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 and their fiancés on this special day. So how do you infuse your wedding with all the romance but none of the fuss? ALONE AT LAST Many couples these days are opting to elope rather than planning a large wedding. For the no-...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!
San Jose Wedding Photographers
Wedding Photographers of San Jose, California - Northern
Alameda, Antioch, Berkeley, Concord, Daly City, Fairfield, Fremont, Hayward, Oakland, Richmond, Santa Clara, Santa Rosa, Sunnyvale, Vallejo
San Jose Elopement Photographers
YOU CAN'T STOP LOVE - In recent days, some of our United States 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 California - Northern Weddings
Shooting an elopement or small San Jose 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 justice of the peace, DIY - do it yourself, civil ceremony, 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 intimate, modern, 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 San Jose Couples
8 Documentary Wedding Photographers...
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)
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)
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’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)
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)
Being more confident standing behind the camera and creating the stories than writing, I could only help you to understand more about my philosophy about photography. I always believe photographs were a way to "freeze" cherished moments and memories. I think that they cannot be reproduced, and without a camera, they would be gone forever. So, every day, I pursue the love of photography and have learned new ways to see the world through lenses. Presently, I decided to build a milestone in my journey by offering service as a wedding documentary photographer to clients! I look forward to showing them my unique perspective in capturing their precious moments and memories as a way to preserve them for years to come. My journey continues, and I hope you will join me! [Orange County Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
2500 (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)
I would describe my style of wedding photography as photojournalistic. While capturing formal portraits are important, I also believe that catching the ambiance of your day and 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 a document long after the day has passed you by. High school introduced me to photography and there I spent my waking hours deep within the dark room. Upon graduating, I set off to art school to study Fine Art Photography (2001-2005), where I was introduced to art theory and artist's studio practices. After college, I flexed my logistical side and worked with art fair companies (2004-2012) to share contemporary art to communities in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, and New York. Soon I transitioned into a small business owner and realized my goal of becoming a full-time photographer. So if you will, find comfort in knowing that art and photography are a part of my physiological make-up and the path I've taken shows this. Photography is more than a passion for me, it is the frame in which I have chosen to live my life. My camera and I stay vigilant throughout your day, which no doubt will have many moving parts, while maintaining an unobtrusive and honest presence. Stay in the moment and I will 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 model early on. It hasn't escaped me how becoming a small business owner has changed my life for the better and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to see my goals through. I believe when you are given a chance to work hard towards a goal that leads to a better quality of life, a life that you deliberately design for yourself, it can be transformative and ripple positively outwards. The empowerment that results is truly priceless and I believe that all people have the right to choose what they want for themselves and see their goals come to fruition. Struggle is real, I've been through my share, and I feel it's time to do my part to help fellow builders and dreamers. [Los Angeles Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
1250 (USD)
Wedding Venues from San Jose
Please select a venue below to view all associated winning photos.
Wedding Engagement Diamond Awards - San Jose
Are you ready to find your San Jose 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 San Jose Wedding Photojournalist Association would like to help you add some unique and artistic pictures to your engagement photo gallery!
Searches Related to San Jose Wedding Photography Vendors
WPJA Communiqué: Features
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 love', but where exactly can you afford to trim the fat, so to speak? You want simplicity, but you also want to be properly married and, surely, to remember this occasion. Who, then, could be more important than...Read more
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 themselves in the position of paying for all of their own wedding expenses, which can be quite the financial burden to take on, and about 40% of Millennials end up in this boat. So, how can you stick to your allotted...Read more
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
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
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
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
Lauren & Jason
Photo by Gina Clyne
Gina these are so great!!! It's so fun seeing them after time has gone by and the weather is cooling off. Such an awesome summer day that you captured SO well. We love these, I cant wait to comb through all of them. Thank you for your amazing craft. The family pictures are so special!
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.
