California - Northern Wedding Photographers

California - Northern Wedding Photographers

Our California - Northern photographers also provide documentary-style coverage in: Santa Clara, Oakland, Shasta Lake, Napa, Sonoma, Lake Tahoe, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Jose, Alameda, Vallejo, Sunnyvale, Mendocino, Woodside, San Mateo County, and the San Francisco Peninsula

California - Northern Wedding Photography, Engagement Photo Sessions + Elopements

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

Recent WPJA WedElope Story Awards

California - Northern Photographers for Large or Small Weddings

Shooting an elopement or small California - Northern 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 pop-up, small, justice of the peace, 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.

50 California - Northern 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 California - Northern weddings.
4000 (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 California - Northern weddings.
4200 (USD)
Weddings by Chris Shum, Life Photographer

Chris Shum is a destination wedding photographer who has been passionate about art and photography since his youth. With a camera given to him by his father at age 15, Chris has captured beautiful and joyful moments for couples and their families. Through his artistic...

Chris Shum

Sunnyvale in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
4500 (USD)
Capture beautiful moments on your special day with the talented wedding photographer Chris Werner in Northern California's stunning Lake Tahoe.

Chris Werner is a Lake Tahoe wedding photojournalist, engagement portrait photographer, and an artistic wedding portrait photographer with over 25 years of professional experience. He started his career by studying black and white film in 1994 and has since developed a fine...

Chris Werner

Truckee in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
3850 (USD)
Adventure wedding and elopement photography by Kimmi Cranes

Based in Lake Tahoe, California and Nevada, Kimmi Cranes is a wedding photojournalist and portrait photographer, specializing in elopements. With a decade of professional experience and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from UC Santa Cruz, she expertly captures the emotions...

Kimmi Cranes

South Lake Tahoe in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
2000 (USD)
Northern CA, Wedding Photography by Joyce Perlman, serving Carmel and Big Sur

Joyce Perlman, an elopement photographer, is a N. CA based wedding photojournalist and engagement portrait photographer. With a background in fine art and visual design, she is known for her sophisticated blend of contemporary portraiture and documentary-style images.

Joyce Perlman

San Francisco in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
4500 (USD)
Studio portrait of San Jose wedding photographer Eric Le of the Northern California WPJA

Skilled in internet marketing and analytics, San Jose wedding photojournalist and engagement portrait photographer Eric Le has been capturing genuine emotions in his work since 2007.

Eric Le

San Jose in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
3000 (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 California - Northern weddings.
4000 (USD)
Kevin Sawyer for Elopements and Weddings and Engagement Photography

Kevin Sawyer is an award-winning documentary wedding photographer who specializes in creating artful, photojournalistic images of your special day. He is a destination wedding photographer who is passionate about capturing those unforgettable moments.

Kevin Sawyer

Lake Tahoe in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
3000 (USD)
Adventure marriage images by Nicky Byrnes of Nemus Wedding Photography

Documentary wedding photographer Nicky Byrnes has had a camera in her hand since childhood. With a degree in photojournalism, Nicky is published in several print and online magazines. An outdoors enthusiast and volunteer, she loves music, books, skiing, and her two rescue...

Nicky Byrnes

Carnelian Bay in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
3900 (USD)
San Jose wedding and elopement photography by Jipeng Han of Northern California

Meet Jipeng Han, an experienced wedding photojournalist based in San Jose, CA. She specializes in documenting storytelling through her photographs.

Jipeng Han

San Jose in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
1200 (USD)
Northern California wedding photography by Drew Bird - Creative Storytelling

Drew Bird, a Bay Area wedding photographer, uses his years of experience to capture authentic, unscripted expressions of beauty, love, and connection in his photographs. With a focus on storytelling through images, Drew is skilled in portraying the emotions and unique...

Drew Bird

Oakland in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
3500 (USD)

Douglas Despres, a wedding photojournalist with a background in photojournalism, has captured over 600 events since 2002. With a global photography experience, he specializes in comfortable connections with guests, focusing on documentary-style shots.

Douglas Despres

Alameda in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
750/hour (USD)

Dennis Viera is an award-winning international wedding photographer. With a nearly decade-long background in photojournalism, Dennis's photography career began in high school. His passion for documenting life has taken him and his family around the world.

Dennis Viera

Rohnert Park in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
5000 (USD)
Wedding and Elopement Photographer Tanarak Visessonchoke

Tanarak is an award-winning wedding photographer with twelve years of experience serving San Francisco, Bay area, & beyond. He captures unique love stories with anticipation, excitement, and joy. Tanarak believes in celebrating love in all its forms, regardless of...

