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Lake Tahoe Wedding Photographers

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Lake Tahoe Wedding Photographers

Our Lake Tahoe photographers also provide documentary-style coverage in: Truckee, Sierra Nevada, Carnelian Bay, Incline Village, Kings Beach, Northstar, Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows, Tahoe City, Homewood, Meeks Bay, Stateline, Meyers, Kirkwood, Heavenly, Zephyr Cove, Glenbrook, Sand Harbor

Lake Tahoe Wedding Photography, Engagement Photo Sessions + Elopements

Intimate Wedding Photography in Lake Tahoe - Capturing the Joy of Small Celebrations - Discover the best Lake Tahoe 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 Lake Tahoe 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, Lake Tahoe documentary wedding photographers available right now who understand that some weddings and elopements can’t wait. Find yours today!
Recent WPJA WedElope Story Awards
A family member officiated a romantic beach wedding, creating a memorable day for the couple
Morgan O'Neil
The bride and groom giggled as they posed for sunrise light portraits beneath the big trees
Lucy Schultz
A powerful portrait of a couple holding hands while walking along a dock over a blue-green ocean captures a timeless stroll
Valeria Berti

Lake Tahoe Photographers for Large or Small Weddings

Shooting an elopement or small Lake Tahoe 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 civil ceremony, secret, town hall, 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.

11 Lake Tahoe Wedding Photographers...

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
73
7
35
4200 (USD)
Capture beautiful moments on your special day with the talented wedding photographer Chris Werner in Northern California's stunning Lake Tahoe.

With over 25 years of professional experience, Chris Werner specializes in wedding photography, capturing the unique love and personalities of engaged couples. He began studying black and white film in 1994 and developed a fine art approach to photography over the years,...

Chris Werner

Truckee in California, US *Now booking Lake Tahoe weddings.
49
3
32
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
11
2
3
50
2000 (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 Lake Tahoe weddings.
46
1
7
3900 (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
58
1
67
3000 (USD)
Black and White Headshot of elopement, engagement and wedding photographer David Braun

David Braun is a skilled wedding photojournalist with a background in outdoor portrait art. With an artistic approach and extensive freelance experience, he excels in capturing the natural and unforgettable moments of weddings.

David Braun

South Lake Tahoe in California, US
1
4
1
1250 (USD)
California wedding and elopement photographer Annie Bang

As a wedding photojournalist and creative engagement portrait photographer in California, Annie Bang brings a background as a former journalist and Associated Press reporter. With a focus on documenting real moments and emotions, she uses documentary and photojournalistic...

Annie Bang

Los Angeles in California, US *Now booking Lake Tahoe weddings.
162
13
2500 (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 Lake Tahoe weddings.
23
3
15
12
7
3500 (USD)

Dennis Viera, an award-winning wedding photographer, possesses nearly a decade of experience and began his photography journey in high school. With a passion for capturing life's moments, he has traveled extensively worldwide.

Dennis Viera

Rohnert Park in California, US *Now booking Lake Tahoe weddings.
29
1
4
4
5000 (USD)
Lifestyle street portrait of Danette Chappell, a Nevada & California wedding photographer

Danette Chappell is a wedding photographer based in NV and CA, with experience shooting weddings professionally since 2008. She started her career as an intern in Chicago and then moved to Las Vegas, where she honed her skills working at a wedding chapel.

Danette Chappell

Reno in Nevada, US *Now booking Lake Tahoe weddings.
1
1
1
1225 (USD)
Reno Nevada & Lake Tahoe California Wedding Photography by Rachel Gazes

Wedding photographer and officiant Rachel Gazes, based in Reno/Tahoe, with nearly a decade of experience. Skilled in photography and ceremony officiating, she excels at working with families, pets, and calming nerves on wedding days.

Rachel Gazes

Reno in Nevada, US *Now booking Lake Tahoe weddings.
1
2600 (USD)

