Washington DC Wedding Photographers

Washington DC Wedding Photographers

Our Washington DC photographers also provide documentary-style coverage in: District of Columbia, United States Capitol, Washington, D.C., Federal Capital City, Federal District, Washington Monument, U.S. Capitol Building, Lincoln Memorial, Reflecting Pool

Washington DC Wedding Photography, Engagement Photo Sessions + Elopements

Intimate Wedding Photography in Washington DC - Capturing the Joy of Small Celebrations - Discover the best Washington DC 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 Washington DC 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, Washington DC documentary wedding photographers available right now who understand that some weddings and elopements can’t wait. Find yours today!

Recent WPJA WedElope Story Awards

Washington DC Photographers for Large or Small Weddings

Shooting an elopement or small Washington DC 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 secret, courthouse, 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.

32 Washington DC Wedding Photographers...

Navarre wedding photography by Matt Kolf in Spain

With a background in art history and photography, Matt Kolf has established himself as a reputable documentary wedding photographer, renowned for his ability to document Catholic weddings in Spain and on the East Coast.

3500 (USD)
Wedding, engagement and elopement photography by Natasha Lamalle

Natasha Lamalle takes a documentary approach to her photography, drawing on her fifteen years of experience as a journalist. With her keen eye and storytelling abilities, she skillfully captures the authentic and emotional moments of love.

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...

3900 (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 Washington DC weddings.
4450 (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)
Studio portrait of wedding and elopement photographer Erica Dietz

In her journalistic style, Erica Dietz emerges as a skilled visual storyteller, adept at capturing candid moments with artful precision and thoughtful use of light. With a background as an intern at the Valley News Dispatch, she excels in guiding couples toward relaxed and...

Erica Dietz

Slippery Rock in Pennsylvania, US *Now booking Washington DC weddings.
4000 (USD)
Studio portrait of Brittany Diliberto, an elopement and wedding photographer | Bee Two Sweet Photography

Drawing from her background in professional lighting design, Brittany Diliberto, an East Coast USA-based photographer, applies a documentary approach to her visual storytelling. Through her artistic lens, she skillfully captures spectacular moments, creating a visual...

Brittany Diliberto

Arlington in Virginia, US *Now booking Washington DC weddings.
4250 (USD)
Shaun Baker - Wedding Photographer and Couple Portrait Professional

USA-based Shaun Baker is a wedding photojournalist, engagement portrait photographer, and artistic wedding portrait photographer. He transitioned from video to photography after college and has been capturing weddings since 2009.

Shaun Baker

San Diego in California, US *Now booking Washington DC weddings.
2900 (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...

Xiaoqi Li

Charlottesville in Virginia, US *Now booking Washington DC weddings.
0 (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 Washington DC weddings.
3800 (USD)
Studio portrait of engagement, wedding and elopement photographer Scott Josuweit

Scott Josuweit, a wedding photojournalist based in the USA, skillfully and artistically captures significant moments, providing a genuine and memorable experience for each couple.

Scott Josuweit

York in Pennsylvania, US *Now booking Washington DC weddings.
3500 (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 Washington DC weddings.
3000 (USD)
Engagement Portrait Pro, Wedding and Elopement Photographer Johnny Shryock of the WPJA

Adopting a documentary approach, USA-based wedding photographer Johnny Shryock employs his storytelling talent to capture incredible moments since his own brother's wedding a decade ago. By establishing a genuine connection with couples, he creates a comfortable...

Johnny Shryock

Arlington in Virginia, US *Now booking Washington DC weddings.
4250 (USD)
Megan Rei, Documentary Style Wedding Photographer

With a passion for storytelling through images, Megan Rei is a documentary wedding photographer based in the Washington metropolitan area. Combining her experience in dog photography with her love for traveling, Megan strives to create a visual narrative that captures...

Megan Rei

Bristow in Virginia, US *Now booking Washington DC weddings.
4000 (USD)
Color portrait of wedding photographer Lauren Barkume

Lauren Barkume is a Washington Metro Area wedding photographer with a passion for nature, travel and joy. She has a unique photographic style, creating beautiful images with soul and story. Lauren believes in helping people feel seen and empowering them to be their true...

