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Lake Tahoe Wedding Photographers

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Lake Tahoe Wedding Photographers

Our Lake Tahoe photographers also provide documentary-style coverage in: Truckee, Sierra Nevada, Carnelian Bay, Incline Village, Kings Beach, Northstar, Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows, Tahoe City, Homewood, Meeks Bay, Stateline, Meyers, Kirkwood, Heavenly, Zephyr Cove, Glenbrook, Sand Harbor

Lake Tahoe Wedding Photography, Engagement Photo Sessions + Elopements

Intimate Wedding Photography in Lake Tahoe - Capturing the Joy of Small Celebrations - Discover the best Lake Tahoe photographers specializing in intimate marriages. Couples are embracing the trend of smaller, more meaningful celebrations. Let our talented photographers capture the happiness and closeness of your intimate, casual, religious, or at-home wedding.

By planning a simple Lake Tahoe elopement, couples are able to stay present in the moment and fully absorb the impact of their wedding day. With many couples feeling more comfortable and relaxed in intimate settings, it is not surprising that some of the most sincere and touching wedding photos are captured at smaller celebrations.

The WPJA has an abundance of top-ranked, Lake Tahoe documentary wedding photographers available right now who understand that some weddings can’t wait. Find yours today!
Recent WPJA WedElope Story Awards
Holy Temple Wedding Ceremony Image in BW | An ornate chandelier hanging above the bride and groom as they kiss
Sofia Camplioni
The bride and groom shared a small, intimate wedding ceremony overlooking the sea from the cliffs, with a beautiful blue sky and bright sunshine
Joyce Perlman
For their small wedding, the couple chose to elope and rode their bikes to the county clerk's office for a quick civil ceremony, with their family members watching and celebrating via Zoom
Lauren Lindley

Lake Tahoe Photographers for Large or Small Weddings

Shooting an elopement or small Lake Tahoe 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.

California - Northern WPJA members are ready to document any self solemnization, town hall, civil ceremony, or any other type of elopement wedding, even if it is a Monday-Thursday ceremony. Search for the “Can Shoot Weddings on Short Notice!” message on the listings below.

11 Lake Tahoe Wedding Photographers...

Adventure weddings and elopement photography by Lauren Lindley

Lauren Lindley specializes in elopement photography, making clients feel comfortable in front of her lens. She is a talented wedding photojournalist and artistic portrait photographer, capturing unforgettable moments with her skill and creativity.

Lauren Lindley

South Lake Tahoe in California, US
76
7
41
4200 (USD)
Adventure marriage images by Nicky Byrnes of Nemus Wedding Photography

Nicky Byrnes, an elopement photographer, is well-versed in documentary wedding photography with a lifelong passion for capturing moments. Armed with a photojournalism degree and recognized work in both print and online magazines, she brings a unique artistic perspective.

Nicky Byrnes

Carnelian Bay in California, US *Now booking Lake Tahoe weddings.
48
1
7
3900 (USD)
Capture beautiful moments on your special day with the talented wedding photographer Chris Werner in Northern California's stunning Lake Tahoe.

Chris Werner is a Lake Tahoe wedding photojournalist, engagement portrait photographer, and an artistic wedding portrait photographer with over 25 years of professional experience. He started his career by studying black and white film in 1994 and has since developed a fine...

Chris Werner

Truckee in California, US *Now booking Lake Tahoe weddings.
49
3
30
3850 (USD)
Adventure wedding and elopement photography by Kimmi Cranes

Based in Lake Tahoe, California and Nevada, Kimmi Cranes is a wedding photojournalist and portrait photographer, specializing in elopements. With a decade of professional experience and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from UC Santa Cruz, she expertly captures the emotions...

Kimmi Cranes

South Lake Tahoe in California, US
11
2
3
52
2000 (USD)
Kevin Sawyer for Elopements and Weddings and Engagement Photography

Kevin Sawyer is an award-winning documentary wedding photographer who specializes in creating artful, photojournalistic images of your special day. He is a destination wedding photographer who is passionate about capturing those unforgettable moments.

