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.

I AM SARAH V Photography - Wedding and Couple Engagement Images
Germany wedding pictures, elopement couple shoots and elopement photography by Michael Geyer
London elopement wedding reportage photographer Lyndsey Goddard, of England UK
Boulder wedding and elopement photography by Jason Johnson of the CO WPJA
Studio portrait of Florianópolis wedding photographer Diego Pereira da Silveira of Santa Catarina, Brazil
Ottawa wedding photography by Kathi Robertson
Wedding Photographer Roger Kenny, for Ireland - The Portrait Room
California wedding and elopement photographer Annie Bang
Caterina Errani - WPJA Profile Image of wedding and elopement photographer
Wedding, engagement and elopement photography by Natasha Lamalle
BW portrait of Mark Wallis, Europe wedding reportage photographer
Wedding photographer Stam Chananakhon
England elopement and wedding reportage photography by James Pearce - United Kingdom WPJA Pro
Portrait of Katharine Green from Katie Corinne Wedding Photography Studio
Color wedding photography by Iris Hu
A black and white portrait of wedding photographer Lacey Butler
Var wedding photography by Marion Deletraz of PACA France

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

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...

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...

The Authenticity of
Wedding Photojournalism

Ophelie Koinonia, of Bouches-du-Rhone (13) , is a wedding photographer for
Pierrick Roland, of Hauts-de-Seine (92) , is a wedding photographer for

WPJA Contest Photos - August 13th, 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.

Amsterdam, Netherlands- A little girl enjoys the sweet treats hanging from strings at the reception location during a game at a wedding in Noord Holland.
Bosphorus Palace Hotel hosted a stunning Persian wedding, where the couple participated in the traditional custom of feeding each other honey, symbolizing their commitment to a sweet life together.
LOIRET, CENTRE-VAL DE LOIRE - Newlyweds celebrate their special day at a reception venue in Loiret with a playful wool ball toss by children on the grass lawn.
Sister of the bride lights up the dance floor at Domaine de Tilh in Loubieng, France during wedding celebrations.
Palermo, Sicily - A photographer captures the playful toast with spray at a wedding held at Tenuta Cala Muletti, a stunning venue in Sicily.
This photo taken at Trinity Buoy Wharf captures the sweet moment of young guests drawing pictures for the bride and groom as seen through the window.
The groom prepares with his groomsmen in the background at Châteauroux in France, captured in a deep frame with multiple layers.
In this photo taken at Black Diamond Lodge in Durango, Colorado, the bride gazes at the fading sparkler during their sparkler exit as the sky is filled with dramatic deep colors during the dusk hour.

Artistic Guild - Creative Portraits and Details - July 3rd, 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.

At the La Alhambra in Granada, Spain, the bride's back displays a tender reminder of the groom's handprint.
 A couple dressed in traditional Korean attire share a hand touch before entering their reception at Wedding Venue in Portland, OR.
Captivating bride photographed with chromatic infrared technique at a Foggia, Apulia ceremony location.
A beautiful bride poses in profile against a backdrop of stunning hotel architecture at her Tuscany wedding ceremony in Florence.
Wedding and engagement rings are positioned on a colorful surface, creating a dazzling effect with lights and reflections at the Belpoggio Su Todi in Todi, Umbria, Italy.
Captured at the Branch Museum in Richmond, Virginia, this wedding day portrait showcases a stunning Chinese bride adorned in traditional Indian wedding attire.
Stunning wedding portrait at Huize Druivelaar in Breda, the Netherlands, featuring the happy couple surrounded by lush greenery.
Wedding day portrait taken at Ermita de Cuadros, Bedmar, Jaén, Spain. Couple is surrounded by military men in uniform, swords drawn in a circle formation.

Diamond Awards - Pre-Wedding Engagement Portraits - August 12th, 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.

Engagement bliss at Parco Villa Severi in Arezzo, Italy, captured in this intimate portrait among the weeping willow branches.
Engaged couple laughing in a striking black and white portrait at Plage du Metro TARNOS during their romantic photoshoot in the Landes region.
A couple cuddles on rocks near a serene Arizona desert waterway, with vibrant sunlit mountains reflecting in the water behind them. The engagement portrait captures their intimacy against the dramatic, colorful backdrop.
A romantic engagement photoshoot captures the couple at Plage du Metro in Tarnos, as the wind blows across the beach. In a stunning black and white shot, the groom embraces his fiancée from behind.
A romantic kiss captured in the village of Tihany, Hungary. In this engagement photoshoot, the couple embraces under an umbrella on a rainy day, with the groom-to-be tenderly kissing her forehead.
Bride and groom lovingly embrace and share a kiss in the captivating Labirinto di Arianna Fiumara d'Arte, located in Motta d'Affermo. This pre-wedding photo captures the couple's bliss in the shadow of the labyrinth.
HALLWILLER LAKE, SWITZERLAND - A couple poses for a romantic engagement portrait at Hallwiller Lake. They are seen in sunlight, dancing on the boardwalk, with the picturesque lake in the background.
ENGAGED COUPLE POSES AT UTE VALLEY PARK: A smiling couple leans in close at Ute Valley Park in Colorado Springs, Colorado during their engagement portrait session.

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 captured the beautiful, emotional moment between the bride and groom after they exchanged their rings in Trieste, Italy
The photographer captured a beautiful moment at Montlouis sur Loire, as the two mothers of the couple tearfully embraced outdoors
The photographer at Ancenis, France captured a heart-warming moment of the bride holding hands with her father-in-law as he saw her for the first time in her wedding dress before the ceremony
The tender loving moment of the bride caressing her groom's face during their wedding ceremony at Duino, Trieste, Italy was captured perfectly in the 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
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 wedding photojournalist captured the tender moment of the bride being embraced by her friend during the outdoor patio reception at Le fou Gascon in Prechac, Gers, France
The beautiful moment of a bride wiping away her mother's tears of joy at Help Beach, Fethiye, Mugla was captured by the wedding photographer