouette, framed by the warm, backlit light at an arch door at a castle in Loudenvielle.
LOUDENVIELLE | French Couple in Silhouette at Backlit Arch Door in Castle
Loudenvielle photographerwarmbacklitcastlelightingDramaticlove
At their wedding reception in Phuket, the newlyweds are captured cutting their cake in a grand ballroom that exudes elegance and fine style. Warm tones and repeating patterns of decoration elements and lighting create a sophisticated atmosphere.
Sophistication and Elegance Reign at Newlyweds' Cake Cutting at Phuket Wedding
warm tonescake cuttinggrand ballroomElegancelightingfine stylePhuket
A breathtaking night portrait of a stylish couple walking down the front steps of the Library of Congress in Washington DC on their wedding day. The elegant pair is beautifully illuminated by soft lighting, creating a romantic and memorable scene.
Romantic Night Portrait: Stylish Couple Descending Library of Congress Steps, Washington DC Wedding Day
librarycoupleelegantNightwalkingCongressWashington DC
A candid documentary-style photo of a bride and groom sharing a tender minute together in Hyderabad, India, captured in a beautifully backlit scene with warm lamp lighting.
Tender Moment in Hyderabad: Bride and Groom Embrace in Warmly Lit Documentary Shot
styleromanticlightingHyderabad Wedding Portraitgroombacklitbride
A couple's lifestyle portrait at Albi, France, showcases their connection as they peer through a fractured window. The photographer's use of blue lighting beautifully highlights the intricate web of cracks.
Romantic Engagement Session | Albi, France | Peering Through Fractured Beauty
photographerlifestyle portraitsPeerFranceengaged couplewindowBlue
In a dimly lit room, a romantic couple in Nanning, China, embraces with the rainbow hues of light illuminating their faces in a captivating wedding shot.
Captivating Rainbow Embrace: A Glamorous Nanning Wedding Portrait Illuminated by Love
bride and groomlightingChina photographerfacesChinaromantic embracerainbow
The bride, groom, and their daughter share a loving dance in a romantic setting, surrounded by beautiful lighting and soap bubbles in Ardeche, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
The bride, groom, and their daughter share a loving dance in a romantic setting, surrounded by beautiful lighting and soap bubbles in Ardeche, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
bride and groomArdeche wedding photographyArdecheromantic settingloving dancelightingred light

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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.