Kevin Sawyer

Lake Tahoe in California, US
58
1
67
3000 (USD)
Black and White Headshot of elopement, engagement and wedding photographer David Braun

David Braun is an artistic wedding photographer with a background in portrait art. With an artistic approach and extensive freelance experience, he excels in capturing the natural and unforgettable moments of wedding ceremonies. His expertise lies in anticipating and...

David Braun

South Lake Tahoe in California, US
1
4
1
1250 (USD)
California wedding and elopement photographer Annie Bang

California wedding photojournalist and creative engagement portrait photographer Annie Bang is a former journalist and Associated Press reporter. With a focus on capturing real moments and emotions, she uses documentary and photojournalistic photography to create timeless...

Annie Bang

Los Angeles in California, US *Now booking Lake Tahoe weddings.
166
1
21
2500 (USD)
Northern California wedding photography by Drew Bird - Creative Storytelling

Drew Bird, a Bay Area wedding photographer, uses his years of experience to capture authentic, unscripted expressions of beauty, love, and connection in his photographs. With a focus on storytelling through images, Drew is skilled in portraying the emotions and unique...

Drew Bird

Oakland in California, US *Now booking Lake Tahoe weddings.
23
3
15
12
7
3500 (USD)

Dennis Viera, an award-winning wedding photojournalist, holds almost a decade of experience in this field. Starting his photography career in high school, he has traveled globally with his family to capture life's moments.

Dennis Viera

Rohnert Park in California, US *Now booking Lake Tahoe weddings.
29
1
4
4
5000 (USD)
Lifestyle street portrait of Danette Chappell, a Nevada & California wedding photographer

From her humble beginnings as an intern in the vibrant city of Chicago to her current role as a documentary wedding photographer, Danette Chappell has perfected her craft, creating captivating visuals that immortalize love stories in NV and CA.

Danette Chappell

Reno in Nevada, US *Now booking Lake Tahoe weddings.
1
1
1
1225 (USD)
Reno Nevada & Lake Tahoe California Wedding Photography by Rachel Gazes

Wedding photographer and officiant Rachel Gazes, based in Reno/Tahoe, with nearly a decade of experience. Skilled in photography and ceremony officiating, she excels at working with families, pets, and calming nerves on wedding days.

Rachel Gazes

Reno in Nevada, US *Now booking Lake Tahoe weddings.
1
2
3
2600 (USD)

