SMALL WEDDINGS + ELOPEMENTS | choose love, not fear

Intimate Weddings & Elopement Photography

Since 2002, the WPJA has been connecting couples with the best, most artistic wedding photographers from around the world.

Sergio Russo elopement and wedding photography from the studio ParamountPics
Engagements, Weddings and Elopement Photographer Lucy Schultz
United Kingdom elopement and wedding reportage pictures by Alex Benyon
Denver adventure wedding elopement photos by Jennifer Garza of Colorado
Wedding reportage and elopement photography by Clive Blair Photos
Wedding and elopement Photographer Carl Bower
Portrait of Bill Tse, Wedding Photographer
California Couple Portrait Sessions and Wedding Photography by Stephanie Secrest
Colorado wedding photography and intimate elopements by Stacy Gillespie
Wiltshire Wedding Reportage Photography by Alex Buckland of Cotswolds England United Kingdom
BW Studio Portrait of Lyon Wedding Photographer Emilie Roy of Rhône, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
A black and white portrait of wedding photographer Lacey Butler
Wedding Photographer Chanarthip Cheingthong, for Thailand
A studio portrait of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, a wedding photographer Amael Dubiez from France
Emie McGee wedding photography studio - Emie's Photo LLC
Lifestyle Portrait of Tommy Loska, a Destination Wedding Photographer

Authentic Photography

The WPJA organizes various wedding photography rounds annually, recognizing and honoring exceptionally captivating images.

Take a look at the previous victors by clicking on the links below:

Intimate, Micro Wedding Planning & Elopement Articles

Kobe Vanderzande, of Limburg, is a wedding photographer for

There’s nothing quite like an intimate wedding reception in a tent, with its uniquely informal atmosphere, customized decor and proximity to the elements...

Not everyone has a lagoon or glacier next door, but there's no rule saying you can't have a small wedding in the great outdoors. Take advantage of natural...

The Authenticity of
Wedding Photojournalism

JD Land, of Pennsylvania, is a wedding photographer for
Danielle Gardner, of New York, is a wedding photographer for

WPJA Contest Photos - January 19th, 2024

Any wedding photographer is going to want to please their clients — but they also want their work to be appreciated on a broader scale. This is one of the reasons why the Wedding Photojournalist Association members love our regular photography competitions. These popular contests give our photographers the opportunity to submit their best images in hopes of being selected as a winner and being recognized for their creativity and effort. Our contests are judged by a panel of notable and respected working photojournalists and picture editors in the news industry, which adds an element of prestige to our awards.

Malopolskie Wedding Reception Venue: A heartwarming moment during the first dance as the groom, dressed in military uniform, joyfully spins his bride off her feet with one arm
At Le swing, Mondreville: The best man giving a heartfelt speech at the indoor wedding reception, creating a memorable moment for the newlyweds and guests. A beautiful scene capturing love and celebration.
At La Closeraie wedding venue in Burgundy, the pro documentary photographer captures an award-winning image. With layered reflections and artistic flair, this stunning image showcases their creativity.
At Kilworth House Hotel in Leicestershire, UK, the Bride and Groom take a moment to immerse themselves in the musical entertainment during their wedding day celebrations. A joyful break after the main course.
In this award-winning wedding photo, the photographer captures a touching moment between the bride and her cousin at Sanary's church in Var, France. The photographer specializes in capturing beautiful moments like this on couples' special days.
Bride and groom share their first dance on the charming patio at Cascina Montena, Zenevreto, Italy, illuminated by twinkling lights against a backdrop of a beautiful night sky
A man break dancing at Palombière d'Henry in Lot et Garonne, France on wedding day. This energetic photo captures the man's impressive moves as he gets down on the dance floor.
A man pours drinks into held glasses during a wedding celebration at Hünkar Suyu Kasri in Istanbul, Turkey. This image earned the photographer an award from WPJA for their expertise in capturing wedding moments.

Artistic Guild - Creative Portraits and Details - January 31st, 2024

The Artistic Guild competitions are distinctly different from our other WPJA contests because this category is specifically for photographers who use their talent to create digitally-enhanced images, staged portraits and dramatic detail images. This competition attracts documentary wedding photographers who also view themselves as artists who are constantly looking to create their next masterpiece.

