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
Virginia Wedding Photographers
Virginia Wedding Photographers
Our Virginia photographers also provide documentary-style coverage in: Norfolk, Chesapeake, Richmond, Hampton, Roanoke, Portsmouth, Arlington, Williamsburg, Luray, and Leesburg
Virginia Wedding Photography, Engagement Photo Sessions + Elopements
Intimate Wedding Photography in Virginia - Capturing the Joy of Small Celebrations - Discover the best Virginia 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 Virginia 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, Virginia documentary wedding photographers available right now who understand that some weddings and elopements can’t wait. Find yours today!
Recent WPJA WedElope Story Awards
Virginia Photographers for Large or Small Weddings
Shooting an elopement or small Virginia 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 small, justice of the peace, mini, 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.
View Award-Winning Pictures from Virginia Wedding Venues
35 Virginia Wedding Photographers...
Drawing from her background in professional lighting design, Brittany Diliberto, an East Coast USA-based photographer, applies a documentary approach to her visual storytelling. Through her artistic lens, she skillfully captures spectacular moments, creating a visual...
4250 (USD)
Xiaoqi Li is a destination wedding photographer who is dedicated to capturing the genuine and meaningful moments of couples' special days. With a deep appreciation for the importance of photographs in preserving memories, she aims to provide peace of mind to her...
0 (USD)
Adopting a documentary approach, USA-based wedding photographer Johnny Shryock employs his storytelling talent to capture incredible moments since his own brother's wedding a decade ago. By establishing a genuine connection with couples, he creates a comfortable...
4250 (USD)
With a passion for storytelling through images, Megan Rei is a documentary wedding photographer based in the Washington metropolitan area. Combining her experience in dog photography with her love for traveling, Megan strives to create a visual narrative that captures...
4000 (USD)
Anastasiia Polyakov's documentary style, paired with her artistic eye, enables her to beautifully capture the essence of existence through wedding photography, memorializing moments with compassion and expression.
3500 (USD)
A wedding photojournalist with a love for the Washington Metro Area, Lauren Barkume's passion for capturing nature's beauty and genuine emotions sets her images apart.
4990 (USD)
Mike Kropf is a native Charlottesvillian and passionate wedding photographer. Fueled by his love of camping and exploring, Mike discovered his passion for preserving memories through artful photography in the Middle East.
3000 (USD)
Washington Metropolitan Area wedding photographer Sarah Sta Ana is a documentary photographer with a passion for storytelling and capturing raw, pure, and beautiful moments. Initially drawn to the world of non-profits, she moved to Washington, DC to further develop her...
1800 (USD)
Heather Hughes Ostermaier is a Virginia wedding photographer with over 8 years full-time experience. She and her husband Rob both have extensive backgrounds in photojournalism and have been published in various notable publications. They provide unobtrusive and creative...
2999 (USD)
Emie McGee, a talented documentary wedding photographer from Lynchburg, VA, brings her expertise and passion for film photography to capture your special day in a unique and unforgettable way.
3200 (USD)
Wes Shinn, a documentary wedding photographer with a decade of experience as a military photojournalist, beautifully documents every detail and narrative of your wedding, creating powerful and cherished memories.
3400 (USD)
Amber is a highly acclaimed wedding photographer based in Richmond, Virginia. With over ten years of experience in capturing beautiful wedding moments, her work has been featured in top wedding publications. Amber specializes in weddings in the greater Virginian area and...
4750 (USD)
Michael Freas is a visual storyteller in the field of photography, specializing in wedding ceremonies. He excels at capturing the unique moments that define the love between two people, while also honoring the presence of all those who attend.
Michael Freas
Asheville in North Carolina, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.3800 (USD)
Neil Thurston is a destination wedding photographer who takes a documentary approach to storytelling through visual imagery. With a background in action sports photography and extensive international experience, Neil uses his unobtrusive style to capture the authentic...
