San Francisco Wedding Photographers

San Francisco Wedding Photographers

Our San Francisco photographers also provide documentary-style coverage in: Oakland, Fremont, Santa Rosa, Hayward, Sunnyvale, Concord, Santa Clara, Vallejo

San Francisco Wedding Photography, Engagement Photo Sessions + Elopements

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

By planning a simple San Francisco 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, San Francisco documentary wedding photographers available right now who understand that some weddings can’t wait. Find yours today!

Recent WPJA WedElope Story Awards

San Francisco Photographers for Large or Small Weddings

Shooting an elopement or small San Francisco 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 courthouse, justice of the peace, minimony, 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.

23 San Francisco Wedding Photographers...

Studio portrait of wedding photographer Tanushree Vaidya

Tanushree Vaidya is a talented wedding photojournalist and artistic portrait photographer. With a background in commerce, hair artistry, portrait photography, and graphic design, she brings a unique perspective to her work. Having experienced shooting across 14 countries,...

Tanushree Vaidya

Hayward in California, US *Now booking San Francisco weddings.
4000 (USD)
Weddings by Chris Shum, Life Photographer

Chris Shum is a wedding, engagement, lifestyle, and family photographer with a lifelong passion for art. With his artistic eye and unobstructive approach, Chris captures the beauty and joy of weddings, creating elegant, storytelling photographs that couples can treasure...

Chris Shum

Sunnyvale in California, US *Now booking San Francisco weddings.
4500 (USD)
Northern CA, Wedding Photography by Joyce Perlman, serving Carmel and Big Sur

N. CA based Joyce Perlman is a skilled wedding photojournalist featuring contemporary and documentary-style images. With an extensive background in fine art and visual design, she excels at capturing the essence of elopements and bigger weddings.

4500 (USD)
Northern California wedding photography by Drew Bird - Creative Storytelling

Drew Bird is a San Francisco Bay Area-based wedding photographer with years of experience. His focus is on telling stories through photographs, capturing authentic and unscripted expressions of beauty, love and connection.

Drew Bird

Oakland in California, US *Now booking San Francisco weddings.
3500 (USD)

Douglas Despres is a photographer with a background in photojournalism and over 600 events photographed since 2002. Specializing in documentary-style shots with comfortable connections to family and guests, he brings his global photography experience to every shoot.

Douglas Despres

Alameda in California, US *Now booking San Francisco weddings.
750/hour (USD)
Edeelin Labra, Northern CA wedding photography

Northern California wedding photographer Edeelin Labra has a deep love for photography that began long ago. What began as a hobby has become a passionate pursuit for many years. Taking pictures of family and friends was much more than just snapping a shutter - it was...

Edeelin Labra

Vallejo in California, US *Now booking San Francisco weddings.
2000 (USD)
Tara Arrowood, Wedding Photographer

Tara Arrowood, a San Francisco-based wedding photojournalist with over 15 years of experience, excels in capturing candid moments with the perfect lighting and angles. Her photojournalistic style focuses on emotions, details, and the deep connections between people.

5500 (USD)

Debra Zeller is a San Francisco wedding photographer renowned for her ability to capture couples' personalities and moments in a relaxed, low-pressure atmosphere. She creates a special rapport with her clients to ensure the best possible results.

3000 (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 San Francisco weddings.
2500 (USD)
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 *Now booking San Francisco weddings.
4200 (USD)
Studio portrait of San Francisco wedding photographer Lisa Stone of the N California Wedding Photojournalist Association.

Lisa Stone is a wedding photographer with a Masters Degree in Photography, specializing in black and white documentary and abstract fine art. With over 300 weddings shot, she enjoys problem-solving and creating art with light. Outside of work, she loves film photography,...

4500 (USD)
California wedding photography by Jonathan Young

Jonathan Young is a California coast wedding photographer, with 20 years of experience, a photojournalist background, and an eye for detail. He captures the joy and emotion of each unique wedding day.

Jonathan Young

Palos Verdes Estates in California, US *Now booking San Francisco weddings.
5500 (USD)
California Couple Portrait Sessions and Wedding Photography by Stephanie Secrest

Stephanie Secrest is a wedding and engagement portrait photographer based in Central Coast CA. With a Master's in photojournalism, she has garnered recognition from renowned competitions such as Pictures of the Year.

Stephanie Secrest

Arroyo Grande in California, US *Now booking San Francisco weddings.
3300 (USD)
Adventure wedding and elopement photography by Kimmi Cranes

Kimmi Cranes is a California and Nevada wedding photojournalist and portrait photographer with a Bachelor of Fine Art degree from UC Santa Cruz, specializing in elopements. With over 10 years of professional experience, she is skilled at capturing the essence and emotions...

Kimmi Cranes

South Lake Tahoe in California, US *Now booking San Francisco weddings.
2000 (USD)
CA Engagemen, Wedding and Elopement Photography by Tyler Vu

Northern California wedding photographer, Tyler Vu, combines a background in graphics design with a simple philosophy to capture life as it happens. With a keen eye for composition and a focus on capturing meaningful moments, Tyler thrives on immortalizing the details and...

Tyler Vu

San Jose in California, US *Now booking San Francisco weddings.
4000 (USD)
Jerome Pollos Self Portrait, a wedding and elopement photographer of the WPJA

Jerome, a Navy photojournalist turned wedding photojournalist, takes a documentary approach to his work, using storytelling and visual techniques to capture authentic moments and create a compelling narrative.

