It’s no secret that these are strange times we’re going through right now, and there are many couples out there with weddings set in the near future who are left feeling uncertain and concerned about their futures. While that’s understandable, it’s also important to remember the reason you’re getting married in the first place; not for the grand celebration, but because you love each other and want to be together. REMEMBER WHAT'S IMPORTANT You’re in this position now, about to get married, for...Read more
Are you planning a short-notice, small wedding or elopement?
WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIOS ARE OPEN - Many couples don’t want to wait. They are planning to get married in the very near future, eloping, or rushing a small ceremony with their photographer, some close friends, and family but dispensing with or postponing the reception party.
View WPJA photo stories from smaller weddings - WedElope | Choose love, not fear!
California - Northern Wedding Photographers
Wedding Photographers of California - Northern, United States
Northern California Cities: Santa Clara, Oakland, Shasta Lake, Napa, Lake Tahoe, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Jose, Alameda, Vallejo, Sunnyvale
California - Northern Elopement Photographers
YOU CAN'T STOP LOVE - In recent days, some of our North America photographer vendors have expressed their desire to accommodate couples who don’t want to wait to be married and are rushing the ceremony.
Many brides and grooms around the globe are planning to elope and deciding to reschedule their original ideas for a big event because of current wedding size restrictions, social distancing, and mask requirements. They are getting wed on a whim, but dispensing with or postponing all else.
The WPJA has an abundance of top-ranked, documentary-style elopement photographers who are available right now who understand that some weddings can’t wait. Find yours today!
Most Recent WPJA WedElope Story Awards
Elopement Photographers for Small United States Weddings
Shooting an elopement or small California - Northern wedding event is a wedding photojournalist’s dream: a fairly open schedule with lots of breathing space for creativity – it’s just the photographer, the couple, the officiant, and perhaps a few select companions.
Members are ready to document any city hall, themed, justice of the peace, or elopement wedding, even if it is a Monday-Thursday ceremony. Search for the “Can Shoot Weddings on Short Notice!” message on the listings below.
We are anxious to create a picture story chronicling your casual, boutique, non-traditional, small wedding from beginning to end. In this sense, it is no different from any other event that we have covered. The emphasis is on documenting key moments, capturing spontaneous displays of emotion, telling your real love story, as well as creating artistic portraits and details.
Map of Wedding Photojournalists Serving California - Northern Couples
46 Documentary Wedding Photographers...
Hey! I am Kevin Sawyer. I am an international award winning destination wedding photographer and am based in the Lake Tahoe area. I strive at making a photojournalism type approach to your wedding day and at the same time making those "moments" into art. I live with my very beautiful wife and our two amazing pups! [Lake Tahoe Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
3000 (USD)
Joyce Perlman lives in San Francisco and Mendocino, California, where she is best known for her images of fine art wedding photography. Her particular style utilizes a blend of documentary photography with contemporary portraiture; stylish and sophisticated. She has a sophisticated style that transcends trends. Associated with The Saret Gallery, formerly The Photographers Gallery of Palo Alto, she contributed to the education of the public in the aesthetic and technical aspects of photography for many years. Joyce's work experience includes directing design for visual communication media in the consumer, business and education markets for Apple Computer, Adobe Systems , Amazon and Electronic Arts. She is a well-known professional resource to the creative community for high-quality design and photography. Joyce studied fine art history and advertising at Syracuse University in New York, London, England and Florence, Italy. [San Francisco Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
4200 (USD)
Years ago, Papa presented me with one of his spare cameras to play with. Eventually, I learned that photography was much more than simply pointing and clicking. Starting out with a Pentax Honeywell film camera, I learned what proper exposure and composition were through many many discarded photos. Even as I inevitably created garbage, Papa would always encourage me by picking up my photos at the store or buying me more film and better equipment. All those years I didn't want to just throw myself out there as a "photographer" until I was sure I knew what I was doing. Photographing family and friends' events, working as a nightclub photographer, and getting the right gear has all been necessities along the way. A wonderful support system pushed me to better myself in it. San Francisco Bay Area Wedding Photographer with a focus on moments, with a kick of humor and creativity! I hope to give you images that are unique and don't look like anyone else's, and to capture beautiful moments that don't look too posed :D [San Francisco Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
2850 (USD)
I’ve had a camera in my hand since I can remember. On family vacations each of us had a camera and would come back with several rolls of film. It was great to see different perspectives of the same place. My photos became more refined throughout my childhood as I graduated to my stepdad’s Minolta film SLR. As a teenager and self professed “scene-kid” my interests turned to boys, music and books so my photos changed as well. I would deck myself out in black eyeliner weekly to shoot photographs of my favorite musicians. Bands are still one of my favorite photo subjects by the way, so be prepared if you get me started talking about them. In college I dedicated myself to photography professionally with a degree in photojournalism, then found my calling with a wedding studio at 19. I’ve since been published in Paste and XLR8R print magazines as well as Billboard Online, Tahoe Unveiled, Borrowed and Blue, The Knot, and Wedding Wire Blogs. On a more personal note, I’m a former Michigander who has called north Lake Tahoe her home since October 2011. I still miss Michigan beer (the best in the world, don’t argue), cherries, pasties (savory meat pies found in the UP) and warm nights but I couldn’t imagine living anywhere but Tahoe. I’m fascinated by all the quirky, wild, backwoods parts of America and I’m only missing four states on my quest to 50; Oklahoma, New Mexico, Maine and Alaska. I love all things outdoors. I hike or mountain bike almost every day with my Irish Wolfhound/Greyhound mix, Lindy and my big crazy Great Dane Captain. I also love to ski (badly), SUP and kayak, and volunteer with Achieve Tahoe. When I’m not shooting, sleeping or eating popcorn, I’m probably with my husband of almost one year, Keegan! [Lake Tahoe Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
500 (USD)
I am a traveling Reno-Tahoe and Austin, TX-based photographer that loves photographing people: whether it's doing what they love or with the people that they love. I have a Bachelor of the Sciences in Radio-TV-Film from the University of Texas at Austin, a healthy dose of sarcasm, and a voice loud enough to get your Uncle Joe to step in line during family formals. I believe that your wedding day is a day where you should celebrate with your friends and family, and not a photoshoot where you happen to get married. [Lake Tahoe Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
