Virginia Wedding Photographers

Virginia Wedding Photographers

Our Virginia photographers also provide documentary-style coverage in: Norfolk, Chesapeake, Richmond, Hampton, Roanoke, Portsmouth, Arlington, Williamsburg, Luray, and Leesburg

Virginia Wedding Photography, Engagement Photo Sessions + Elopements

Intimate Wedding Photography in Virginia - Capturing the Joy of Small Celebrations - Discover the best Virginia photographers specializing in intimate marriages. Couples are embracing the trend of smaller, more meaningful celebrations. Let our talented photographers capture the joy and intimacy of your wedding day.

By planning a simple Virginia elopement, couples are able to stay present in the moment and fully absorb the impact of their wedding day. Given the fact that many couples feel more natural and at ease in intimate settings, it's no surprise that some of the most breathtaking wedding images come from elopements.

The WPJA has an abundance of top-ranked, Virginia documentary wedding photographers available right now who understand that some weddings and elopements can’t wait. Find yours today!

Recent WPJA WedElope Story Awards

Virginia Photographers for Large or Small Weddings

Shooting an elopement or small Virginia 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.

United States WPJA members are ready to document any civil ceremony, city hall, pop-up, 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.

35 Virginia Wedding Photographers...

Studio portrait of Brittany Diliberto, an elopement and wedding photographer | Bee Two Sweet Photography

Brittany Diliberto is an East Coast USA-based photographer capturing spectacular moments with creative, artistic, and inspirational angles. Drawing from a background in professional lighting design, Brittany imprints emotion in her work.

4250 (USD)
Xiaoqi Li - Artistic wedding and engagement photographer

Xiaoqi Li is a destination wedding photographer who is dedicated to capturing the genuine and meaningful moments of couples' special days. With a deep appreciation for the importance of photographs in preserving memories, she aims to provide peace of mind to her...

0 (USD)
Engagement Portrait Pro, Wedding and Elopement Photographer Johnny Shryock of the WPJA

USA-based wedding photographer Johnny Shryock has been documenting incredible moments since his own brother's wedding, ten years ago. He puts couples at ease, building a connection with them that allows him to capture the special moments of their wedding day.

4250 (USD)
Megan Rei, Documentary Style Wedding Photographer

Known for her expertise in capturing heartfelt moments, Megan Rei is a wedding photojournalist from the Washington metropolitan area. With a background in dog photography, she brings a unique perspective to every wedding.

4000 (USD)
Mike Kropf Wedding Photography in the USA

Mike Kropf is a passionate Charlotte wedding photojournalist. Fueled by his love of camping and exploring, Mike discovered his passion for preserving memories through artful photography in the Middle East.

3000 (USD)
Wedding, engagement and elopement photography by Anastasiia Polyakov, of So Tender Is Humanity

Anastasiia Polyakov's journalistic approach, combined with her creative vision, allows her to capture the true essence of human spirit and emotion in her wedding photography.

3500 (USD)
Color portrait of wedding photographer Lauren Barkume

A wedding photojournalist with a love for the Washington Metro Area, Lauren Barkume's passion for capturing nature's beauty and genuine emotions sets her images apart.

4990 (USD)
Portrait of wedding and elopement photographer Sarah Sta. Ana of Santa Ana Photography

Sarah Sta Ana is a documentary wedding photographer based in the Washington Metropolitan Area. With a love for storytelling, she has a knack for capturing raw, pure, and beautiful moments.

1800 (USD)

Heather Hughes Ostermaier, a Virginia wedding photographer, specializes in capturing unforgettable moments using a journalistic style. With her extensive background in photojournalism, she artfully and unobtrusively documents each wedding.

2999 (USD)
Portrait of Amber Lamphere, a Wedding Photographer in Richmond, VA

Amber is a highly acclaimed wedding photographer based in Richmond, Virginia. With over ten years of experience in capturing beautiful wedding moments, her work has been featured in top wedding publications. Amber specializes in weddings in the greater Virginian area and...

4750 (USD)
Emie McGee wedding photography studio - Emie's Photo LLC

Emie McGee is a Lynchburg, USA-based wedding photographer, specializing in creating timeless photos and developing a unique editing style inspired by film photography. With photo experience since 2018, she is here to make your wedding day stress-free.