Map of Wedding Photojournalists Serving Lake Tahoe Couples

Lake Tahoe Wedding, Elopement and Engagement Images by WPJA Photographers

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

Sand Harbor, Lake Tahoe, Nevada: Newlyweds wander amidst colossal granite boulders overlooking the turquoise waters of Lake Tahoe, capturing serene natural beauty.
Lake Tahoe, NV: A couple walks hand in hand along a beach with the glow of the sunset and Lake Tahoe behind them. Creative portrait by a NV wedding photographer.
A couple portrait by a Lake Tahoe wedding photographer, featuring a couple holding hands and looking at each other surrounded by rugged rocks on the beach of Lake Tahoe. This image captures a romantic scene in a fine art style.
Sand Harbor State Park in Nevada provides a stunning backdrop as a couple embraces on the boulders of the shore of Lake Tahoe. Captured by a Nevada wedding photographer, this image showcases the beauty and romance of the couple in a natural setting.
At Valhalla Tahoe in South Lake Tahoe, an award-winning wedding photographer captured a close-up shot of a bride carefully selecting from a variety of bangles for her special day.
The Lake Forest Beach in Tahoe City, CA sets the scene for a captivating lifestyle couple portrait. Embracing on a bridge, the couple is off center in the frame with the picturesque expanse of Lake Tahoe behind. A playful leg lift adds a touch of romance.
Lifestyle couple portrait at Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe, CA. A couple joyfully celebrates their love, popping champagne together on the bow of a boat, framed in the center of the picture.
High Camp Palisades Tahoe, CA: A touching moment shared between the bride and her mother during their reception dance, bathed in natural light on the bright dance floor of Palisades Tahoe.
Engaged couple, elegantly dressed, stands atop Cave Rock in Glenbrook, NV, surrounded by a vibrant sunset sky and the serene expanse of Lake Tahoe. - Eternal Love: Mountain Summit Romance
At Sand Harbor State Park, NV, a couple shares laughter with the vastness of Lake Tahoe stretching behind them, creating a joyful and picturesque scene. - Lake Tahoe Laughter: Couple's Bliss
In Sand Harbor State Park, NV, a couple ascends rocks hand in hand, framed against the breathtaking backdrop of misty mountains and the serene expanse of Lake Tahoe. - Rock-Climbing Love: Tahoe Heights Together
Amidst stormy weather and cloudy skies, an outdoor wedding near Lake Tahoe at The Landing Hotel sets a dramatic and captivating mood

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can couples find reviews of Lake Tahoe 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 Lake Tahoe wedding photographers for their own wedding.
Q: Can a wedding photojournalist create artistic portraits on my Lake Tahoe 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 Lake Tahoe wedding photographers who have earned Artistic Guild awards for portrait and detail images.
Q: Who are the best Lake Tahoe wedding photographers for small elopements?
A: The WPJA is proud to have some of the top Lake Tahoe 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
Wedding Economy: The Ups and Downs
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
Clean background in this photo of the bride walking into her mountain ceremony.
Adventure Wedding Elopements
Some couples, as they begin planning for their weddings, might think that they are limited to the classic locations: churches, gardens, beaches, or even Las Vegas. But in doing so they’re missing out on a multitude of unique options that might suit their personalities much...Read more
Vows, Crowds, and Nerves: Avoid Stress with a Small Wedding
While some of us were fortunate enough to be born as extroverts, not everyone feels the same way. For a good chunk of the population, any number of the typical wedding day traditions can inspire anxiety and existential dread. This day is all about you, yes, but does that...Read more

WPJA Communiqué: Viewpoints
Elopements: Traditional and Modern
The oldsters among the WPJA ranks no doubt remember when 'to elope' meant, in Merriam-Webster’s definition, “to run away secretly with the intention of getting married, usually without parental consent.” Many wedding photographers have gone on the lam with couples who did just that. However, even Merriam-Webster now acknowledges that “elope appears to have become shorthand for ‘ small destination weddings ,’ a ‘ wedding that is not financially insane ,’ or a ‘ wedding that allows us to not invite all the people we would rather not invite .’” Smaller Weddings are... Read more
What is Reportage?
On Instagram and elsewhere, one can see images labeled as #photojournalism or #reportage when they are, in fact, merely photos. I say "merely," even though photography has been my career's great passion. But it's because of that passion and my respect for the work of actual photojournalists that I am particularly bothered to see wedding photographers call their work "reportage." That word properly used actually means something important beyond just a stylistic conceit. By contrast, however, I'm the lead cheerleader for those practitioners of #weddingphotojournalism ... Read more

RAVES, REVIEWS, AND Lake Tahoe WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER RECOMMENDATIONS

Hong Kong East Ocean wedding in Emeryville, CA. Chinese wedding photojournalism Drew Bird

Benita & Ben

Photo by Drew Bird

Drew, thanks so much for everything. We had so much fun working with you. From start to finish you were great to work with and showed the highest professionalism. All of our guests really enjoyed how fun you were, too. And the photos!! The images are just beautiful. Every time we look through the photo story we see new favorites and amazing moments. Even though the wedding was only a month ago the images bring back so many amazing memories. We are so happy that you were our photographer. We will definitely be recommending you to all our family and friends. Also let us know where we can give you some public shout-outs! Thanks again!

View Photographer
The bride and groom, joyfully celebrated their wedding with vows outdoors in Hope Valley California

Lara & Dillon

Photo by Rachel Gazes

Rachel, thank you SO MUCH! These are STUNNING! I was so nervous about pictures being plus-sized and you have made me feel gorgeous. You are such an artist, and I truly cannot thank you enough for all you have done! Again, THANK YOU for making our day absolutely perfect. We'll be booking any future photography with you!

View Photographer

Sarah + Stephen

Photo by Drew Bird

Hey Drew - We went through all the pics last night and I just wanted to tell you again how awesome they are! You really captured some amazing moments and we're forever grateful! I was 3/4 through them and crying lol. It's as if we were replaying a story of the day. SO AMAZING! THANK YOU!!! We've shared the link with some of our guests and they are all raving about them as well! A thousand thanks, Sarah and Stephen

View Photographer

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.