Virginia Wedding Photographers

Virginia Wedding Photographers

Our Virginia photographers also provide documentary-style coverage in: Norfolk, Chesapeake, Richmond, Hampton, Roanoke, Portsmouth, Arlington, Williamsburg, Luray, and Leesburg

Virginia Wedding Photography, Engagement Photo Sessions + Elopements

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

Recent WPJA WedElope Story Awards

Virginia Photographers for Large or Small Weddings

Shooting an elopement or small Virginia 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, small, 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.

35 Virginia Wedding Photographers...

Studio portrait of Brittany Diliberto, an elopement and wedding photographer | Bee Two Sweet Photography

In her work as a visual storyteller, Brittany Diliberto, an East Coast USA-based photographer, skillfully captures breathtaking moments through a journalistic style, artistic angles, and a touch of inspiration. With a background in professional lighting design, she...

4250 (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...

0 (USD)
Engagement Portrait Pro, Wedding and Elopement Photographer Johnny Shryock of the WPJA

USA-based wedding photographer Johnny Shryock has been documenting incredible moments since his own brother's wedding, ten years ago. He puts couples at ease, building a connection with them that allows him to capture the special moments of their wedding day.

4250 (USD)
Megan Rei, Documentary Style Wedding Photographer

Known for her expertise in capturing heartfelt moments, Megan Rei is a wedding photojournalist from the Washington metropolitan area. With a background in dog photography, she brings a unique perspective to every wedding.

4000 (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...

3500 (USD)
Color portrait of wedding photographer Lauren Barkume

A wedding photojournalist with a love for the Washington Metro Area, Lauren Barkume's passion for capturing nature's beauty and genuine emotions sets her images apart.

4990 (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.

3000 (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...

1800 (USD)

Heather Hughes Ostermaier is a Virginia wedding photographer with over 8 years full-time experience. She and her husband Rob both have extensive backgrounds in photojournalism and have been published in various notable publications. They provide unobtrusive and creative...

2999 (USD)
Emie McGee wedding photography studio - Emie's Photo LLC

Emie McGee, a skilled wedding photojournalist based in Lynchburg, VA, captures timeless moments with a unique editing style inspired by film photography. Trust her to make your wedding day memorable and stress-free.

3200 (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.

3400 (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...

4750 (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 Virginia weddings.
3800 (USD)

Neil Thurston is a destination wedding photographer who takes a documentary approach to storytelling through visual imagery. With a background in action sports photography and extensive international experience, Neil uses his unobtrusive style to capture the authentic...

Neil Thurston

Nags Head in North Carolina, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.
500/hour (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 Virginia weddings.
3000 (USD)
New England wedding and elopement photography by Christine Hochkeppel

Based in New England, Christine Hochkeppel is an experienced wedding photographer with a decade of experience shooting weddings and has worked for various publications such as the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, Cape Cod Times, and the Boston Globe.

3675 (USD)
Song Johns wedding and elopement photography of Blooming Dreams Photo

USA-based wedding photographer, Song Johns, is the creative happy girl behind the camera and founder of Blooming Dreams Photo. With 10 years of experience as a hobbyist turned professional, she captures the special moments of couples and families, treating each client with...

Song Johns

Charlotte in North Carolina, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.
2900 (USD)
A black and white portrait of wedding photographer Lacey Butler

Lacey Butler, an experienced wedding photographer with a strong background in traditional photography, studio lighting, and English literature, has documented over 400 weddings. She takes a documentary approach to storytelling, aiming to capture authentic, heartfelt moments...

Lacey Butler

Asheville in North Carolina, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.
2000 (USD)
At Work Image of Wedding Photographer Ted Felsberg

Ted Felsberg

Mays Landing in New Jersey, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.
5000 (USD)
Navarre wedding photography by Matt Kolf in Spain

Matt Kolf, a seasoned wedding photojournalist with a keen eye for capturing intimate moments, has made a name for himself in the world of Catholic weddings in Spain and the East Coast.

Matt Kolf

Washington DC in District Of Columbia, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.
3500 (USD)
Wedding, engagement and elopement photography by Natasha Lamalle

In a journalistic style, Natasha Lamalle is known as a visual storyteller who excels at capturing the authentic and often fleeting moments of love. With fifteen years of experience as a journalist, her trained eye and subtle approach to photography have made her one of the...