4200 (USD)
Equipped with a background in graphics design, the attention to composition is key to my images. I have a very simple philosophy and style: I shoot life, as it happens. I thrive on shooting split-second moments that mark life-altering experiences: an extended gaze, a touch of the hand, a tearful smile. I capture the details that few people notice, the moments everyone wants to remember, and ultimately the feelings that can be relived, over and over, for years and decades to come. [San Jose Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
4000 (USD)
Chris has had a great love for art since he was a young boy. At age of 15, he earned his first second-hand camera from his father. Since then, he was always “the photographer” among his friends and family. He finally turned this passion into his profession in 2007. Wedding is one of the events Chris loves to shoot. He believes it is one of the most beautiful and joyful event in life, and he understands how every moment, from engagement to the end of the wedding day, means to the couples and their families. Through his artistic eyes and un-obstructive approach, Chris documents these precious moments into elegant, story-telling photographic images that the couples can cherish. Chris is a destination wedding photographer based in San Francisco, California. [San Francisco Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
4500 (USD)
I love telling stories with photographs. When photographing a wedding I aim to capture authentic and unscripted expressions of beauty, love, and human connection. I was drawn to photography primarily because of the power of still images. Well made photographs have the capacity to preserve our most cherished memories — shared experiences with the people we love. Your wedding celebration will likely include the most important people in your life. The photos that we create together will become a time capsule and a family heirloom for your own memories and to pass on to future generations. Moments are fragile. My relaxed personality helps people to feel comfortable allowing moments to thrive. Organic and natural moments will make up the majority of your photo story. I’ll also create artistic portraits, group photos, and images of architecture, landscapes, details, and decor. With over ten years of experience, my team and I have developed a method and approach that enables us to document the action in a way that you and your guests will barely notice our presence. A question I often get asked at weddings is “how do you know the couple?” My easygoing nature and friendly rapport with everyone leads many guests to assume I’ve been friends with the couple for ages and perhaps I’m simply another guest (who also has a camera and loves photography). Acceptance as part of the inner circle gives me access and helps establish trust. This enables me and my team to get close to the action and to document artistically without being a distraction. From intimate micro weddings and elopements to really big multiple day celebrations and destination weddings — my team and I have photographed weddings and other projects throughout the San Francisco Bay Area where I live, all over the world, and in nearly every state across the USA. (We do offer special pricing for micro weddings and elopements). If you want your wedding photos to embody the energy, passion, character and love of you and your family and friends, let’s chat more. If you love photographs that tell a story and express the true beauty of unscripted, genuine moments – I’d love to hear from you. I proudly support equal marriage rights and LGBTQ+ weddings. When not travelling for a photo project I live in Oakland, CA with my sweet-lady and a little lemon tree in the backyard. [San Francisco Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
3500 (USD)
Growing up in the Pacific islands, I am passionate about living adventurously and connecting deeply with the earth. Nature was my first muse. Community, culture, and conservation are important to me - I believe that we all have a responsibility to do our part to protect nature while enjoying what it has to offer. I live in beautiful Lake Tahoe and love photographing destination weddings and elopements, as well as classic and non-traditional wedding ceremonies that celebrate the story of you. Photography is my way of processing the world and empathizing with others. I've been taking photos professionally for a decade, starting with a Bachelor of Fine Art from the University of California, Santa Cruz. I work closely with my clients to really get to know their personalities and story. My goal is to bring my clients' wedding day memories to life through colorful imagery, visual storytelling, and authentic snapshots that illustrate the fleeting moments and full spectrum of emotions on their wedding day. I am a California-based wedding and elopement photographer who loves to travel. [Lake Tahoe Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
2000 (USD)
My name is Thanh and I am the owner of Dream Lucid Studios. I first fell in love with Hollywood movies and the art of films before transitioning to photography. I believe that's how I develop my style and my approach to wedding photography because I love to tell stories. Since my couples are the story, I want to be able to tell it as genuinely as possible. I want to say that my style is photojournalistic with a touch of ineffable. I don't want to just capture the moment, I want to capture it from a unique perspective. I challenge myself to see and shoot each wedding differently because each wedding is uniquely its own. The venues and locations can be the same, but each couple is not. I really enjoy being able to document the story of my couples and capture all the emotions throughout the day/s by being in the background. My team tries to work like ninjas so that you can fully enjoy your day. I feel like that's how we able to get everybody to be comfortable enough to show their real emotions because they don't feel our presence. [San Jose Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
3000 (USD)
Although born in the United States, I spent the first 7 years of my life in the Sultanate of Oman. California was “abroad” and my accent at that age was so thick that I could have passed as British. After moving to California, my older brother and I continued to spend our summers on the Arabian Peninsula. During those formative years, we sought after our own adventures. We built skateboard ramps out of plywood and 2×4’s. We raced one another to the top of sand dunes. I should also mention that we lit things on fire. We engineered and tested homemade rockets and flamethrowers on a regular basis. Beginning in 1994, I studied black and white film. In the darkroom, we developed and printed every photo by hand. At some point between photographing goats in the Himalaya and taking pictures of guanacos in Argentina, I moved from film to digital. I began photographing weddings in 2009. Weddings challenge me to creatively document an incredible range of personalities, places and emotions. No couple’s relationship is the same. No two celebrations are alike. This is surely the best job in the world. I would love to photograph the excitement, joy, and love of your wedding day! [Lake Tahoe Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
3850 (USD)