Tanarak Visessonchoke

San Francisco in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
4500 (USD)
Edeelin Labra, Northern CA wedding photography

Edeelin Labra is an experienced wedding photojournalist based in Northern California. With a deep passion for photography and years of dedicated pursuit, her hobby has transformed into a lifelong skill. Labra's artistry goes beyond capturing moments; it preserves...

Edeelin Labra

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

Tara Arrowood is a San Francisco-based wedding photographer with over 15 years of experience. Skilled at finding the perfect angles and lighting, she captures moments in a photojournalistic style, focusing on emotion, details and the connection between people.

Tara Arrowood

San Francisco in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
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.

Debra Zeller

San Francisco in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
3000 (USD)
Black and White Headshot of elopement, engagement and wedding photographer David Braun

David Braun is an artistic wedding photographer with a background in portrait art. With an artistic approach and extensive freelance experience, he excels in capturing the natural and unforgettable moments of wedding ceremonies. His expertise lies in anticipating and...

David Braun

South Lake Tahoe in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
1250 (USD)
PNW Wedding and Elopement Photography by Brianna Parks

Brianna Parks, an elopement photographer based in the Pacific Northwest, has a knack for capturing unique and personalized elopement experiences. Her love for secret places and breathtaking landscapes led her to specialize in documenting elopements in the stunning...

Brianna Parks

Redding in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
6500 (USD)
Northern California wedding photography by San Jose-based Steve Kpa

Steve Kpa is a skilled and empathetic wedding photojournalist from San Jose, CA, with a background in running his own gym. He has a unique ability to capture the essence and emotions of a wedding day by making his subjects feel comfortable in front of the camera.

Steve Kpa

San Jose in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
750 (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 California - Northern weddings.
2500 (USD)
Shaun Baker - Wedding Photographer and Couple Portrait Professional

Shaun Baker is a USA-based photographer who put down his video camera after graduating college to pursue photography; he shot his first wedding in 2009.

Shaun Baker

San Diego in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
2900 (USD)
Engagements, Weddings and Elopement Photographer Lucy Schultz

Lucy Schultz, an experienced documentary wedding photographer focused on elopements and engagement portraits, creates a relaxed and enjoyable environment for clients to showcase their true selves. Since 2013, she has perfected the art of capturing unforgettable moments.

Lucy Schultz

Lakewood in Colorado, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
5900 (USD)
Gretchen Troop Photography Studio for Weddings, Elopements and Portraits

Gretchen Troop is a documentary wedding photographer with a Bachelor's degree in Studio Photography. She has a passion for capturing weddings in beautiful locations, particularly in the Rocky Mountain National Park. Gretchen is known for her ability to make clients...

Gretchen Troop

Boulder in Colorado, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
3000 (USD)
California Couple Portrait Sessions and Wedding Photography by Stephanie Secrest

Based in Central Coast CA, Stephanie Secrest is a wedding and engagement portrait photographer. She holds a Master's in photojournalism and has been recognized for her work in prestigious contests like Pictures of the Year.

Stephanie Secrest

Arroyo Grande in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
3300 (USD)
Wedding and elopement photography by Will Tee - SW Wedding Photo Studio

Will Tee, co-founder of SW Photo Studio, is an experienced wedding photographer who excels at capturing real moments. His love for travel and exposure to different cultures has made him open-minded and allows him to integrate unique perspectives into his creative...

Will Tee

Taipei City, TW *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
2000 (USD)
USA hiking, rock climbing, Adventure Wedding Photographer Traci Edwards

Traci Edwards, a skilled wedding photojournalist, combines her artistic background and expertise in wedding logistics, to capture the most authentic and memorable moments for couples starting their journey in marriage.

Traci Edwards

Maple Falls in Washington, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
6900 (USD)
Wedding photography and elopements by Ray Iavasile of Michigan

Ray Anthony Iavasile, a wedding photojournalist based in Michigan, is celebrated for his journalistic style and ability to capture authentic moments. He is recognized as one of the Top 50 wedding photojournalists worldwide and is the go-to choice for couples in Michigan.

Ray Iavasile

Birmingham in Michigan, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
3000 (USD)
Jerome Pollos Self Portrait, a wedding and elopement photographer of the WPJA

Jerome is a destination wedding photographer who has a background as a photojournalist in the Navy. With his journalistic style, he captures beautiful moments in an unobtrusive manner, offering an authentic experience for his clients.