Lauren Barkume

Alexandria in Virginia, US *Now booking Washington DC weddings.
4990 (USD)
Wedding, engagement and elopement photography by Anastasiia Polyakov, of So Tender Is Humanity

Wedding photographer Anastasiia Polyakov is an experienced creative based in the US for 10 years. Using her upbringing, Anastasiia celebrates human spirit and emotion with her photography. Mixing compassion and expressions, Anastasiia aims to memorialize the essence of...

Anastasiia Polyakov

Arlington in Virginia, US *Now booking Washington DC weddings.
3500 (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.

Mike Kropf

Charlottesville in Virginia, US *Now booking Washington DC weddings.
3000 (USD)
Lifestyle Portrait of Wedding and Elopement Photographer Morgan O'Neil

Morgan O'Neil takes a documentary approach to her photography, skillfully capturing wedding moments with a camera. Specializing in vibrant coastal wedding photos, she uses her storytelling skills to create visually compelling images.

Morgan O'Neil

Baltimore in Maryland, US *Now booking Washington DC 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 Washington DC weddings.
3850 (USD)
Portrait of wedding and elopement photographer Sarah Sta. Ana of Santa Ana Photography

Washington Metropolitan Area wedding photographer Sarah Sta Ana is a documentary photographer with a passion for storytelling and capturing raw, pure, and beautiful moments. Initially drawn to the world of non-profits, she moved to Washington, DC to further develop her...

Sarah Sta Ana

Aldie in Virginia, US *Now booking Washington DC weddings.
1800 (USD)
Engagement, elopement, and wedding photography by Andrew Morrell

In his journalistic style, Andrew Morrell, a visual storyteller, captures unique moments that blend art and technology, inspired by his love of music and improvisation at the weddings and elopements he photographs.

Andrew Morrell

Cleveland in Ohio, US *Now booking Washington DC weddings.
3600 (USD)

Pro Italian wedding photographer Marta Buso (born 1978, Venice). Skilled in reportage, portrait and wedding photography. Graduated from the University of Venice in Philosophy and worked on international co-operation projects.

Marta Buso

Venezia in Venezia, IT *Now booking Washington DC weddings.
1600 (EUR)

Kevin Quinlan is a skilled photographer with a documentary approach, specializing in storytelling through visuals. With his unobtrusive style, he captures authentic moments to create a narrative that truly reflects the essence of the event. Kevin's expertise has been...

Kevin Quinlan

Newark in Delaware, US *Now booking Washington DC weddings.
2250 (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 Washington DC weddings.
2500 (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.

Heather Hughes Ostermaier

Newport News in Virginia, US *Now booking Washington DC weddings.
2999 (USD)
Image of William West, Documentary Wedding Photographer

In 2006, William embarked on his journey as a wedding photojournalist, adopting a journalistic style to capture beautiful and authentic moments. With an unobtrusive approach, he skillfully documents the intimate relationships and stories that unfold on a couple's...

William West

in New Jersey, US *Now booking Washington DC weddings.
3850 (USD)

Ryan Rayburn brings nine years of photographic journalism experience and a degree in photography to bear on capturing all the memories of couples’ special day. His considerable skill and proven track record ensure that couples’ wedding experience will be permanently...

Ryan Rayburn

Bethesda in Maryland, US *Now booking Washington DC weddings.
2200 (USD)
Emie McGee wedding photography studio - Emie's Photo LLC

Emie McGee, a talented documentary wedding photographer from Lynchburg, VA, brings her expertise and passion for film photography to capture your special day in a unique and unforgettable way.

Emie McGee

Lynchburg in Virginia, US *Now booking Washington DC weddings.
3200 (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...

Amber Lamphere

Lynchburg in Virginia, US *Now booking Washington DC weddings.
4750 (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.

Wes Shinn

Chesapeake in Virginia, US *Now booking Washington DC weddings.
3400 (USD)
Weddings by Ryan & Kate for elopements and marriage photography - Portrait of Ryan Howard Sigesmund

Ryan Howard Sig is a commercial and editorial photographer specializing in weddings. With a background in multimedia arts and a passion for photography developed while traveling in Europe, Ryan has been capturing beautiful moments since 2004.