I fell into my passion for photography at a younger age and used it as a means to document the world around me. Having been fortunate enough to be trained by photographers such as American Photojournalist Ed Kashi, I continually push my storytelling and photojournalistic eye each year. Fascinated by human expression and interaction, I began photographing weddings and elopements and haven't looked back since. My goal is to create a relaxed atmosphere for my clients so that they can feel comfortable, be in the moment and enjoy themselves on their wedding day. I don't want to just take photos for my clients, but instead, I want their photos to speak for themselves. I am a California based documentary wedding photographer who also travels anywhere. [Lake Tahoe Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
4600 (USD)
As a young child growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, I knew I wanted to be an artist. Eventually, I realized that if I did what I loved, the rest would follow. While I was in college, I was selected to work in the White House Photo Office during the Clinton administration. This experience taught me the delicate balance between capturing images and responding to ever-changing situations. After graduating college, I worked as a staff photographer at The Contra Costa Times (California), Fort Worth Star Telegram (Texas) and The Palm Beach Post (Florida). Being a newspaper photographer in different parts of the country taught me the importance of preparation, flexibility and having a sense of humor. No matter where I lived, I learned to be open-minded. My experience as a wedding photojournalist began when a fellow Palm Beach Post photographer asked me to shoot a wedding with him. I was immediately hooked. Since that time, I still get excited when I capture the story of two people on their wedding day. I am drawn to the wide range of emotions, the gathering of friends and family, the celebration with its quiet moments and the anticipation of starting a new life. When I returned home to San Francisco in 2004, I began working at Pixar Animation Studios and helped create my job as their in-house photographer. I am responsible for documenting life at the studio and creating photos for marketing and PR campaigns. I photograph weddings because it is an extension of my love of visual storytelling. Wedding photography allows me to explore new places, meet interesting people and create art from intimate moments. If you are having a wedding, I would love to be there for you. [San Francisco Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
5000 (USD)
Nick is a photojournalist with 13 years of experience. His work has appeared regularly in publications around the world. A few include The Washington Post (USA), The Telegraph (UK), The Australian (AUS) and The South China Morning Post (HK). He has also worked for the Associated Press and Bloomberg News and is currently represented by Zuma Press Nick Currently lives in San Francisco but is available for weddings worldwide. [San Francisco Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
2000 (USD)
Doug is an award-winning photographer based out of San Francisco Bay and offering coverage for tiny weddings and elopements during COVID. His style is documentary with drops of lifestyle. He is known for his peaceful and positive demeanor, and ability to easily connect with family and guests. Doug has shot near 600 wedding events since 2002 from San Francisco to Seoul and Big Sur to Bangkok. Seen as an extension of the family, he gets in close and comfortable, being quickly accepted and forgotten, while framing the perfect shot at the height of the moment. Departing a bit from his days as a photojournalist, Doug prefers to photograph from 'inside the circle' instead of out... often ending up as a longtime family photographer and friend. Published in leading blogs such as NPR, Brides, Style Me Pretty, Snippet, Ink, and Le Magnifique, his images are treasured by the professional community. Doug is listed as one of the top 30 photographers in the world by the Wedding Photojournalist Association and is a preferred talent on premiere venue and coordinator lists along the California coast. [San Francisco Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
750/hour (USD)
Dennis Viera is half of the internationally recognized, award-winning wedding photojournalism team of Viera Photographics and the primary photographer for Our Little Wedding. Based in Sonoma County, Dennis and his wife Jaime travel worldwide documenting weddings. Their business was born in 2006 on the remote South Island of New Zealand, precisely the same time they found out they were expecting their first child, Alex. (We work best under pressure) For Dennis, the photographic journey began in his hometown of Newport, Rhode Island the summer before graduating from high school, when he was awarded a lost camera from a part-time job he'd been working. From there, the passion for documenting life continued to evolve. Rapidly. Dennis began working for his college newspaper while attending the University of San Diego, learned the basics from the photo editor, and soon became his assistant while also managing the ads department and keeping the paper funded. He learned the basics of photojournalism and also how to set up more structured editorial and fashion shoots while processing film and scanning prints. Upon graduation, Dennis chose to forego an easy route to financial security and instead got a job at a small but incredible San Diego camera shop and darkroom. A little over a year passed when he was plucked from behind the counter and hired to run a commercial photography studio while also handling the events side of the business; all the while, continuing to learn by experimentations with all different combinations of cameras, lenses, and formats. This was at a time when digital was revolutionizing commercial photography studios and over his four-year period as manager, he led the transition from an all-film to an all-digital studio. Photography is not and has never been a job for Dennis, it's a deeply rooted part of him. Dennis loves photographing people, life, landscapes, architecture...so, weddings provide him the opportunity to weave together everything he's ever learned or experienced to tell each client's story in a unique way. When Dennis isn't shooting for a client or himself, he can be found hanging out with his son Alex and his wife Jaime, snowboarding, hiking, fishing, buying records, listening to music, baking bread, making wine, traveling Europe and trying to be the best husband/dad/son/human being possible. [San Francisco Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
3200 (USD)
Sarah Kang is a professional photographer whose love of photography began decades ago with her first course in darkroom development. She has a unique eye and sense of anticipation that translate into her beautifully honest and emotional photographs. Sarah graduated from Brown University and studied photography at the New York Institute of Photography. Aside from shooting weddings, she loves to travel and salsa dance. Sarah currently lives in San Francisco with her husband and has photographed weddings across the country. [San Francisco Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
3800 (USD)