3200 (USD)
Studio portrait of Wes Shinn - owner / wedding and elopement photography studio

Wes Shinn is a wedding photographer who has served for a decade as a military photojournalist, capturing major national disasters. His skill for capturing details and stories in an impactful way translates into awe-inspiring memorials of your wedding day.

3400 (USD)
Wedding photography by Michael Freas

Michael Freas is a photojournalistic wedding photographer. He puts the focus on your unique relationship, honoring all of those present. His commitment to stress-free joy, allowing couples to celebrate to the fullest, has made him one of the most reputable wedding...

Michael Freas

Asheville in North Carolina, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.
3800 (USD)

Neil Thurston is a destination wedding photographer who takes a documentary approach to storytelling through visual imagery. With a background in action sports photography and extensive international experience, Neil uses his unobtrusive style to capture the authentic...

Neil Thurston

Nags Head in North Carolina, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.
500/hour (USD)
New England wedding and elopement photography by Christine Hochkeppel

Based in New England, Christine Hochkeppel is an experienced wedding photographer with a decade of experience shooting weddings and has worked for various publications such as the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, Cape Cod Times, and the Boston Globe.

3675 (USD)
Kenneth Clapp, USA Creative Wedding Photography

Kenneth Clapp takes a documentary approach to wedding photography, focusing on storytelling through his visuals. With a keen eye for capturing emotions and moments, he crafts stunning images that truly reflect the essence of the couple's big day.

Kenneth Clapp

Baltimore in Maryland, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.
3000 (USD)
Song Johns wedding and elopement photography of Blooming Dreams Photo

Song Johns is an acclaimed documentary wedding photographer and the founder of Blooming Dreams Photo. With her unique artistic approach, she skillfully captures the genuine emotions and fleeting moments of each couple's wedding day.

Song Johns

Charlotte in North Carolina, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.
2900 (USD)
USA wedding photography by Lacey Butler

Lacey Butler, a wedding photographer with a strong background in traditional photography, studio lighting, and English literature. With over 400 documented weddings, Butler values capturing authentic, heartfelt moments over staged ones. By using her skills and experience,...

Lacey Butler

Cary in North Carolina, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.
2000 (USD)
At Work Image of Wedding Photographer Ted Felsberg

Ted Felsberg

Mays Landing in New Jersey, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.
5000 (USD)
Navarre wedding photography by Matt Kolf in Spain

Matt Kolf is an international wedding photographer. Originally from Washington D.C., he was inspired to pursue art history and photography through the likes of Velaquez, Rembrandt, and Norman Rockwell. Specifically, Kolf specializes in Catholic weddings in Spain and on the...

Matt Kolf

Washington DC in District Of Columbia, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.
3500 (USD)
Wedding, engagement and elopement photography by Natasha Lamalle

Natasha Lamalle is an honest story telling wedding photographer with fifteen years of experience as a journalist. Her keen ability to observe and capture the authentic and often fleeting moments of love, coupled with her trained eye and subtle approach to photography make...

4000 (USD)

Ken Pak is a Metro Capital DC area wedding photographer who captures the most natural once in a lifetime moments through his lenses. With unmatched creativity, dedication, and a professional attitude, he freezes wedding moments and makes them as beautiful as the couple...

Ken Pak

Washington DC in District Of Columbia, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.
3900 (USD)
Lifestyle Portrait of Wedding and Elopement Photographer Morgan O'Neil

Morgan O'Neil is a visual storyteller who expertly captures authentic and candid moments in vibrant coastal wedding photos. With 8 years of wedding experience, she also enjoys taking film photos in her free time and has a passion for boating, skiing, and live music.

Morgan O'Neil

Baltimore in Maryland, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.
4800 (USD)
Baltimore engagement wedding and elopement photography by Breanna Shaw

Using a journalistic approach, Breanna Shaw captures the essence of love and connection in her photography, making it her life's mission to share these moments with her clients.

Breanna Shaw

Reisterstown in Maryland, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.
3850 (USD)
Engagement, elopement, and wedding photography by Andrew Morrell

Utilizing a documentary approach, Andrew Morrell showcases his distinctive storytelling ability. Through his visual style, he artfully captures weddings and elopements, combining art, technology, and an element of improvisation.