Jerome Pollos

Coeur d'Alene in Idaho, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
2500 (USD)
Denver wedding and elopement photography by Caroline Robert of the CO WPJA

Caroline Robert is a documentary wedding photographer, well-known for her ability to authentically capture the emotions and unseen stories unfolding amidst the stunning Rocky Mountains. With a passion for visual storytelling and a Fine Art background, she meticulously...

Caroline Robert

Denver in Colorado, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
10000 (USD)
Pro documentary-style wedding photography by Bradley Hanson

With a background in documentary technique, Bradley Hanson brings a unique storytelling perspective to his photography. Through his keen eye for detail and artistic vision, he captures the essence of each wedding he documents. His work has been featured in magazines and has...

Bradley Hanson

St. Paul in Minnesota, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
5000 (USD)

In a journalistic style, Logan Westom is a visual storyteller who captures the most intimate moments of couples' special days, Taylor Swift concerts, and newspaper events throughout his decade-long career in professional photography from his base in Seattle.

Logan Westom

Bremerton in Washington, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
4000 (USD)
Engagement Photo Shoots and wedding photography by Darren Hendry

Darren Hendry, an architecture-trained photographer with 7 years of experience, specializes in non-traditional and offbeat weddings. He captures unique stories through his natural, emotive, and creative style, creating honest and captivating images. Darren also offers...

Darren Hendry

Pasadena in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
2500 (USD)

Ron Storer's passion for capturing and preserving wedding moments is fueled by his success as a member of the US Cycling Team, where he earned a Gold Medal in the Pan-Am Games and a Silver Medal in the Olympic Trials. With a wedding photojournalist approach, he...

Ron Storer

Auburn in Washington, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
2400 (USD)

Based in Visalia, CA, Gingi Freeman is a skilled wedding photojournalist who specializes in non-intrusive, documentary-style photography. With a background in art and storytelling, she captures real moments and raw emotions, allowing couples to fully immerse themselves in...

Gingi Freeman

Visalia in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
1400 (USD)

Robert Walker, a highly acclaimed wedding photojournalist, boasts 17 years of experience in Texas and California. Known for his unobtrusive and journalistic style, he skillfully captures precious moments. Currently residing in Dallas with his family, Robert's...

Robert Walker

Dallas in Texas, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
2400 (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 California - Northern weddings.
2500 (USD)
California Documentary Wedding and Elopement Photography by Gina Clyne

Gina Clyne, a California wedding photographer, specializes in capturing formal portraits that reflect couples' personalities and documenting subtle and profound moments of the day with her gentle eye.

Gina Clyne

Los Angeles in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
2100 (USD)
California wedding photography by Jonathan Young

Jonathan Young is a wedding photojournalist with 20 years of experience, a background in photojournalism, and a talent for capturing the unique emotion and joy of each wedding day. Based in California, he specializes in photographing beautiful moments along the coast.

Jonathan Young

Palos Verdes Estates in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
5500 (USD)
Lifestyle street portrait of Danette Chappell, a Nevada & California wedding photographer

After starting her journey as an intern in the bustling city of Chicago, Danette Chappell evolved into a skilled wedding photojournalist, capturing magical moments between couples in both NV and CA.

Danette Chappell

Reno in Nevada, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
1225 (USD)
Texas wedding and elopement photography by Kristin Bednarz

Kristin Bednarz is a documentary wedding photographer who excels in capturing the authentic moments of weddings, weaving together a compelling narrative. With her extensive experience, she has photographed over 250+ weddings.

Kristin Bednarz

Slaton in Texas, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
4500 (USD)
Weddings, engagements and elopement photography by Kevin Kienitz

Kevin Kienitz

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

With a wealth of expertise as a wedding photojournalist, Jason Kaczorowski has spent over 18 years honing his skills, documenting over 650 weddings. His ability to immortalize meaningful moments ensures cherished memories for years to come.

Jason Kaczorowski

Chicago in Illinois, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
3900 (USD)
Portrait of Amber Depangher of Sightglass Photography Studio

Amber Depangher is a seasoned wedding photojournalist, expertly documenting love stories for over two decades. From high school hobby to thriving business, Amber and her husband's unique styles make for an unbeatable team.

Amber Depangher

Portland in Oregon, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
500/hour (USD)
Chris Rusanowsky self portrait of a wedding photographer in black and white

With over fourteen years of experience, Chris Rusanowsky is a highly skilled wedding photojournalist. His photographs capture the raw emotions and tell the story of each client's special day, creating memories that last a lifetime.