Hey there! I'm Tanarak I'm an award-winning wedding photographer serving Hong Kong, San Francisco, Bay area, & beyond... with twelve years full-time experience. Why weddings? Anticipation, excitement, joy, awe, pride—there are so many emotions on a wedding day. But no two love stories are ever the same. From family and friends to you and your partner, the energy of every person present creates its own unique magic. Regardless of culture, tradition or background, love is universal, and I believe it should be celebrated in all its forms. There’s no greater privilege than capturing a love story. Tanarak Awards WPJA - The Wedding Photojournalist Association 8th Place: 2014 Q4 - "Kids (being kids)" 3rd Place: 2012 Q4 "Toasting/Speeches" 8th Place: 2012 Q4 "Ring Details" 18th Place: 2012 Q2 - "Toasting/Speeches" 7th Place: 2012 Q1 – "Ceremony" 2nd Place: 2011 Q2 – "Portrait of the Bridal Party" 12th Place: 2009 Q4 – "Emotion" 19th Place: 2009 Q4 – "Reflection" AG|WPJA - The Artistic Guild of the Wedding Photojournalist Association 18th Place: 2016 Q2 - "Wildcard Portrait" 4th Place: 2014 Q4 - "Getting Ready" 9th Place: 2013 Q4 - "Details (Found)" 5th Place: 2012 Q4 - "Ring Details" 11th Place: 2012 Q4 - "Ring Details" 12th Place: 2012 Q4 - "Reception" 10th Place: 2012 Q2 - "Flower Details" [San Francisco Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
4500 (USD)
My love for photography had long since began. For me, photography was simply a hobby that transformed into a passion. For several years, I would take a lot of pictures of my relatives and friends. It was more then just a snap of the shutter; it was capturing memories that could be cherished and passed down forever. I am more of an observer than a talker, I believe the most important element to be captured in a photograph is emotion. The more emotional the shot is, the more it appeals to our senses, and the greater the connection we feel to it. If a picture conveys emotion – whether it’s happiness, surprise, sorrow, disgust – then it stands out! I find a moment and then tell a story. For me, photography is all about capturing authenticity, movement, spontaneity, and mood.. we can help you feel and preserve your emotions more vividly. As a photographer, I can make a unique impact on how your wedding is remembered, not just in pictures, but in emotions. [San Francisco Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
2000 (USD)
It is my sheer pleasure to capture life’s celebrations and it’s precious, unscripted moments. The images are proof that life happens, time passes and memories are sweet. I’ve been photographing weddings for over 15 years. I strive to deliver photographs that will timelessly capture the moment while keeping the bride and groom calm and relaxed. My style is photojournalistic- documenting stories as they unfold, focusing on emotion, expression and even the smallest details. Light inspires me. I find angles and light in the most usual ways and shoot in an unobtrusive manner. In addition to photographing weddings, I am a fine art equine photographer. Through patience and observation, I communicate with horses through the art of photography. Whether on a ranch or in a wildlife preservation, I seek to document the beauty and emotion of horses in their natural environment. There is a deep connection between humans and horses and my challenge is to explore it, seeking to understand the complexities of this centuries-old relationship. Along with my husband Travis and our French bulldog named Chicken, I reside in Moss Beach, California. The San Francisco bay area is one of the most diverse environments on earth. From the rolling vineyards of Napa Valley to the foggy hills of San Francisco, we’re surrounded with natural beauty and the inspiring whims of Mother Nature. I love my home, my husband and my life. There’s no greater gift than love. Published work credit includes multiple covers of Today’s Bride magazine and real weddings featured in The Knot, Grace Ormonde, Modern Bride, the San Francisco Chronicle, California Wedding Day, Horse & Style Weddings, Ceremony, 7x7 Weddings, California Home+Design, and SouthAsian Bride Magazine. Online feature credits include Style Me Pretty, Huffington Post Weddings, Carats & Cake and Maharani Weddings. [San Francisco Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
5500 (USD)
Douglas style is relaxed and casual, and his typical clientele is couples who want a photographer to unobtrusively capture all the special moments of their wedding day or elopement ceremony. For over 15 years, Doug has photographed weddings and worked as a professional photographer. He is a staff photographer/photo editor for SFGATE. Previously he was a staff photographer for the San Francisco Business Times and Los Angeles Times Community Newspapers. His freelance photography work has appeared in many publications, including the New York Times Digital, the San Francisco Chronicle, ESPN The magazine, Reuters, and Men's Health magazine. Doug's interest in photography began as a high school student when he started shooting for the school newspaper. He found that photojournalism was the best way for him to explore the world around him, meet new people, and explore different cultures and traditions. [San Francisco Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
2000 (USD)
Debra currently divides her time between San Francisco and Florence, Italy. Debra's photography is characterized by its spontaneous ability to capture the personalities of its subjects in their most revealing moments. She cultivates such a style through a relaxed, low-pressure approach and through her charming ability to engage and create an unobtrusive rapport with her clients. [San Francisco Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
3000 (USD)
I grew up in upstate New York, but I've been living in South Lake Tahoe, California for over a decade and the Lake Tahoe Basin has felt like home since I first drove across the country. When I am not working, I enjoy doing anything that brings me outside. I currently live with my girlfriend Michelle and two huskies, Echo and Yuba. I feel very fortunate for that and to now be in a position where I can make a full-time living with my camera. Calm and unobtrusive, yet determined to get the shot. I am deeply passionate about photography and capturing the most meaningful and authentic moments of your wedding. I specialize in a photojournalistic approach, documenting your day as it unfolds. As a seasoned photographer with a wide range of freelance experience, I know how to anticipate the unique, natural moments of a dynamic event. At the same time, you probably chose to get married in Lake Tahoe for a reason and it is equally important to incorporate the surrounding landscape into your wedding imagery whenever possible. Outdoor portrait art and wedding photojournalism are the terms that first come to mind when asked to define my style. Formal or casual, large or small, you have a vision for your wedding and I would like to be there to tell your story with my camera ... I am an experienced wedding photographer, having shot weddings all over the Lake Tahoe region, Reno, Sacramento, the California foothills, and other parts of Northern California. [Lake Tahoe Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
1250 (USD)
I’m a moment junkie. I studied Journalism in college and I once was a journalist based in Seoul, including for The Associated Press. I strongly believe that the absolute best way to re-live the most special day is by looking at your photos of real moments and emotions. Both my academic and professional backgrounds have influenced my documentary and photojournalistic wedding and elopement photos. And these timeless and priceless photos define who we are and nothing makes me more thrilled than documenting our lives as they are. Life is a series of moments, and those moments are fleeing away from us instantly; that is why photography is incredibly powerful and important to our lives, and I feel extremely honored to be part of every moment. I do what I do, coming from my heart, passion, and love. I love listening to all kinds of music nonstop. I love eating/cooking food - especially noodle soups. I lived in Panama for about 6 years when I was a kid. But my Spanish is really embarrassing. I visited the most secluded country North Korea twice when I was a reporter. I love wandering around and reading books about why we are the way we are. [Los Angeles Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