Map of Wedding Photojournalists Serving Lake Tahoe Couples

Lake Tahoe Wedding, Elopement and Engagement Images by WPJA Photographers

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

In South Lake Tahoe, CA, a young girl entertains herself by making silly faces in the mirror.
After saying their vows, the newlyweds glow as they make their way through a shower of confetti in the beautiful backdrop of South Lake Tahoe.
A couple enjoys their dog at a picnic under the trees at Valhalla Estate in South Lake Tahoe, CA. The engaged pair, with big smiles on their faces, are captured in this fun engagement portrait.
An adorable surprise during the wedding ceremony at Stateline Brewery in South Lake Tahoe, CA: an infant joins the bride and groom on stage.
A couple shares a joyful moment on a snowy balcony at Palisades Tahoe Ski Resort, raising their glasses in celebration of their special day.
Sand Harbor, Lake Tahoe, Nevada: Newlyweds wander amidst colossal granite boulders overlooking the turquoise waters of Lake Tahoe, capturing serene natural beauty.
Lake Tahoe, NV: A couple walks hand in hand along a beach with the glow of the sunset and Lake Tahoe behind them. Creative portrait by a NV wedding photographer.
A couple portrait by a Lake Tahoe wedding photographer, featuring a couple holding hands and looking at each other surrounded by rugged rocks on the beach of Lake Tahoe. This image captures a romantic scene in a fine art style.
Sand Harbor State Park in Nevada provides a stunning backdrop as a couple embraces on the boulders of the shore of Lake Tahoe. Captured by a Nevada wedding photographer, this image showcases the beauty and romance of the couple in a natural setting.
At Valhalla Tahoe in South Lake Tahoe, an award-winning wedding photographer captured a close-up shot of a bride carefully selecting from a variety of bangles for her special day.
The Lake Forest Beach in Tahoe City, CA sets the scene for a captivating lifestyle couple portrait. Embracing on a bridge, the couple is off center in the frame with the picturesque expanse of Lake Tahoe behind. A playful leg lift adds a touch of romance.
Lifestyle couple portrait at Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe, CA. A couple joyfully celebrates their love, popping champagne together on the bow of a boat, framed in the center of the picture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can couples find top-ranked Lake Tahoe wedding photographers?
A: The WPJA created the original wedding photographer ranking systems. Our innovative system is based on contest winning points, meaning that the Lake Tahoe 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.
Q: Can a wedding photojournalist create artistic portraits on my Lake Tahoe 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 Lake Tahoe wedding photographers who have earned Artistic Guild awards for portrait and detail images.
Q: Who are the best Lake Tahoe wedding photographers for small elopements?
A: The WPJA is proud to have some of the top Lake Tahoe documentary wedding photographers for elopements. Our members are able to submit WedElope Stories that take you step-by-step, via a 9 image picture story, through the unique and moving elopements that take place around the world.
WPJA Communiqué: Featured Wedding Photography Articles
jperlman elk cove inn ceremony
Top 4 Types of Small Weddings to Make Your Day Truly Yours
Everyone always says that your wedding day is all about you. But let’s face it; that’s not always actually the case. Many couples stress over guest lists, planning, expenses, and all the frills and traditions of your standard large wedding that they may or may not even be...Read more
Vows, Crowds, and Nerves: Avoid Stress with a Small Wedding
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
Jola Mulder, of Overijssel, is a wedding photographer for
Bringing it Home: The Joys of a Backyard Wedding
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...Read more

WPJA Communiqué: Viewpoints
Elopements: Traditional and Modern
The oldsters among the WPJA ranks no doubt remember when 'to elope' meant, in Merriam-Webster’s definition, “to run away secretly with the intention of getting married, usually without parental consent.” Many wedding photographers have gone on the lam with couples who did just that. However, even Merriam-Webster now acknowledges that “elope appears to have become shorthand for ‘ small destination weddings ,’ a ‘ wedding that is not financially insane ,’ or a ‘ wedding that allows us to not invite all the people we would rather not invite .’” Smaller Weddings are... Read more
What is Reportage?
On Instagram and elsewhere, one can see images labeled as #photojournalism or #reportage when they are, in fact, merely photos. I say "merely," even though photography has been my career's great passion. But it's because of that passion and my respect for the work of actual photojournalists that I am particularly bothered to see wedding photographers call their work "reportage." That word properly used actually means something important beyond just a stylistic conceit. By contrast, however, I'm the lead cheerleader for those practitioners of #weddingphotojournalism ... Read more

RAVES, REVIEWS, AND Lake Tahoe WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER RECOMMENDATIONS

Edgewood at Tahoe wedding ceremony photography

LAURA AND SID

Photo by David Braun

Hi David, You were so great to work with and the pictures are really stunning. We will leave you a review ASAP, hoping to get to it this weekend! Thank you for everything!

View Photographer

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

View Photographer
The bride and groom, joyfully celebrated their wedding with vows outdoors in Hope Valley California

Lara & Dillon

Photo by Rachel Gazes

Rachel, thank you SO MUCH! These are STUNNING! I was so nervous about pictures being plus-sized and you have made me feel gorgeous. You are such an artist, and I truly cannot thank you enough for all you have done! Again, THANK YOU for making our day absolutely perfect. We'll be booking any future photography with you!

View Photographer

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.