Jerome Pollos

Coeur d'Alene in Idaho, US *Now booking San Francisco weddings.
2500 (USD)

Gingi Freeman, a passionate traveling wedding photojournalist based in Visalia, CA, specializes in non-intrusive, documentary-style weddings. With a background in art and storytelling, she captures real moments and raw emotions in a way that allows couples to be fully...

Gingi Freeman

Visalia in California, US *Now booking San Francisco weddings.
1400 (USD)

Maria Newman is a PNW wedding photojournalist with a background in photojournalism. She discovered her love for wedding photography when a friend asked her to photograph her wedding while she was in school.

Maria Newman

Portland in Oregon, US *Now booking San Francisco weddings.
2500 (USD)
California Documentary Wedding and Elopement Photography by Gina Clyne

Gina Clyne, CA wedding photographer, specializes in photojournalistic style imagery. She uses a gentle eye to capture formal portraits that reflect the personalities of couples while also documenting the subtle and profound moments of the day.

Gina Clyne

Los Angeles in California, US *Now booking San Francisco weddings.
2100 (USD)
Weddings, engagements and elopement photography by Kevin Kienitz

Kevin Kienitz

Aurora in Illinois, US *Now booking San Francisco weddings.
3000 (USD)
Jason Kaczorowski, Destination Wedding Photography - USA

A seasoned documentary wedding photographer, Jason Kaczorowski brings more than 18 years of experience to his craft, adeptly capturing over 650 weddings. His talent lies in creating timeless memories that encapsulate the essence of each relationship.

Jason Kaczorowski

Chicago in Illinois, US *Now booking San Francisco weddings.
3900 (USD)
Travel and destination wedding & elopement photography by Kathryn Cooper

Kathryn Cooper, a wedding photojournalist based in New York and California, specializes in unique wedding & elopement photography worldwide. With a background in travel and humanitarian photography, she offers adventurous couples creative, nontraditional, and joy-filled...

Kathryn Cooper

Pleasant Valley in New York, US *Now booking San Francisco weddings.
3600 (USD)
Studio portrait of Nemanja Zdravkovic, the main photographer at NZ WEDDING STUDIO

Nemanja Zdravkovic is a talented wedding photographer passionate about capturing love stories. With a background in visual storytelling and formal education in photography, he has been honing his craft since 2011 in Europe. His signature style combines fine art and...

Nemanja Zdravkovic

Los Angeles in California, US *Now booking San Francisco weddings.
2400 (USD)

Map of Wedding Photojournalists Serving San Francisco Couples

San Francisco Wedding, Elopement and Engagement Images by WPJA Photographers

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

A bride delicately handles her cherished wedding gown at a private residence in San Francisco, California.
A WPJA photographer captured the engaged duo in a picturesque San Francisco setting, the warm sunlight highlighting their love as they share a tender kiss by an Old World pillar.
Photographed by a WPJA professional in Northern California's San Francisco, this black and white closeup captures the tender intimacy of a nose-to-nose look between an engaged couple.
A bride stands as she receives help putting on her shoe in her room at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins in San Francisco, CA.
An engagement portrait session with a top pre-wedding photographer captures the love of this couple in San Francisco, California. His tender embrace behind her is met by her radiant smile.
The couple is walking through a city rooftop garden in San Francisco, CA, radiating joy and anticipation for their future together. Captured by a top pre-wedding photographer, their engagement portrait session is a glimpse of the beautiful journey ahead.
San Francisco, CA - Engaged lovers embrace in a romantic seaside setting during a pre-wedding photo session on a rainy day, standing near historic pier pilons.
San Francisco, CA - A lovely engagement portrait captures the couple's intimate lit kiss at twilight, embraced amidst a beautiful wooded setting.
San Francisco, CA - The engaged couple poses for a pre-wedding photo session at the beach, admiring the sunset and standing on the rocky shore.
In this photo, captured at Battery Yates in San Francisco, CA, the bride and groom are seen strolling through the abandoned setting, making for a gritty outdoor wedding portrait.
A dreamy kiss captured at the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco as a couple shares a romantic embrace in the ocean breeze on the nearby beach
The couple basks in the warm sunlight next to a majestic tree, with the alluring backdrop of the San Francisco Bay and iconic bridge in their pre wedding portrait session.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can couples find San Francisco photographers for pre-wedding engagement portraits?
A: The WPJA issues Diamond Awards for San Francisco 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: Can a wedding photojournalist create artistic portraits on my San Francisco 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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco wedding day by.
WPJA Communiqué: Featured Wedding Photography Articles
Traditionally speaking, often times it is the couple’s families who help pay for their wedding. However, unfortunately that’s just not possible for everyone, especially these days when the cost of weddings can quickly and easily get out of control. Some couples find...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...Read more
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...Read more

RAVES, REVIEWS, AND San Francisco WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER RECOMMENDATIONS

Eleanor & Dave

Photo by Douglas Despres

Doug you did the most FANTASTIC job! The photos are all so beautiful I can't even make a favorites list because they're all so great. I confess that I even teared up looking at them it was such a happy day and you captured everything. We're so grateful for all your efforts, we really can't imagine having had a different photographer there to share our day with us. Thank you so so much!

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