2500 (USD)
Will is the co-founders of SW Photo Studio. He is a passionate photographer who has grown up and resided in many different places such as Malaysia, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, the USA, Japan, and China. The rich experiences of traveling and crossing between those different cultures have made him a fully open-minded person. Will has not only appreciated those lessons life had taught him but also tried to get inspired and fulfill them into his photography works. [Taipei Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
2000 (USD)
Shaun grew up studying film and television with the dream of becoming a director. He graduated college with six production certificates and his bachelor’s degree in communications. Shortly after his college graduation, Shaun put the video camera down and picked up a DSLR. He was constantly looking for something to photograph. Something with meaning, a purpose. He shot his first wedding in 2009 and never picked up a video camera again. Shaun lived in NYC for 7 years with his wife Keri and their two dogs. They now reside in San Diego, CA. Shaun is very humble about how he makes his living and is honored everytime he is chosen to photograph a wedding. [San Diego Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
3200 (USD)
Stephanie received her Master's degree in photojournalism from top-ranked, Ohio University. She was invited to attend the prestigious Eddie Adams Workshop, a national forum for top photojournalists. She has also received awards in one of photojournalism's oldest, largest and most highly respected contest, the Annual Pictures of the Year competition of the National Press Photographers Association, among other organizations. [Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
3300 (USD)
I'm a documentary wedding photographer located in the Seattle area of Washington. I live on the rocky beaches of Bremerton Washington and love riding the ferry to Seattle as often as possible. I started my professional photography career shooting for The Daily Evergreen and Columbian Newspapers before shifting my focus to wedding photography. I have been photographing weddings since 2011 now and see no end in sight. In 2016 (my then girlfriend) started shooting wedding alongside me and in 2018 we got married Cannon Beach and Leavenworth Washington. Allie Leaf and I regularly shoot weddings together. When not shooting weddings, I photograph concerts like Taylor Swift, Metallica, Nada Surf, The Black Keys, and Twenty One Pilots for the music publication I started in college called Seattle Music News. [Seattle Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
4000 (USD)
Being a wedding photographer allows me to combine my passions for art, creativity, photography, adventure, love, and people. As one half of a husband and wife photography team, I have the honor of witnessing as couples commit to their relationships alongside my own husband. We specialize in capturing people in nature and in documenting the stories of adventurous couples. [Denver Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
5000 (USD)
Kristina knew she wanted to be a photographer since before she knew how a camera works. She ruined countless rolls of film as a child because she wanted to take photos but had no idea how to operate a camera. Luckily for you, her passion for photography continued on into her professional career. Her idea of a perfect day is being in a beach house in Baja with friends and family eating Mexican food and sipping on margaritas. She loves being a wife to Eric and mother to their little boy and girl, [San Diego Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
3500 (USD)
I found my way into being a photojournalist in the Navy, but I never had any interest in photography. Everything changed for me when a tearful mom unfolded an old newspaper and said she wanted to get a better copy. The reason for the request? Her 10-year-old son had recently passed away after a long battle with leukemia and the image on the front page of the paper was him, bald from rounds of chemo, with a bird on his head and smile that would melt your heart. That was the last picture taken of him smiling … looking carefree like any other young boy. They wanted the new copy to frame and place in his little brother’s bedroom so he’d always remember his big brother being happy and smiling down on him. What changed my life from this experience was that was my image. An image from my very first newspaper assignment. I remember taking it and felt the whole assignment was taking away from my dream of being a DJ. Two things passed through my mind when this happened: I found my life’s calling The power of photography and that tangible element is real and is meaningful. It’s the visual documentation that provides proof we were here. We experience life, love, receive love, accomplish great feats, endure, and are a part of history within our family and communities. After that experience, I immersed myself in photojournalism. I studied, job shadowed, worked my butt off telling the stories of people who I was lucky enough to get an inside look of their lives. I’ve focused the photojournalism experience from all the assignments I’ve covered into telling stories of the people who won’t have their images highlighted inside a newspaper or magazine. This is why I do what I do. It’s also why my home has images hanging from every wall to highlight who my daughters were growing up, and who they are now. I want to always remember the 20th anniversary trip with my wife, and see myself and my girls acting goofy together. These moments are fleeting and the memories quickly fade without the images to remind us. Through portraits and weddings, I’ve devoted a big part of my life to telling stories with my images. And I take that responsibility very seriously. Because I want you to have that tangible element that will tell your story to your children, and grandchildren, and their children. I want a family member to walk down a hallway decades from now and point to a picture and ask about that moment captured in time. [Coeur d'Alene Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
2500 (USD)
Since 1999, I have been a professional photographer serving in Minneapolis, MN, Seattle, WA and international destinations. While weddings are my first love, I also apply my style to portraits, promotional images, live music, commercial and editorial work for a number of clients and publications. I regularly travel for weddings, and have been commissioned to photograph weddings all over the world. Over the past 18 years, I have photographed over 600 weddings, from as few as 6 guests in Seattle to 600 in Seoul. My work has been featured in ad campaigns for Amazon.com and Sony Ericsson mobile phones, album cover art for musicians: Pete Droge, Downpilot, Fauna, February, Kim Field and The Mighty Titans of Tone, Rachel Harrington, Sugartown, Brother Sun Sister Moon, Visqueen, Truckstop Souvenir, Declining Winter, Memory Drawings, and Broadcast Oblivion. My images and quotes have been printed in local and national magazines, including Minnesota Monthly, Rolling Stone (Germany), Fuji Love Magazine, Fuji X Passion Magazine, Olympus Passion Magazine, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Seattle Times, Seattle Sound, Seattle Weekly, The Stranger, Photo District News (PDN), MSNBC.com, ROCKRGRL, The Big Takeover, Three Imaginary Girls, Washington Free Press, Local Planet, Seattle Police Annual Report, Seattle Police Foundation Calendar, Lutheran Brotherhood "Leader" Magazine, Women's Health Magazine, Martha Stewart Weddings, Grace Ormonde Wedding Style, Seattle Bride, Seattle Metropolitan Bride & Groom, The Knot, Conde Nast's Brides Magazine, Wedding Pages Magazine, Wedding Expo, Herban Feast's wedding brochure and Banquet & Event's promotional literature and billboards. My images have been used in websites for the Arc School of Ballet in Seattle, Seattle Police Foundation, Daniel Boen Law Office, Bel Canto audiophile stereo equipment and Jai Healing chiropractic office. I have been interviewed in Martha Stewart Weddings, Seattle Bride, Minnesota Bride, Junebug Weddings, Mpls/St. Paul Magazine, InMyBag.net, ShutterStock, Photography Live and Uncut with Paul Griffiths, X100C, Photo Business XPosed, Fuji MIrrorlessPro, Fuji X Passion Magazine, Olympus Passion Magazine and MirrorLessons. Every Wednesday I do a podcast called Outerfocus with UK photographer Ian Weldon about the history of photography. Each week we discuss a photographer in history while interviewing a current photographer about his/her work. You can find Outerfocus podcast on iTunes. [St. Paul Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