Ryan Howard Sigesmund

Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania, US *Now booking Washington DC 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 Washington DC weddings.
880 (USD)

Map of Wedding Photojournalists Serving Washington DC Couples

Washington DC Wedding, Elopement and Engagement Images by WPJA Photographers

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

An older couple shares a laugh at District Winery in Washington DC as the husband playfully steals food from his wife during the reception.
Newlyweds sharing a laugh in front of the US Capitol at 101 Constitution, Washington, DC, capturing a joyful moment during their outdoor, sunny wedding ceremony.
Groom lovingly washes bride's feet during foot washing ceremony at Foundry United Methodist Church in Washington DC as her sisters look on, a sacred and touching moment.
Wedding detail image showcasing appetizers suspended above a floral centerpiece, captured from a higher perspective. Located at Little Pearl in Washington DC.
Award-winning wedding photographer captures a stunning silhouette of couple embracing amidst the iconic, majestic dome of the Capitol in Washington DC.
In Washington, DC at The Morrow Hotel, a wedding portrait session reveals the groom whimsically directing himself forward, while the bride gleefully partakes in his humor.
A creative and lively pre-wedding engagement portrait capturing the joy of a couple in a playful session in downtown Washington DC. The couple takes center stage in a multi-frame composite shot.
Washington DC's Lincoln's Cottage: Bride showcasing dance moves as she finds herself sandwiched between two groomsmen
A couple on the National Mall in Washington DC posed for their engagement portrait session, standing in the center of the frame with calm flat waters providing a serene backdrop as they lovingly embraced and smiled.
A couple about to wed posed for their engagement portrait session at the National Mall in Washington DC, embracing under a tree with a tranquil water reflection.
A couple about to wed poses for their engagement portrait session inside Union Station in Washington DC, with three symmetrical wreaths gracefully hanging above them on a dark wall.
A couple about to tie the knot posed for their engagement portrait session in Washington DC, with the sunset beautifully illuminating them as the photographer captured the iconic Washington monument in the backdrop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who are the best Washington DC wedding photographers for small elopements?
A: The WPJA is proud to have some of the top Washington DC 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: How can couples find Washington DC photographers for pre-wedding engagement portraits?
A: The WPJA issues Diamond Awards for Washington DC 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: How can couples find top-ranked Washington DC wedding photographers?
A: The WPJA created the original wedding photographer ranking systems. Our innovative system is based on contest winning points, meaning that the Washington DC 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
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
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
Jola Mulder, of Overijssel, is a wedding photographer for
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

RAVES, REVIEWS, AND Washington DC WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER RECOMMENDATIONS

Grounds for Sculpture, Princeton, NJ wedding image in black and white of the couple cutting their cake

Tanya & Pete

Photo by William West

Thank you so much William! I just took a quick spin through and they are beautiful! Again, super big thank you. Pete and I know how early you came and how late you worked and we REALLY appreciate it. The pictures are beautiful and it's so wonderful having these moments captured forever. You were a pleasure to work with and I plan to recommend you to anyone who asks.

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

Outdoor wedding ceremony image of the bride and groom at Stroudsmoor Country Inn, Stroudsburg, PA

Kylie & Christopher

Photo by William West

My husband and I are utterly grateful to Will for everything he has done to ensure the capturing of countless precious moments from our special day. From the start, Will was incredibly responsive, informative, patient, flexible, and present. He remained in active communication with us as we navigated the unknowns of the pandemic and was supportive of our difficult decision to postpone our event from 2020 to 2021, without any hesitation or additional requests. When our special day finally arrived in 2021, Will went above and beyond to ensure the capturing of absolutely beautiful and precious moments throughout our special day despite added unforeseen obstacles that arose. His commitment to quality and care has been unwavering, and having just received our wedding photos only confirms that, tenfold. We haven't stopped looking through our photos.. we can't! They are tender, charming, vibrant, authentic, touching, beautiful.. perfect for us. They capture the essence of our day so remarkably, bringing us straight back to each unforgettable moment. We were so impressed from the beginning when Will shared his incredibly reasonable prices with us and explained all that was included...a full day of photography from the early hours to late-night hours of our special day, an online gallery of hundreds of beautifully captured and edited photos with NO watermark, 20 prints of our choice, AND a canvas! When we began planning for our wedding, we looked into a variety of photographers, and Will stood out as the most reasonable by far, without any compromise in quality. We were confident in Will's talents, quality, and professionalism right away, but now that we've worked with him and have received our photo gallery, we can't emphasize enough just how grateful and blessed we feel. We can only hope you make the same decision that we made. We know you will be just as grateful if you do! :)