Neil Thurston
Nags Head in North Carolina, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.500/hour (USD)
With a passion for capturing moments in a journalistic style, Kenneth Clapp brings an unobtrusive approach to his work as a wedding photojournalist. He skillfully documents the emotions and moments of each couple's big day, ensuring their love story is told through...
Kenneth Clapp
Baltimore in Maryland, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.3000 (USD)
Christine Hochkeppel, a New England documentary wedding photographer, brings a decade of experience in capturing weddings and has contributed to publications including Worcester Telegram & Gazette, Cape Cod Times, and the Boston Globe.
Christine Hochkeppel
Osterville in Massachusetts, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.3675 (USD)
Song Johns is an acclaimed documentary wedding photographer and the founder of Blooming Dreams Photo. With her unique artistic approach, she skillfully captures the genuine emotions and fleeting moments of each couple's wedding day.
Song Johns
Charlotte in North Carolina, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.2900 (USD)
Lacey Butler, a visual storyteller with a strong background in traditional photography, studio lighting, and English literature, has documented over 400 weddings. She takes a journalistic style approach, valuing authentic, heartfelt moments over staged ones.
Lacey Butler
Asheville in North Carolina, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.2000 (USD)
Matt Kolf is an international wedding photographer. Originally from Washington D.C., he was inspired to pursue art history and photography through the likes of Velaquez, Rembrandt, and Norman Rockwell. Specifically, Kolf specializes in Catholic weddings in Spain and on the...
Matt Kolf
Washington DC in District Of Columbia, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.3500 (USD)
Natasha Lamalle is an honest story telling wedding photographer with fifteen years of experience as a journalist. Her keen ability to observe and capture the authentic and often fleeting moments of love, coupled with her trained eye and subtle approach to photography make...
Natasha Lamalle
Washington DC in District Of Columbia, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.4000 (USD)
In journalistic style, Ken Pak, a visual storyteller, freezes the most natural once-in-a-lifetime moments through his lenses, making them as beautiful as the couple remembers them.
Ken Pak
Washington DC in District Of Columbia, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.3900 (USD)
Morgan O'Neil takes a documentary approach to her photography, skillfully capturing wedding moments with a camera. Specializing in vibrant coastal wedding photos, she uses her storytelling skills to create visually compelling images.
Morgan O'Neil
Baltimore in Maryland, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.4800 (USD)
Using a journalistic approach, Breanna Shaw captures the essence of love and connection in her photography, making it her life's mission to share these moments with her clients.
Breanna Shaw
Reisterstown in Maryland, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.3850 (USD)
Utilizing a documentary approach, Andrew Morrell showcases his distinctive storytelling ability. Through his visual style, he artfully captures weddings and elopements, combining art, technology, and an element of improvisation.
Andrew Morrell
Cleveland in Ohio, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.3600 (USD)
Colleen Stepanian, a USA wedding photographer, approaches her work with a documentary approach, combining storytelling and visual elements. She believes in capturing the essence of human connection, relationships, and vulnerability, with the responsibility to preserve...
Colleen Stepanian
Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.4800 (USD)
With a documentary approach to storytelling, Anji Martin, a visual, has been documenting life with a camera since childhood. Specializing in wedding and elopement photography, she primarily serves couples in the Washington, DC, area but is available for destination weddings.
Anji Martin
Washington in District Of Columbia, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.4450 (USD)
In her own creative style, Mary Kate McKenna, a wedding photojournalist with 13 years of experience, captures the genuine moments that unfold during small weddings, courthouse weddings, and destination micro weddings, celebrating the union between two people.
Mary Kate McKenna
Frederick in Maryland, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.2500 (USD)
Ryan Rayburn, a seasoned wedding photojournalist, utilizes his journalistic style and expertise honed from nine years in the newspaper industry to capture candid moments. With a keen eye for emotions and an unobtrusive approach, Ryan ensures couples have a visual chronicle...
Ryan Rayburn
Bethesda in Maryland, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.2200 (USD)
In a journalistic style, Dan Harris, a wedding photojournalist, expertly captures the fleeting moments of love and joy that occur during weddings. His extensive portfolio showcases the unforgettable memories he has captured, and he has been recognized with numerous...