4000 (USD)
Ron Storer is an Award Winning Photojournalist with the WPJA and the AG|WPJA. Ron is based out of the Northwest area and is available for local as well as destination weddings. Ron Storer has been married to his wonderful friend, Neesie, for nearly the past 29 years and they have two amazing boys; Grant and Torey. 15 years ago, Ron Storer worked on a freelance basis with non-profit Organizations doing relief work around the globe. Now on occasion Ron still assists NPO's when possible and as his schedule allows. What motivates Ron is the passion of the moment. Ron believes that every wedding has incredible priceless moments and he works hard to capture and preserve them for each couple. His typical clientele is someone who wants their wedding memories captured in a unique and special way. His clientele also tend to be artistic and relational as many of his clients have become dear friends. Besides receiving awards here at the WPJA, Ron Storer has also received numerous awards at the AG|WPJA and was listed in 2016 as the Top American in the AG|WPJA. Prior to his photography career, Ron Storer raced on the US Cycling Team earning a Gold Medal in the Pan-Am Games and a Silver Medal in the Olympic Trials. [Seattle Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
2400 (USD)
I am a Chicago-based photographer living in the Bucktown neighborhood in Chicago with my husband, and closest friend, Shawn. When I was thirteen I picked up my mother's camera and started documenting our lives. The one hour photo lab down the street turned into hours and hours in the b&w darkroom in undergrad, then the color darkroom, then a Masters in photography. Today I still find myself in the darkroom every day with my students at New Trier High School. Photography is more than what I do, it is who I am. I teach so that I may pass that passion onto future generations. I am at home and at ease when I am working with and photographing people; it has always made complete sense to me. I take pride in making my clients feel comfortable during our shoots, even the most camera shy. I have an admiration for beauty, peculiarity, and the everyday stuff of life. I let my intuition lead me and I do not force situations to occur. I allow moments to unfold and adjust myself to the situation. I am humbled and honored to photograph the memories and milestones in people's lives. I know that I will always do my best to document people as they are, so they will look back on the moments and still feel all the love and warmth that went into creating those memories. , [Chicago Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
3400 (USD)
With more than 17 years behind the camera, Robert approaches each and every wedding he photographs with a distinctive, fine art, photo-journalistic style. Fun, Relaxed, Discreet, and Professional are how client's describe their experience working with award-winning and published photographer Robert Walker. Happily married for over 20 years, Robert and his wife share their home in Dallas with their son, and their ever-playful Golden Retriever. [Dallas-Fort Worth Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
2400 (USD)
The moving moment of the wedding is a fleeting moment that cannot be repeated. It is only once in a lifetime. We try our best to keep all the memories of the day for each couple. Maybe it is the shy expression of the bride, the look of the groom, the parents’ reluctance. Tears, happy smiles, these pictures are the most beautiful memories. I like to record happy times and write a picture that the newcomers have not noticed on the day so that you can be deeply touched when you relive the photos for many years. Wedding photography is not just a record, but the camera leaves the temperature of the day, presenting the story of your day. I hope that I will have the opportunity to be a friend who records your story, record the moment of change, and capture the picture of your life once. I am married, Jimmy Lee. [Taipei Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
20000 (TWD)
I fell into wedding photography by accident. I was in school for photojournalism, dreaming of working for a newspaper when a friend asked me to photograph her wedding. From that moment on I was hooked, and I haven’t looked back. I loved that wedding photography merged my photojournalistic eye with my artistic passion. I am not only passionate about photography, but also about my home. I love exploring Portland, Oregon, hiking in the gorge, or going on adventures with couples throughout the Pacific Northwest. There is so much to do and see. The possibilities are endless. We can be inspired together. [Portland-OR Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
2500 (USD)
My work as a photographer began back in 2008 as a sports photography intern at Getty Images. As a freelancer, I covered baseball, football, basketball, rowing, tennis, and motorsport. My experience at Getty sharpened my eye for composition, light, and timing. The technical challenges were amazing, but as time passed, the nature of the work became impersonal and systematic. Another touchdown, another home run, another victory lane… I was just one of a gang of photographers trying to capture the same moment. I felt like my life’s work was becoming a commodity. I growingly became frustrated and disillusioned with my professional journey. Something had to change. Then it hit me. How can I be truly passionate about my work when I don’t have any personal connection whatsoever with the people that I'm covering? As a sports photographer, I was always at arm's length from my subjects – leaving me without the ability to truly relate to what they were feeling. At that moment I knew I wanted to work one-on-one with my subjects. There is something so gratifying about capturing two people madly in love, handing them the images and then hearing how their experience brought them even closer in their relationship. This is the joy that wedding photography brings me and it is why I have chosen to dedicate my life to this work. It would be an honor to hear from you! [Los Angeles Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
1800 (USD)