Chris Rusanowsky

Northlake in Texas, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
2500 (USD)
Lifestyle portrait of Brittany Bender, a San Diego wedding photographer - Southern California WPJA

San Diego wedding photojournalist, Brittany Bender, skillfully captures candid and emotional moments with her talent for storytelling and artistic portrayal.

Brittany Bender

San Diego in California, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
3000 (USD)
Marla Manes, a PNW ADVENTURE ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER in Seattle WA

Seattle-based Marla Manes, skilled in wedding photojournalism and portraiture, integrates values and sustainability. Creates comfort for exceptional photos.

Marla Manes

Seattle in Washington, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
5500 (USD)
Portrait of Katharine Green from Katie Corinne Wedding Photography Studio

Katharine Green is a skilled Colorado documentary wedding photographer with over 10 years of experience. She and her associate, Jamie, have a passion for capturing the happiest moments in life, specializing in wedding, engagement, and proposal photography.

Katharine Green

Monument in Colorado, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
3000 (USD)
Lifestyle portrait of Evie Felts, a wedding and elopement photographer

Evie Felts, a wedding photographer with 5 years of experience, left teaching to pursue art. She connects with clients worldwide and captures intimate moments. Evie lives in Mancos, Colorado, enjoying outdoor activities when not photographing.

Evie Felts

Mancos in Colorado, US *Now booking California - Northern weddings.
3000 (USD)

Map of Wedding Photojournalists Serving California - Northern Couples

California - Northern Wedding, Elopement and Engagement Images by WPJA Photographers

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

A creative portrait captured by a Northern California wedding photographer, showing a groom leading his bride-to-be up a sandy embankment at a beach in San Francisco.
A creative couple portrait by a North California wedding photographer capturing a romantic kiss on a city street at night near trees with lights in them in Los Gatos, California.
Creative couple portrait by a N California wedding photographer, Oakland. The lovers embrace in the forest - head to head, in profile, sunlight in the trees overhead.
Couple portrait by a N California wedding photographer, Palo Alto. The love of two coming together. The lovers embrace head to head, in profile, with a geometric orange structure behind them, creating a symmetrical framing.
A couple portrait in the cypress forest by the ocean captured by a North California wedding photographer.
A couple portrait captured by a N California wedding photographer in Los Gatos. The image shows the couple striking a cool pose in the forest, surrounded by tall trees and boulders along a tree-lined trail.
Portrait of a couple captured by a North California wedding photographer in San Francisco. The image shows the couple enjoying a tranquil session at their favorite cafe, sitting indoors at a table by a window.
A beautiful bride smiles as she gets ready in front of a wall-hung mirror at Waterfall Lodge in Ben Lomond, California.
Bride in California at a private residence in Milpitas smiles joyfully as her sisters playfully douse her with water during the pre-wedding traditions ceremony.
In Mendocino, California, the groom's mom lovingly pins his boutonniere on before the ceremony, captured in a wall-mounted circular mirror reflection.
A black and white image capturing the bride and groom blessing their rings during their elopement ceremony at the Harbor House Inn in Elk, California, with the beautiful ocean view in the background.
A young girl joyfully performs a backbend on the dance floor at Gray's Crossing in Truckee, CA, as a young boy watches in amusement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can couples find reviews of California - Northern wedding photographers?
A: We call them Client Letters. At the WPJA, we decided more than 20 years ago to avoid incorporating those third-person testimonials and endorsements that are found all too often in advertisements. Instead, we elevated our listings with the use of Client Letters, which represent the actual words and feelings of the clients who booked those California - Northern wedding photographers for their own wedding.
Q: How can couples find California - Northern photographers for pre-wedding engagement portraits?
A: The WPJA issues Diamond Awards for California - Northern 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 California - Northern wedding photographers for small elopements?
A: The WPJA is proud to have some of the top California - Northern 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.
WPJA Communiqué: Featured Wedding Photography Articles
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
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
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...Read more

RAVES, REVIEWS, AND California - Northern WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER RECOMMENDATIONS

Kari and Glen

Photo by Ron Storer

Omigoodness!! Can I just say wow? You are such an amazing photographer! Glen and I have shared these photos with some of our family and friends, and all of them have been like, "I love these pictures! You rock!

Kiley & Josh

Photo by Douglas Despres

Dear Doug, Thank you so much for sending these images, and for the images themselves which are outstanding. We love so many of them, the hard part is going to be selecting the ones that go in the album! We'll have more time to look and select over the weekend, so we'll probably write to you then or early next week. Again, many thanks for your work -- we are very impressed :) Best, Josh & Kiley

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