Dan Harris
Jacksonville in Florida, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.400/hour (USD)
Annalee Durland-Jones is a wedding photographer based in New England, specializing in authentic and sentimental moments. She discovered her passion for photography in high school and fell in love with capturing love stories. With a focus on storytelling, Annalee aims to...
Annalee Durland-Jones
Boston in Massachusetts, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.6000 (USD)
Brian Mullins, a highly regarded Raleigh documentary wedding photographer, brings his diverse background in photography, cinematography, and concert lighting to create stunning imagery that captures the true essence of wedding moments.
Brian Mullins
Apex in North Carolina, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.3499 (USD)
Washington, D.C. native Susannah Stevens, an MA graduate in multimedia journalism from the Corcoran College of Art & Design, specializes in intimate weddings, micro-weddings, and elopements. Offering short-notice availability, she prioritizes meaningful moments. With an...
Susannah Stevens
Washington DC in District Of Columbia, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.1100 (USD)
Tom Waldenberg is a wedding photographer based in the Eastern U.S., passionate about capturing beautiful, genuine moments for couples. Tom loves playing guitar for bands and tending to his garden.
Tom Waldenberg
Raleigh in North Carolina, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.3000 (USD)
Dedicated Maryland photographer Aira Hickman, a loving mother and Navy veteran's wife, captures genuine moments with an organic approach. Passionate since picking up her first camera, she focuses on authenticity and making clients feel confident and loved.
Aira Hickman
Gambrills in Maryland, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.880 (USD)
Map of Wedding Photojournalists Serving Virginia Couples
Wedding Venue Pictures by Virginia Wedding Photographers
Please select a venue below to view all associated contest-winning Virginia wedding photos.
Virginia Wedding, Elopement and Engagement Images by WPJA Photographers
Below are some Virginia wedding photography samples from the world’s best wedding photographers of the WPJA. Some of these Virginia marriage pictures might be artistic portraits, details, or documentary-style images that have come from getting ready sessions, wedding ceremonies, reception venues, or Virginia engagement portrait sessions with couples.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Searches Related to Virginia Wedding Photography Vendors
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How can couples find Virginia photographers for pre-wedding engagement portraits?
A: The WPJA issues Diamond Awards for Virginia 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: Can a wedding photojournalist create artistic portraits on my Virginia 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 Virginia wedding photographers who have earned Artistic Guild awards for portrait and detail images.
Q: How can couples find reviews of Virginia 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 Virginia wedding photographers for their own wedding.
WPJA Communiqué: Featured Wedding Photography Articles
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
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
RAVES, REVIEWS, AND Virginia WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER RECOMMENDATIONS
Teri and Michael
Photo by Neil Thurston
Thank you so incredibly much for everything! Everyone that sees our pictures says WOW! and that we just radiate happiness, and that is the perfect compliment because that's exactly how we felt and you captured it perfectly! We will cherish these photos forever. Hopefully our paths cross again one day, perhaps for family photos!
Corley & Don
Photo by Neil Thurston
Hi Neil and Lisa, Don and I are beyond thrilled with our pictures! The quality, detail, and beauty of the pictures is just so obvious. Aside from all those things, we love that you captured the sequence of events in a photojournalistic fashion. I've gotten comments from many of my friends/family that these are the best pictures they have ever seen, and of course we are just so proud that they are our pictures. I also have to chuckle a little because you guys were such an organized but chill vendor and as a project manager myself, I know how much preparation you both did behind the scenes to make that work. We couldn't be any happier and if you ever need a reference - email, phone, whatever - please do not hesitate to call.
Anna & Justin
Photo by Xiaoqi Li
Xiaoqi: We wanted to thank you for your exceptional service especially how challenging 2020 turned out to be. Your small trinkets (the unexpected cookies!) made getting married a delightful process. We were on the fence about having a wedding and now that we have done it, we are so glad we made the choice to proceed. You were an enormous part of our pleasant, beautiful, amazing experience. Thank you. Love, Anna & Justin
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.