Wedding portrait captured at sundown in front of the picturesque Bovendonk building in Hoeven, Noord Brabant, NL. The couple stands face to face, illuminated by a warm sunlit haze.
Award-winning wedding day portrait taken at the iconic Rocky Steps in Philadelphia, PA. The bride and groom stand beautifully lit against the dusk sky, in a stunning and artistic photograph.
A stunning black and white portrait taken at Chateau de Beaulon, France. The groom gazes longingly into the rearview mirror while the bride sits slightly blurred in the foreground, creating an intimate and captivating image.
In Milan, Italy, at the Sant'Ambrogio church, the bride gracefully walks alongside her father through a stunning cloister while the groom eagerly awaits their arrival at the altar.
In a dimly lit Minnesota library, the bride and groom sit closely, their faces softly lit by a book light, captivated in an intimate scene on their wedding day.
Surrounded by the rustic charm of a barn in Steamboat Springs, CO, the bride and groom share a romantic lit embrace, captured by an award-winning wedding photographer.
A professional wedding photographer captured this artistic image at Ambient Studio in Atlanta. The image features a woman holding a wine glass, with a curious expression on her face and in her eyes.
Chicago, Illinois-based wedding photographer captures a stunning and modern image during a bride's preparation at home. The photograph showcases the bride's dress hanging in the background, creating a stylistic composition with dual mirror reflections.

Diamond Awards - Pre-Wedding Engagement Portraits - April 8th, 2024

Couples who are searching for a wedding photographer often want a pre-wedding engagement portrait session as well as wedding day photography services. Engagement photographers need to rely on their skill and expertise in order to help their couples select a meaningful location for their portrait session. These awards allow engagement photographers to submit their most moving engagement images in hopes of being recognized for their creativity and skill.

In Atlanta, Georgia, this couple shares a second kiss on the cheek, surrounded by blooming trees and urban street mural art for their engagement portrait.
In a lush jungle setting in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, a couple lovingly shares a kiss surrounded by vibrant palm fronds.
Paris, Latin Quarter. A romantic session capturing the love of a couple as they await the arrival of their baby before their wedding.
In San Francisco, CA, this engaged couple is captured in a romantic scene by the bay. The serene backdrop adds to the sweetness of their love.
A couple in Los Gatos, CA, shares a warm embrace and small talk by the lake, radiating big smiles in a romantic setting for their engagement portrait session.
At their fall engagement session at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Virginia, the couple stands above a sea of beautiful pink and white flowers.
An engagement portrait captured in Venice, Italy, with a couple sharing a kiss. A pedestrian walking past is blurred by a slow camera shutter.
In Phalsbourg, France, a couple poses in front of heart-shaped green shutters for their engagement portrait, showcasing love and charm.

TLC - True Love Captured - March 3rd, 2023

This WPJA photography competition is focused on the emotions that are on display throughout any wedding event. The images showcase the powerful emotions that the couple are experiencing, and any of the feelings that any wedding guests may go through. The TLC contests follow a long-standing WPJA category tradition of capturing raw emotions.

The photographer at the W Hotel in Chicago, IL captured a beautiful moment of the bride kissing her grandma right before walking down the aisle
The bride's beautiful reaction to seeing her special best man seated in the front row was captured by the photographer at Chácara Caiambá - Pedro Leopoldo - Minas Gerais
The wedding photojournalist at Fleurance, Gers, France captured a heartwarming moment of the groom embracing his daughter as he prepared for his big day
The brothers' emotional speeches and hugs at the Lobster Factory ceremony in Tournai, Belgium were beautifully captured in the wedding photo
The photographer captured a beautiful moment of the bride embracing one of her great friends during the getting ready process at Cote How, The Lake District
The bride's tearful joy and the groom's humorous charm were beautifully captured in a wedding photo at Snowmass, Aspen Colorado with a backdrop of fall colored trees during their outdoor ceremony
The groom's touching encouragement of his witnesses to make a speech at his outdoor ceremony at Les tables de Crespin, the reception venue in Tarn, France, was captured beautifully in this wedding photo
The photographer captured a beautiful and emotional moment as a Bari bride lovingly greeted her ailing grandmother, who was unfortunately unable to join the celebration of her special day