Andrew Morrell

Cleveland in Ohio, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.
3600 (USD)
Colleen Stepanian - Documentary Wedding Photography

In her journalistic style, Colleen Stepanian, a visual storyteller and freelance photographer, captures poignant moments that preserve present reality for future nostalgia. She is driven by human connection, relationships, and vulnerability, embracing the responsibility to...

Colleen Stepanian

Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.
4800 (USD)
Engagement Portraits, Elopements and Wedding Photography by Anji Martin Potok's - World Photography, LLC

Traveling wedding photographer, Anji Martin, has been documenting special moments since childhood. With a passion for capturing moments for people, Anji now specializes in wedding and elopement photography, primarily serving couples in the Washington, DC, area but available...

Anji Martin

Washington in District Of Columbia, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.
4450 (USD)

Mary Kate McKenna is a documentary wedding photographer with 13 years of experience. She focuses on celebrating the union between two people through small weddings, courthouse weddings, and destination micro weddings.

Mary Kate McKenna

Frederick in Maryland, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.
2500 (USD)

With a documentary approach and a passion for storytelling, Ryan Rayburn captures the moments and emotions of couples' weddings. Drawing on his nine years of experience as a photographer in newspapers, he applies his visual storytelling skills to create a comprehensive...

Ryan Rayburn

Bethesda in Maryland, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.
2200 (USD)

Dan Harris is a US based wedding photographer with over 20 years experience working in newspapers. His lifelong affinity for photography was born when he was 8, learning about his mother's Kodak Brownie II camera. He has won several prestigious awards worldwide and has...

Dan Harris

Jacksonville in Florida, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.
400/hour (USD)
BW wedding and elopement photography by Brian Mullins

Brian Mullins is a North Carolina wedding photographer based in Raleigh. With a background in photography, cinematography, and concert lighting, Brian's unique visual arts experience has shaped his photography style and vision. He creates beautiful imagery that...

Brian Mullins

Apex in North Carolina, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.
3499 (USD)
Susannah Stevens, a DC, VA, and MD wedding photographer of Studio Lifetime Lens

Washington, D.C. native Susannah Stevens, an MA graduate in multimedia journalism from the Corcoran College of Art & Design, specializes in intimate weddings, micro-weddings, and elopements. Offering short-notice availability, she prioritizes meaningful moments. With an...

1100 (USD)
Lifestyle portrait of Annalee Durland-Jones, a Boston, MA Wedding Photographer

Annalee Durland-Jones is a wedding, travel, and adventure photographer based in New England. She discovered her passion for photography in high school and has been capturing authentic and sentimental moments ever since.

Annalee Durland-Jones

Boston in Massachusetts, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.
6000 (USD)
Lifestyle portrait of wedding photographer Tom Waldenberg

Tom Waldenberg, a documentary wedding photographer hailing from the Eastern U.S., combines his artistic flair and passion for storytelling to immortalize the genuine emotions of wedding couples.

Tom Waldenberg

Raleigh in North Carolina, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.
3000 (USD)
Lifestyle portrait of Aira Hickman, a family & wedding photographer

Maryland-based photographer Aira Hickman, a mother and Navy veteran's wife, skillfully captures genuine moments with an organic approach. Passionate since picking up her first camera, she prioritizes authenticity, aiming to make clients feel confident and loved.

Aira Hickman

Gambrills in Maryland, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.
880 (USD)

Map of Wedding Photojournalists Serving Virginia Couples

Virginia Wedding, Elopement and Engagement Images by WPJA Photographers

Below are some Virginia wedding photography samples from the world’s best wedding photographers of the WPJA. Some of these Virginia marriage pictures might be artistic portraits, details, or documentary-style images that have come from getting ready sessions, wedding ceremonies, reception venues, or Virginia engagement portrait sessions with couples.

