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SMALL WEDDINGS + ELOPEMENTS | choose love, not fear

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.

WPJA Spotlight

Exceptional Wedding Photography Showcase

Explore top-tier imagery captured by WPJA members. With special badges and recognition, these exceptional images from weddings showcase the unparalleled talent of our photographers. Dive into dedicated slider galleries within Member Profiles and Spotlight Galleries to witness the artistry and skill that sets our members apart.

In a hotel room in San Francisco, CA, the bride stands by the window, her wedding dress elegantly hanging, as natural light softly illuminates the scene, highlighting the anticipation of the day ahead.
Chris Shum
At Château des Selves in Seillans, Var, a heartwarming scene unfolds as the bride embraces her best friend tightly, while the groom, overcome with emotion, gently rests his hand on a young boy's head.
Myriam Ohayon
At Meteora, Greece, a couple strolls across the rocks with the sunset behind them.
Ambre Peyrotty
At Excelsior, the bride's makeup is applied, her image creatively reflected in multiple mirrors of the makeup artist. This artistic arrangement captures various angles of her poised expression, adding depth to the moment.
Scott Josuweit
At Ristorante Pio NoNo in Erbusco, the wedding cake makes a grand entrance, beautifully decorated and adorned with flowers, capturing the attention and admiration of all the guests present.
Alessandro Di Noia
At Chiesa di San Bartolomeo in Villa Bartolomea, Verona, Italy, a low-angle shot captures the newlyweds exiting the church, highlighting their joy and the grandeur of the moment surrounded by guests.
Fabrizio Demasi
View Spotlight 2025 Round 12

Intimate Weddings & Elopement Photography

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

United Kingdom wedding reportage-style photography by Tracy Morter
Poitiers wedding photography by Corentin Azamoun of the Vienne, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France WPJA
Wedding Photographer Roger Kenny, for Ireland - The Portrait Room
Caterina Errani - WPJA Profile Image of wedding and elopement photographer
Creative wedding and elopement photography by Ernie Savarese
Portrait of Wedding Photographer Denise Chastain
Lifestyle portrait of Catherine Roujean, a Toulouse wedding photographer from Haute-Garonne
Ufuk Sarisen Wedding Photography
Studio portrait of Wes Shinn - owner / wedding and elopement photography studio
Var wedding photography by Marion Deletraz of PACA France
Emie McGee wedding photography studio - Emie's Photo LLC
A studio portrait of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, a wedding photographer Amael Dubiez from France
Milan small wedding photography by Federico Fasano of Lombardy Italy
Wedding and engagement portraits by Michelle Arlotta
Portrait of Wedding and Elopement Photographer Megan Hannah
Italy elopement and wedding photography by Andrea Sampoli
France wedding photography by Angelique Blaise
One of the most touching things about wedding photography is how quickly you find yourself thrown into the heart of such an important, intimate occasion. It's a responsibility only a fool would take lightly.- Harry Richards, WPJA Member
Become a Member

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:

2025 Lifestyle Engagement Portraits - Diamond Awards

2024 v04 Artistic Guild

2024 v04 Photography Competition

2024 Pre Wedding Couple Portraits - Diamond Awards

2024 v03 Artistic Guild

View More Contests

Intimate, Micro Wedding Planning & Elopement Articles

A Sunshine Solemnization - Outdoor Weddings in Nature

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...

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Kobe Vanderzande, of Limburg, is a wedding photographer for

Wedding Reception Tents: A Creative Photo Palette

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

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View Wedding Articles

The Authenticity of
Wedding Photojournalism

Lucy Schultz, of Colorado, is a wedding photographer for
Chaiyasith Junjuerdee, of London, is a wedding photographer for
Renan Radici, of Rio Grande do Sul, is a wedding photographer for

Two people making a commitment of marriage want to remember the day for the rest of their lives. Shouldn’t the wedding photography that commemorates their celebration reflect the personal moments and honest emotions they will remember?

A love for authenticity in wedding photography — finding art in the actualities of a marriage celebration — led to the founding of the Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA) in 2002. Out of respect for our clients, the wedding photographers and photojournalists accepted for WPJA membership have a demonstrated talent for candid originality and a dedication to the documentary approach in wedding photography. To maintain their standing in the WPJA, member photographers must adhere to the highest professional and ethical standards.

  • For Engaged Couples planning a wedding: Hire a WPJA photographer so you can reproduce and retell the beautiful, unique story of how your celebration unfolds — as you will want to remember it and have it told for generations.
  • For Professional Wedding Photographers with a photojournalist’s talent for capturing moments, not stage-directing them: Join the WPJA to have your expertise accredited, to help promote and further our craft, and to let the WPJA introduce you to the ideal clients for your work.

WPJA Contest Photos - January 20th, 2025

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.