4000 (USD)

Ken Pak, a wedding storyteller known for his documentary approach, captures the authentic moments of love with his camera, creating stunning visuals that tell a compelling story.

Ken Pak

Washington DC in District Of Columbia, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.
3900 (USD)
Lifestyle Portrait of Wedding and Elopement Photographer Morgan O'Neil

Morgan O'Neil is a visual storyteller who expertly captures authentic and candid moments in vibrant coastal wedding photos. With 8 years of wedding experience, she also enjoys taking film photos in her free time and has a passion for boating, skiing, and live music.

Morgan O'Neil

Baltimore in Maryland, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.
4800 (USD)
Baltimore engagement wedding and elopement photography by Breanna Shaw

With a documentary style, Breanna Shaw captures love and connection in her photography, dedicating her life to sharing these moments with clients as she travels the world.

Breanna Shaw

Reisterstown in Maryland, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.
3850 (USD)
Engagement, elopement, and wedding photography by Andrew Morrell

Andrew Morrell is a professional wedding photographer with a unique perspective. He has his own style, blending art and technology with his abiding love of music, and bringing an element of improvisation to the weddings and elopements he shoots.

Andrew Morrell

Cleveland in Ohio, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.
3600 (USD)
Colleen Stepanian - Documentary Wedding Photography

USA wedding photographer Colleen Stepanian is a freelance photographer available for travel. With a few driving forces; human connection, relationships, and vulnerability, she has a responsibility to photograph present reality for the sake of human history and future...

Colleen Stepanian

Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.
4800 (USD)
Engagement Portraits, Elopements and Wedding Photography by Anji Martin Potok's - World Photography, LLC

With a documentary approach to storytelling, Anji Martin, a visual, has been documenting life with a 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 Virginia weddings.
4450 (USD)

With a documentary approach, Mary Kate McKenna, an experienced wedding photographer, competently tells the visual story of couples. Specializing in small weddings, courthouse weddings, and destination micro weddings, she captures and preserves the genuine moments that...

Mary Kate McKenna

Frederick in Maryland, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.
2500 (USD)

With a documentary approach and a passion for storytelling, Ryan Rayburn captures the moments and emotions of couples' weddings. Drawing on his nine years of experience as a photographer in newspapers, he applies his visual storytelling skills to create a comprehensive...

Ryan Rayburn

Bethesda in Maryland, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.
2200 (USD)

In a journalistic style, Dan Harris, a wedding photojournalist, expertly captures the fleeting moments of love and joy that occur during weddings. His extensive portfolio showcases the unforgettable memories he has captured, and he has been recognized with numerous...

Dan Harris

Jacksonville in Florida, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.
400/hour (USD)
Susannah Stevens, a DC, VA, and MD wedding photographer of Studio Lifetime Lens

Susannah Stevens, a D.C. native with an MA in multimedia journalism, specializes in intimate weddings, micro-weddings, and elopements. She offers short-notice availability, prioritizing meaningful moments, and employs an open and collaborative approach for documentary-style...

1100 (USD)
Lifestyle portrait of Annalee Durland-Jones, a Boston, MA Wedding Photographer

Annalee Durland-Jones is a wedding, travel, and adventure photographer based in New England. She discovered her passion for photography in high school and has been capturing authentic and sentimental moments ever since.

Annalee Durland-Jones

Boston in Massachusetts, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.
6000 (USD)
BW wedding and elopement photography by Brian Mullins

Brian Mullins, a highly regarded Raleigh documentary wedding photographer, brings his diverse background in photography, cinematography, and concert lighting to create stunning imagery that captures the true essence of wedding moments.

Brian Mullins

Apex in North Carolina, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.
3499 (USD)
Lifestyle portrait of wedding photographer Tom Waldenberg

Tom Waldenberg, a documentary wedding photographer hailing from the Eastern U.S., combines his artistic flair and passion for storytelling to immortalize the genuine emotions of wedding couples.