My style of wedding photography is photojournalistic. While capturing formal portraits is important, I also believe the ambiance of your day & the life-force of your invited guests is of equal priority. With a gentle eye, I will steer your formal photographs to best reflect your personalities, while simultaneously documenting those subtle yet profound candid moments that make up such an important day. I keep a keen watch as the day naturally unfolds so you have an archive long after the day has passed you by. High school introduced me to photography & there I spent my waking hours shooting film, developing, & printing deep within the darkroom. From there I went to Otis School of Art & Design to study Fine Art Photography (2001-2005), which exposed me to art theory & artist's studio practices. After college, I flexed my logistical side & produced art fairs (2004-2012) that shared contemporary art to communities in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, & New York. In 2013 I transitioned into a small business owner & made providing photography my full-time world. So if you will, find comfort in knowing that art & photography are a part of my physiological make-up & the path I've taken shows this. My camera & I stay vigilant throughout your day, which no doubt will have many moving parts while maintaining an unobtrusive & honest presence. STAY IN THE MOMENT. I’LL SUPPORT YOU & DO THE REST. KIVA LOAN PLEDGE — I pledge to make a Kiva loan for every wedding that I book. This is something that has been important for me to integrate into my wedding photography business early on. It hasn't escaped me how becoming a small business owner has changed my life for the better. I am grateful to have had the privilege & opportunity to see my goals through. I believe when you are given a chance to work towards a goal that leads to a better quality of life, a life that you deliberately design for yourself, it can be transformative & ripple positively outwards. The empowerment that results is priceless & I believe that all people have the right to choose what they want for themselves & see their dreams come to fruition. The struggle is real, I've been through my share, & it's time to do my part to help fellow builders & dreamers. (www.kiva.org) [Los Angeles Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
2100 (USD)
Brad Walters is an internationally acclaimed wedding photographer and fine art oil painter who fuses his photography with oil painting, creating a truly unique genre in wedding art. Brad's painting style is heavily influenced by Edwardian-era master portrait painter John Singer Sargent, among others. Fascinated with humanity, his paintings center on human potential. His photography has been published in the Los Angeles Times, BRIDES magazine, BRIDES.com, Coastal Weddings Magazine, Emerald Coast Brides Magazine, Chocolate Zoom Magazine New York, and M.D. NEWS to name a few. His clients range from authors to international gourmet chocolatiers. [Greenville Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
6000 (USD)
Hello! My name is Erin, but my friends call me Ewah, or E. I am a Colorado native, lover of life, travel fanatic, city fan and an extrovert who loves meeting new people. I began taking pictures in middle school with my mom's point-and-shoot camera which catapulted me into assisting wedding photographers in high school, and now a career. I have photographed around 150 weddings now, and the number keeps climbing. What I have learned from my years of photographing weddings is that every wedding is unique. Regardless of the season, the venue, or the attire, every wedding presents a new perspective because of the individuals who make up the day. I emphasize capturing the candid moments that happen during a wedding so that when I send the gallery, you feel how the day felt. You can count on me to treat you with kindness and respect, to deliver a gallery telling the amazing story of your big day....and to jump on the dance floor if I hear Wobble come on. [Denver Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
3250 (USD)
At 39, Morgan Davis has been documenting weddings since 2014. She remains inspired by the work of Cari Mae Weems, Marilyn Nance, and Gordon Parks. With a passion for international humanitarian photojournalism, she shoots a limited amount of weddings to be available to travel abroad to, in her own words, "tell the stories that often go untold." When Morgan is not shooting weddings or other lifestyle portraiture concepts, she can be found working out at the gym, listening to 40's jazz, by the ocean, or enjoying her family. She has been married to the love of her life Chris for 20 years and together they have 3 children. [Baltimore Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
4499 (USD)
Based in the gorgeous state of Colorado (Native here!), I spend my days roaming mountain-tops with Clients, and exploring all that this state has to offer with my little fam (Twin boys, hubby and the coolest German shepherd EVER.)! Being a wedding and elopement photographer in one of the most beautiful states in the country allows me to really pull together my love for documenting the adventure, real-time moments, as well as creating some Epic Environmental portraits! I love problem-solving lighting and all the "think on your toes" aspects of weddings, and thrive on the fact that no two weddings are ever the same! I love the spontaneity of emotions, weather, and all unscripted moments! I have been many times referred to as a "photo-ninja" (probably my most favorite compliment ever...), so you can bet I will be jumping in Rivers, climbing on rocks....or whatever it takes to get the shots! If there are kids at a wedding too...you can also bet I'll take 7689 photos of them...because kids do funny stuff. (Fun fact: Top notch service and experience for my clients is a must! I was a Catering and Events Manager for a high-end hotel chain for years before becoming a photographer...so weddings and service are ingrained in my blood! I like to offer that little "extra" service and experience to all my clients...helping keep planning and the day running absolutely smoothly and just as intended!) [Denver Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
2000 (USD)
I graduated from the University of Houston with my Master’s Degree in Accountancy and started a career as an auditor in 2015. Only a few months after I started, I felt out of place. Photography has always been my passion growing up. When I was little, I would borrow a camera phone from one of my cousins and start taking photos of things around me. In my senior year of high school when one of my good friends got this very awesome Sony camera phone (it was not a smartphone yet), she would let me use it an document our memories of senior years, per my request of course :). I used the paychecks from my very first part-time job to buy myself a DSLR and start taking photos for friends and family. So yes, it would be so much fun and exciting to start a photography business. While people spend 4 years of college trying to learn to do a job, I spent my 4 years to learn how to do a different job, not photography. I started doing wedding photography and fell in love. I fell in love with the exciting and upbeat environment of a wedding, I fell in love with the emotions that a bride goes through on her wedding date, I fell in love with how the guests dance the night away and how the wedding cakes taste just so indulging, and I fell in love with being the one to document all of that. So that was how Half A Rice Studios was born. [Houston Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
4200 (USD)
Wedding Venues from California - Northern
Please select a venue below to view all associated winning photos.
Wedding Engagement Diamond Awards - California - Northern
Are you ready to find your California - Northern engagement / pre-wedding photographer for a portrait session to complement your story of love? Searching for some ideas and creative inspiration for your own pre-wed shoot? Pro members from the California - Northern Wedding Photojournalist Association would like to help you add some unique and artistic pictures to your engagement photo gallery!