In Virginia at Poplar Springs Manor in Warrenton, the bride playfully smashes cake into the groom's face, causing it to fall off as they both share a joyous laugh.
At Inn at Mount Vernon Farm in Sperryville, VA, the bride's sister hurries to find water for the nervous bride before the wedding ceremony.
Bride and her bridesmaids share a candid moment in the nursery at Grace Episcopal Church in Alexandria, VA, just before the ceremony.
Emotional moment captured at Early Mountain Vineyards in Charlottesville, Virginia, as the bride and her brother embrace and shed tears after the ceremony.
Two beautiful brides celebrating joyfully during a bubble exit at Naked Mountain Winery in Markham, VA, filled with excitement and happiness.
Brides share a dance surrounded by loved ones at their wedding reception at Lydia Mountain Lodge and Log Cabins in Stanardsville, VA.
A captivating embrace in the rain, symbolizing their love's journey. This award-winning portrait captures the scene shared by the newlyweds at The Estate at River Run, Maidens VA.
At The Estate at River Run in Maidens, VA, two eager dogs on leashes sniff the adorable toddler flower girl
In Winchester, Virginia, a heartwarming moment unfolds as the bride presents a gift to her flower girl before the wedding ceremony. The precious expression on the little girl's face captures the love and anticipation in the air.
Photographer captures guests at a wedding in Charlottesville, Virginia, dancing and enjoying donuts. The lively image was recognized with an award from the Wedding Photojournalist Association.
A couple shares a kiss in front of their loved ones at the beautiful Woodlands at Algonkian in Sterling, VA. This image won an award from the WPJA.
The bride leads her guests away from the summit at Shenandoah National Park in the rain, creating a memorable and adventurous wedding experience

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can a wedding photojournalist create artistic portraits on my Virginia wedding day?
A: While wedding photojournalists strive to capture candid moments on the wedding day, our photographers also are skilled artists who can compose powerful portraits. If you have a specific vision of what types of images you want from your wedding day, look at the top-ranked Virginia wedding photographers who have earned Artistic Guild awards for portrait and detail images.
Q: Where can I find a photographer for a short-notice, small Virginia wedding?
A: There are many WPJA photographers who are able to help you out at a moment's notice. We understand that sometimes love happens and there's simply no time to lose. We can ensure that you can get married as quickly as possible — and have incredible photographs to remember your Virginia wedding day by.
Q: How can couples find top-ranked Virginia wedding photographers?
A: The WPJA created the original wedding photographer ranking systems. Our innovative system is based on contest winning points, meaning that the Virginia photographers you see at the top of your search results page have recently won the most — and the most recent — contest awards. Our contests judge photographers based on their creativity, style, composure, and ability to capture the heart of any couple's story on their wedding day.
WPJA Communiqué: Featured Wedding Photography Articles
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...Read more
So your wedding is just around the corner and you’ve decided to elope , either because you want to do this on a budget , avoid a large wedding party, or simply to enjoy the day together with minimal distractions and as little stress as possible . They say 'all you need is...Read more
While some people live for the hustle and bustle of a big wedding with extravagant décor and an impossibly long guest list, others find these kinds of weddings to be too much hoopla, preferring instead something simpler and quieter, allowing for more intimacy between them...Read more

RAVES, REVIEWS, AND Virginia WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER RECOMMENDATIONS

Kitty Hawk Wedding Photography by Neil GT Photographer

Heather and Andrew

Photo by Neil Thurston

Wow! I am speechless, these photos are absoloutely amazing! Thank you so much for capturing these precious moments on our wedding day!

Wedding image from Celebrations At the Reservoir, Richmond, Virginia, USA

Anna & Justin

Photo by Xiaoqi Li

Xiaoqi: We wanted to thank you for your exceptional service especially how challenging 2020 turned out to be. Your small trinkets (the unexpected cookies!) made getting married a delightful process. We were on the fence about having a wedding and now that we have done it, we are so glad we made the choice to proceed. You were an enormous part of our pleasant, beautiful, amazing experience. Thank you. Love, Anna & Justin

Neil GT Photography Outer Banks Wedding Photographer

Teri and Michael

Photo by Neil Thurston

Thank you so incredibly much for everything! Everyone that sees our pictures says WOW! and that we just radiate happiness, and that is the perfect compliment because that's exactly how we felt and you captured it perfectly! We will cherish these photos forever. Hopefully our paths cross again one day, perhaps for family photos!