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Philadelphia Wedding Photographers

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Philadelphia Wedding Photographers

Our Philadelphia photographers also provide documentary-style coverage in: Center City, South Philadelphia, Southwest Philadelphia, West Philadelphia, Lower North Philadelphia, Upper North Philadelphia, River Wards, Roxborough-Manayunk, Germantown-Chestnut Hill, Olney-Oak Lane, Near Northeast Philadelphia, and Far Northeast Philadelphia

Philadelphia Wedding Photography, Engagement Photo Sessions + Elopements

Intimate Wedding Photography in Philadelphia - Capturing the Joy of Small Celebrations - Discover the best Philadelphia 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 unique, intimate, symbolic, or at-home wedding.

By planning a simple Philadelphia 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, Philadelphia documentary wedding photographers available right now who understand that some weddings can’t wait. Find yours today!
Recent WPJA WedElope Story Awards
Newlyweds enjoying a romantic drive in a vintage convertible, representing their deep bond and unity on their special day
Attila Ancsin
The bride requested that the wedding photographer capture an American Gothic portrait in front of the iconic wallpaper, to commemorate the timelessness of their special day
Andrew Morrell
Civil Town Hall Wedding Photography of Spaced out chairs and minimal guests
John Sanders

Philadelphia Photographers for Large or Small Weddings

Shooting an elopement or small Philadelphia 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.

Pennsylvania WPJA members are ready to document any town hall, justice of the peace, quick, 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.

View Award-Winning Pictures from Philadelphia Wedding Venues

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7 Philadelphia Wedding Photographers...

Studio portrait of John Ryan, wedding photographer of J&J Studios, LLC

With a background in documentary photography, John Ryan of J&J Studios is an exceptional wedding photographer who has been immersed in the art of capturing love stories since 2011.

John Ryan

Lafayette Hill in Pennsylvania, US *Now booking Philadelphia weddings.
22
93
3800 (USD)
Colleen Stepanian - Documentary Wedding Photography

Colleen Stepanian, a USA wedding photographer, approaches her work with a documentary approach, combining storytelling and visual elements. She believes in capturing the essence of human connection, relationships, and vulnerability, with the responsibility to preserve...

Colleen Stepanian

Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, US
3
4800 (USD)

Peter Doyle, famous for his documentary approach, takes wedding photography to a whole new level. With years of experience in exhibiting his work worldwide and having his photographs featured in the Philadelphia Museum of Art Collections, Peter's talent for documentary...

Peter Doyle

Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, US
9
1
2300 (USD)
Rylan Lott Wedding Photographer: Expertly documenting the romance, laughter, and tears of your special day with skill and artistry.

Rylan Earle-Lott is a skilled wedding photographer based in the Greater Philadelphia area. Specializing in a photojournalistic style, Rylan's work captures authentic connections and candid moments. With a background in fine arts and a keen eye for detail, Rylan excels...

Rylan Earle Lott

Westampton in New Jersey, US *Now booking Philadelphia weddings.
8
23
3650 (USD)
Casey Fatchett Wedding Photography

With a documentary approach, Casey Fatchett tells stories through his visual skills. Unobtrusive and capturing honest moments, his photography is filled with emotions and brings out the true essence of each wedding.

Casey Fatchett

New York in New York, US *Now booking Philadelphia weddings.
9
3
1
43
3300 (USD)
Engagement Portraits, Elopements and Wedding Photography by Anji Martin Potok's - World Photography, LLC

In a journalistic style, Anji Martin, a visual storyteller, has been capturing moments with her camera since childhood. Specializing in wedding and elopement photography, she primarily serves couples in the Washington, DC, area but is available for destination weddings.

Anji Martin

Washington in District Of Columbia, US *Now booking Philadelphia weddings.
3
25
4450 (USD)
Wedding and Elopement Photography by Kate Hagerty

Drawing from her experience in fine art framing, photojournalism, and acting, Kate Hagerty is a documentary wedding photographer who skillfully tells the story of couples on their wedding day.

Kate Hagerty

Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania, US *Now booking Philadelphia weddings.
1
3
2
3000 (USD)

Map of Wedding Photojournalists Serving Philadelphia Couples

Philadelphia Wedding Elopement Photography - WedElope

View WedElope Image Galleries by Philadelphia Wedding Photographers from Small Events and Intimate Elopements.

Philadelphia Wedding, Elopement and Engagement Images by WPJA Photographers

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

Captured amidst the bustling city streets of Philadelphia, this pre-wedding engagement session showcases the joy and love of a couple strolling along the iconic Broad Street median. In black and white, their laughter radiates above the urban streets.
A touching moment between a mother and son captured at the Switch House by Cescaphe Philadelphia, PA wedding reception venue illuminated by romantic candlelight and elegant chandeliers.
A heartwarming moment captured as a groom and his father prepare for the big day, surrounded by the elegance of Switch House by Cescaphe in Philadelphia.
A wedding image captured at the elegant Switch House, featuring a couple on the grand staircase under a chandelier.
In Philadelphia, PA, the world-renowned Art Museum Steps provide a stunning setting for an engagement photo session. The double exposure captures the couple's love against a backdrop of City Hall and the charming old buildings of Love Park.
A couple is framed within pussywillow branches during a warm afternoon sunlight engagement portrait session at FDR Park. The rim lighting from the sun highlights the foreground plants, creating a serene and intimate atmosphere.
A couple is silhouetted against the sunset at FDR Park, framed by a dramatic blue sky.
Engaged couple shares affectionate cuddle in Pennsylvania's Lincoln Financial Field in front of iconic Philadelphia Eagles logo, and lit by photographer.
Engaged couple poses on the iconic Eagles field at Lincoln Financial Field in Pennsylvania, expertly lit by the photographer.
A stunning image captured at the Merchant's Exchange building in Philadelphia features a dramatic spotlight illuminating the brides in a silhouette, after their intimate elopement.
In Philadelphia, PA, during a couple's pre-ceremony portrait session, one partner steals a kiss while the other laughs.
Engaged couple posed in front of vibrant artwork at Garage Passayunk bar in Philadelphia.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can couples find Philadelphia photographers for pre-wedding engagement portraits?
A: The WPJA issues Diamond Awards for Philadelphia wedding photographers to showcase their best engagement photography work. These awards are given to photographers who prove that they have an ability to be creative, artistic, and intuitive while working on-location with couples who are newly engaged.
Q: Who are the best Philadelphia wedding photographers for small elopements?
A: The WPJA is proud to have some of the top Philadelphia 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.
Q: Where can I find a photographer for a short-notice, small Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia wedding day by.
WPJA Communiqué: Featured Wedding Photography Articles
Essential Elopement Vendor - The Photographer
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
What is a Modern Elopement?
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...Read more
Wedding Economy: The Ups and Downs
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...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 Philadelphia WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER RECOMMENDATIONS

New York wedding photographer at Duck Walk Vineyard, Long Island

Suzanne and Ilya

Photo by Casey Fatchett

You and your entire crew were so phenomenal yesterday. Thank you so much for all your help and being so dedicated and helpful and cheerful and energetic. When the weather opened up out of nowhere, it was a shock and I didn't see how the day was going to turn around. But you guys made it so nice and put so much effort into getting us the shots we were hoping for despite the curveball. I just wanted to extend a big thank you and let you know how much we appreciated it.

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WPJA contest judges have been recognized by their industry peers, winning top awards as staff picture editors, staff photojournalists, and newsroom mentors while working for these and other leading publications and journalism organizations.