Searches Related to California - Northern Wedding Photography Vendors
WPJA Communiqué: Features
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 sunshine and that open, airy feeling and give your guests some room to breathe! LESS IS MORE Instead of hemming your guests in on all sides, give them some elbow room, and legroom, too. There's no need to induce claustrophobia when you've got a wide, open space. Let your guests take in the view, especially if you've got a spectacular one. You...Read more
Oftentimes when people are considering a venue for their weddings, they search for a location away from home, whether that be ten minutes or ten hours, all just to find what they already have: a place that holds meaning for them, that feels comfortable, or that they find special and memorable. But what could hold more memory, meaning, and importance than your own home? For those looking for that perfect venue, it may not be any further than beyond your threshold.Read more
While some of us were fortunate enough to be born as extroverts, not everyone feels the same way. For a good chunk of the population, any number of the typical wedding day traditions can inspire anxiety and existential dread. This day is all about you, yes, but does that mean all the attention has to be on you as well? FROM VOWS TO CHITCHAT, WHICH REMAINS SACRED? Traditional weddings often require some degree of performance on the part of the couple, whether that is in the form of reciting...Read more
We all know that the economy can go through some hard times, and be somewhat reminiscent of past recessions. However, as people cut back on non-essential little luxuries here and there, one constant remains: weddings. People don’t tend to just stop getting married due to a poor economy, nor should they! So, in an industry that keeps on going through thick and thin, what are some things to expect for the future, and what is really necessary to still make that wedding day memorable and...Read more
WHAT EXACTLY DOES IT MEAN TO ELOPE? If you look up the definition of “elope” in the Merriam-Webster dictionary , you’ll find a plethora of meanings making it quite clear how polarizing the word has become, and how it has transformed and evolved with the passage of time and even personal preference.Read more
RAVES, REVIEWS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Sheila & Ascher
Photo by Deborah Coleman
You captured the day in an incredibly special way. Each of your photos was striking, intimate and beautifully composed. Each one told a story. Many of your photos captured emotion and important fleeting moments that were so discreet and could have gone unnoticed to most. This is exactly what we were looking for. Thanks again.
Erin & Jeff
Photo by Deborah Coleman
You did a great job at our wedding! I looked through the proofs with my family last weekend, and everyone commented how perfectly you caught every moment, and how unobtrusive you were.
Allie and Cody Liberatore
Photo by David Braun
Hi David, Just letting you know I received the memory stick! I love all the extra touches you did, that is really cool and cute! We couldn’t believe it when we opened the package. Thank you again, I really appreciate everything you have done for our engagement and wedding photos. Mahalo- Allie
Tyler + Karim
Photo by Drew Bird
Hi Drew, These photos are AMAZING! We haven't been able to stop looking through them since Thursday night. All work productivity has been shot! We love reliving every moment of the day through the beautiful storybook you've created for us. There are so many moments that we weren't even aware of-- and we're so thankful that you were able to show those to us. It's absolutely beautiful. We especially appreciative of the creative shots you were able to capture within live shots-- the lines, colors and images from the churches and venues are incredible. We are so happy and thankful for your attention to detail. We had a lot of family and friends also comment on how professional you were and inquire about your website. Let us know where we can leave our public reviews to help let other folks know about your amazing work. Best, Tyler & Karim
Sara and Ted
Photo by Kimmi Cranes
The photos are stunning! You definitely made it so much fun and found the love and joy in all of us! We all had such an amazing time. You are an incredibly special person and your light shines through you. We are lucky to have had you as our photographer.
Emily + Zach
Photo by Drew Bird
Hi Drew - These photos are absolutely incredible!! We are speechless. We were looking through them this evening and it was like re-living the whole weekend in the sierra mountains. These are such treasured memories. We feel so lucky to have had you as our storyteller and that you were part of the weekend story, along with all our friends and family. Thank you!!!! -Emily + Zach
Christine & Bryan
Photo by Douglas Despres
"Doug these are amazing!! I can't even tell you how much I'm in love with them! You did such an incredible job and I cannot thank you enough! They're unreal!"
Sarah + Stephen
Photo by Drew Bird
Hey Drew - We went through all the pics last night and I just wanted to tell you again how awesome they are! You really captured some amazing moments and we're forever grateful! I was 3/4 through them and crying lol. It's as if we were replaying a story of the day. SO AMAZING! THANK YOU!!! We've shared the link with some of our guests and they are all raving about them as well! A thousand thanks, Sarah and Stephen
Teresa and Kenny
Photo by Ron Storer
Thank you so much for all of your hard work on our beautiful wedding photos. There are no words to express our gratitude for capturing some of the most important moments of our lives. Our wedding & engagement photos are an absolute treasure that we will savor and cherish forever. When we share our album with friends, they rave about how unique it is and that they’ve never seen anything like it. I have to agree it is amazing and a delight to flip through - it just seems to bring us right back to June 7, 2008 - a day that we hold very close to our hearts.
Benita & Ben
Photo by Drew Bird
Drew, thanks so much for everything. We had so much fun working with you. From start to finish you were great to work with and showed the highest professionalism. All of our guests really enjoyed how fun you were, too. And the photos!! The images are just beautiful. Every time we look through the photo story we see new favorites and amazing moments. Even though the wedding was only a month ago the images bring back so many amazing memories. We are so happy that you were our photographer. We will definitely be recommending you to all our family and friends. Also let us know where we can give you some public shout-outs! Thanks again!
Stephanie + Nick
Photo by Drew Bird
Hi Drew, The images are amazing!! Absolutely wonderful!! Your images really are a very special way to preserve our memories! The photos that you made around City Hall are gorgeous. It was nice to relax and laugh a little and enjoy the amazing architecture. We also love how you captured artistic candid details at the reception at Stable Cafe. There are so many wonderful moments: like so many conversations, the toasts, the food that was served, and the atmosphere. Thank you so much for your professionalism and good spirits on our wedding day. You were such a pleasure to work with, and are so amazing at your craft. We really enjoyed working with you throughout the day, and you put us at ease while making photos. We really love how you had a stress-free attitude. You really captured the feelings of the day! Thank you so much for all of your help creating lasting memories for us and our friends and family and for being such a significant part of our wedding day and story. We honestly can't thank you enough. Best, Stephanie + Nick
Christy & Stuart
Photo by Gina Clyne
We wanted to drop a quick note and tell you how awesome you are. You got in the spirit and came prepared, and brought so much happiness from behind the camera to whoever was in front of it. We're so grateful to have had you as part of our day, and can't wait to recommend you to everyone we know. (And everyone we don't -- so please let us know any and all sites where we can leave you reviews!) Much love, Christy + Stuart
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.