At Vinilia Wine Resort in Puglia, Italy, the groom is visibly emotional and teary-eyed as he watches his bride arrive for their sunny outdoor wedding ceremony.
At Salomons Estate in Kent, during their first dance, the groom sweeps the bride off her feet and they spin joyfully, surrounded by guests who happily watch around them on the dance floor.
In a timeless black and white image at Grillardor Solingen, a young girl playfully enjoys her time on the couch in the lounge room.
At her family house in Ille-et-Vilaine, Brittany, the bride finishes getting ready and shares an emotional moment with her mother. Tears of joy flow as they embrace, capturing the deep bond and significance of the day.
At Silver Knot in Ronan, Montana, a groomsman delivers a heartfelt speech with a microphone during a barn wedding, while the bride and groom sit at the head table, laughing and enjoying the moment with their guests.
In Châteauroux, children joyfully toss confetti in front of the church, adding a festive and playful touch to the occasion. This scene captures the exuberance and innocence of the young participants in the celebration.
At La Factory in Thizy-les-Bourgs, as the bride and groom's children prepare for the event, a playful scuffle breaks out between two of them in the background. This candid moment adds a touch of humor and familial energy to the preparations.
In Cheswardine, Shropshire, UK, the bride makes a stunning entrance by arriving on horseback. She gracefully rides up the village high street toward the church, capturing the charming essence of the occasion.

Artistic Guild - Creative Portraits and Details - January 28th, 2025

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 Nella Terra Cellars in Sunol, California, a couple poses on the venue's iconic steps, their bodies shaded while the bride's dress fans out beautifully in the sunlight, creating a striking contrast.
Cleveland bride and groom walk toward camera in urban setting, candidly captured mid-rise after posed photo
At Koh Koon Villa, Koh Samui, Thailand, newlyweds pause for a refreshing sip during their romantic photo session
At Château Pape Clément in Pessac, the bride and groom pose in the gardens, artfully rim-lit by the photographer to enhance their romantic presence amid the lush surroundings.
Wedding photo in Darmstadt: the couple is positioned beneath a handmade covering of logs and sticks, set within a woodland environment
At Beachampton Church in Beachampton, England, a detail shot captures a church warden carefully lighting a candle before the wedding ceremony, highlighting the quiet preparation and adding a warm, reverent touch to the event.
At Swinton Park in Ripon, North Yorkshire, UK, a top-down detail shot captures the groom and his best man as they carefully select buttonhole flowers. The focus on their hands and the vibrant blooms highlights the attention to detail and preparation.
In Poitiers, Vienne, a stunning perspective captures the grandeur and beauty of a church where the ceremony takes place, showcasing the architectural elegance and serene atmosphere of the Old World space.

Diamond Awards - Pre-Wedding Engagement Portraits - March 7th, 2025

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 portrait of a couple, silhouetted by the water and surrounded by various people and trees in Chicago, IL.
A pre-wedding session in Sultanahmet, Istanbul, with a couple framed by the majestic architecture of a massive old-world building, evoking the rich history and beauty of past civilizations.
A young couple races across a crosswalk in downtown Sacramento, CA, holding hands in a fun, fast-paced action shot that captures the excitement of the urban scene.
Engagement portrait of a couple at Horsetooth Reservoir, Fort Collins, Colorado, sharing a quiet embrace with the setting sun in the background.
A couple is silhouetted against a wall at a farmer's market in Philadelphia, PA, creating a striking contrast in the vibrant urban scene.
At Crosby Landing Beach, Brewster, Massachusetts, a close-up reveals pure joy and connection, her engagement ring sparkling brilliantly as she tenderly holds him, symbolizing their lifelong promise.
A couple relaxes together in a vibrant carpet vendor shop in Goreme, Cappadocia, during their pre-wedding photo session, surrounded by the rich colors and textures of traditional Turkish carpets.
A joyful couple celebrates their engagement on Sand Beach, Stonington, Maine, with warm smiles and gentle waves creating a picturesque, serene backdrop.

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 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 photographer captured a beautiful moment of a hug between the bride and groom at Palacio de los Cordova, Granada, Spain, after receiving and giving comfort through the Chinese tea ceremony gifts from the parents, full of emotion and true love
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 bride and her father shared an emotional moment as he kissed her head in the back of the limo just before the ceremony, captured perfectly in their wedding photo from Trieste, Italy
The photographer captured the beautiful, emotional moment between the bride and groom after they exchanged their rings in Trieste, Italy
The photographer captured the emotional moment of the bride picking up her friend in a foggy embrace on the dance floor of her Montpellier wedding
The emotion of the proud parents hugging their son, the groom, as he prepared for his wedding day at House of the Groom in Siderno, Reggio Calabria was so beautiful it was captured as a timeless moment by the photographer
The photograph captured a beautiful and emotional moment as the bride held back tears while saying her vows outdoors at the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa in Lake Geneva, WI