Tom Waldenberg

Raleigh in North Carolina, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.
3000 (USD)
Lifestyle portrait of Aira Hickman, a family & wedding photographer

Aira Hickman, a Maryland family and wedding photographer, captures clients' essence with an organic approach. Passionate since picking up her first camera, she focuses on authenticity, aiming to make clients feel confident and deeply loved.

Aira Hickman

Gambrills in Maryland, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.
880 (USD)

Map of Wedding Photojournalists Serving Virginia Couples

Virginia Wedding, Elopement and Engagement Images by WPJA Photographers

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

Black and white wedding photo captured at Top of the Town in Arlington, VA, showcasing a groomsman clinking a glass of water to signal the kiss between the newlyweds.
A playful moment frozen in time at an elegant wedding venue, showcasing a curious young guest reaching towards a cooler filled with alcoholic beverage drinks at The Inn at Mount Vernon Farm in Virginia.
A candid moment captured during a wedding at Blue Hill Farm in Waterford, VA, with a lone guest framed in the empty space of a hanging seating chart, adding a touch of intrigue to the image.
A touching moment in black and white captured at Birkby House in Leesburg, VA, as the groom's mother warmly embraces the bride, welcomed into the family after the ceremony on their wedding day.
Emotional moment at The Estate at River Run, Maidens VA, as the mother assists the bride with her gown - a tender black and white shot from the wedding day.
A beautiful black and white image of a groom spinning his bride in the rain on their wedding day at The Estate at River Run in Maidens, VA. The couple shares a romantic and tender dance together under the falling raindrops.
A striking wedding photo of groom and groomsmen in deep forest green suits posing with cigars at Poplar Springs Manor in Warrenton, VA, surrounded by lush trees creating a sophisticated and timeless image.
A romantic moment captured at Zion Springs in Hamilton, VA as the newlyweds toast with champagne spray under a starry night sky on their wedding day.
At Whitehall Estate in Bluemont, VA, the bride's dog steals the show during bridesmaid's toast, captured in a unique low-angle shot on the wedding day.
At their fall engagement session at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Virginia, the couple stands above a sea of beautiful pink and white flowers.
A unique and fun wedding photo at Irvine Estate in Virginia, featuring the groom and his entire bridal party holding light sabers for a night time group shot, capturing a joyful party atmosphere at a Star Wars wedding celebration.
In Virginia at Poplar Springs Manor in Warrenton, the bride playfully smashes cake into the groom's face, causing it to fall off as they both share a joyous laugh.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where can I find a photographer for a short-notice, small Virginia 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 Virginia wedding day by.
Q: Can a wedding photojournalist create artistic portraits on my Virginia 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 Virginia wedding photographers who have earned Artistic Guild awards for portrait and detail images.
Q: How can couples find top-ranked Virginia wedding photographers?
A: The WPJA created the original wedding photographer ranking systems. Our innovative system is based on contest winning points, meaning that the Virginia 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
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
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

RAVES, REVIEWS, AND Virginia WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER RECOMMENDATIONS

Corley & Don

Photo by Neil Thurston

Hi Neil and Lisa, Don and I are beyond thrilled with our pictures! The quality, detail, and beauty of the pictures is just so obvious. Aside from all those things, we love that you captured the sequence of events in a photojournalistic fashion. I've gotten comments from many of my friends/family that these are the best pictures they have ever seen, and of course we are just so proud that they are our pictures. I also have to chuckle a little because you guys were such an organized but chill vendor and as a project manager myself, I know how much preparation you both did behind the scenes to make that work. We couldn't be any happier and if you ever need a reference - email, phone, whatever - please do not hesitate to call.

Kitty Hawk Wedding Photography by Neil GT Photographer

Heather and Andrew

Photo by Neil Thurston

Wow! I am speechless, these photos are absoloutely amazing! Thank you so much for capturing these precious moments on our wedding day!

Neil GT Photography Outer Banks Wedding Photographer

Teri and Michael

Photo by Neil Thurston

Thank you so incredibly much for everything! Everyone that sees our pictures says WOW! and that we just radiate happiness, and that is the perfect compliment because that's exactly how we felt and you captured it perfectly! We will cherish these photos forever. Hopefully our paths cross again one day, perhaps for family photos!