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Charlottesville Wedding Photographers

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Charlottesville Wedding Photographers

Our Charlottesville photographers also provide documentary-style coverage in: Commonwealth of Virginia, Albemarle, Albemarle, Buckingham, Fluvanna, Greene, Nelson

Charlottesville Wedding Photography, Engagement Photo Sessions + Elopements

Intimate Wedding Photography in Charlottesville - Capturing the Joy of Small Celebrations - Discover the best Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville 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, Charlottesville documentary wedding photographers available right now who understand that some weddings and elopements can’t wait. Find yours today!
Recent WPJA WedElope Story Awards
Resort Elopement Portrait of the bride and groom after the ceremony during the sunset in the countryside
Laura Barbera
Mountain Preserve Wedding Pic from the Desert | the sun touches the edge of the Mountain Peak
Laura Segall
The bride gracefully walked away from her parents' flat, her white gown flowing behind her as she held her father's hand
Carlos Porfírio

Charlottesville Photographers for Large or Small Weddings

Shooting an elopement or small Charlottesville 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.

Virginia WPJA members are ready to document any pop-up, courthouse, themed, 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 Charlottesville Wedding Venues

WPJA Venue Images
WPJA Venue Images

7 Charlottesville Wedding Photographers...

Xiaoqi Li - Artistic wedding and engagement photographer

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...

Xiaoqi Li

Charlottesville in Virginia, US
46
2
3
5
0 (USD)
Mike Kropf Wedding Photography in the USA

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.

Mike Kropf

Charlottesville in Virginia, US
4
1
3000 (USD)
Studio portrait of Brittany Diliberto, an elopement and wedding photographer | Bee Two Sweet Photography

In her work as a visual storyteller, Brittany Diliberto, an East Coast USA-based photographer, skillfully captures breathtaking moments through a journalistic style, artistic angles, and a touch of inspiration. With a background in professional lighting design, she...

Brittany Diliberto

Arlington in Virginia, US *Now booking Charlottesville weddings.
163
1
105
4250 (USD)
Engagement Portrait Pro, Wedding and Elopement Photographer Johnny Shryock of the WPJA

In a journalistic style, USA-based wedding photographer Johnny Shryock has been recognized as a visual storyteller, capturing incredible moments since his own brother's wedding a decade ago. Through his unique approach, he builds a connection with couples, putting them...

Johnny Shryock

Arlington in Virginia, US *Now booking Charlottesville weddings.
132
52
4250 (USD)
Megan Rei, Documentary Style Wedding Photographer

Megan Rei is a Washington metropolitan area wedding photographer with a background in dog photography. She enjoys traveling and is open to new adventures. Megan lives with her husband Neal and their dog Rui, and she strives to capture natural and candid moments in her...

Megan Rei

Bristow in Virginia, US *Now booking Charlottesville weddings.
7
2
35
4000 (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...

Heather Hughes Ostermaier

Newport News in Virginia, US *Now booking Charlottesville weddings.
13
10
2
7
2999 (USD)
Portrait of Amber Lamphere, a Wedding Photographer in Richmond, VA

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...

Amber Lamphere

Lynchburg in Virginia, US *Now booking Charlottesville weddings.
1
4750 (USD)

Map of Wedding Photojournalists Serving Charlottesville Couples

Charlottesville Wedding Elopement Photography - WedElope

View WedElope Image Galleries by Charlottesville Wedding Photographers from Small Events and Intimate Elopements.

Wedding Venue Pictures by Charlottesville Wedding Photographers

Please select a venue below to view all associated contest-winning Charlottesville wedding photos.

Charlottesville Wedding, Elopement and Engagement Images by WPJA Photographers

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

Emotional moment captured at Early Mountain Vineyards in Charlottesville, Virginia, as the bride and her brother embrace and shed tears after the ceremony.
Photographer captures guests at a wedding in Charlottesville, Virginia, dancing and enjoying donuts. The lively image was recognized with an award from the Wedding Photojournalist Association.
At Random Row Brewing in Charlottesville, a couple is captured in this wedding day photo as they share a joyous moment of laughter while walking down the aisle, holding hands
In a woodland setting along the Rivanna Trail in Charlottesville, VA, a couple finds solace in each other's arms, surrounded by lush, emerald foliage, their tender embrace encapsulates their love
A couple playfully engages in a cake fight after cutting their wedding cake at Mount Ida Farm in Charlottesville, resulting in a messy and fun-filled moment during their special day
At Avon Hill Lodge in Charlottesville, Virginia, USA, the bride was captured on the dance floor playing air guitar, surrounded by guests pointing at her
At Keswick Vineyards in Charlottesville, Virginia, USA, the Bride's Godmother placed her hand on the Bride's mother's shoulder during the ceremony in a sign of support and love
At The Space Downtown, Charlottesville, Virginia, a bride is doing yogi limbo while her wife, family and friends watch
Documentary style photography from a Charlottesville wedding at Montalto in Virginia recording the Bride and dad share a hug outdoors
Charlottesville editorial style wedding photography at 12 Ridges Vineyard in Virginia capturing the Couple and guests laughing during toasts at the outdoor marriage venue
The couple shared a romantic kiss in the rain under an umbrella and beneath strings of lights at a reception venue in Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville best wedding photography at Montalto venue showing BW Closeup of brides ring

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can couples find Charlottesville photographers for pre-wedding engagement portraits?
A: The WPJA issues Diamond Awards for Charlottesville 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: How can couples find top-ranked Charlottesville wedding photographers?
A: The WPJA created the original wedding photographer ranking systems. Our innovative system is based on contest winning points, meaning that the Charlottesville photographers you see at the top of your search results page have recently won the most — and the most recent — contest awards. Our contests judge photographers based on their creativity, style, composure, and ability to capture the heart of any couple's story on their wedding day.
Q: How can couples find reviews of Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville wedding photographers for their own wedding.
WPJA Communiqué: Featured Wedding Photography Articles
jperlman elk cove inn ceremony
Top 4 Types of Small Weddings to Make Your Day Truly Yours
Everyone always says that your wedding day is all about you. But let’s face it; that’s not always actually the case. Many couples stress over guest lists, planning, expenses, and all the frills and traditions of your standard large wedding that they may or may not even be...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 Charlottesville WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER RECOMMENDATIONS

Laura & Bryan

Photo by Heather Hughes Ostermaier

Hi Heather! Thank you!! We are so excited to see the pictures. Thanks you so much for being a part of our day and capturing all our special moments. We will treasure these forever. Feel free to share any photos you'd like. Thank you again so much! I hope that one day our paths might cross again. Until then, I wish you and your family all the best!

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Bride and groom reception dancing image from the Washington Golf & Country Club Venue, Arlington, VA

Liz & Cameron

Photo by Xiaoqi Li

Xiaoqi, Cameron and I cannot thank you enough for making our wedding day so special and capturing it all beautifully. Many of our guests commented on how kind, talented and helpful you were. You made everyone posing feel comfortable in front of the lens, which can be a tough task for a photographer I'd imagine! We will definitely recommend you to others as more of our friends and family get married. Can't wait for the big reveal and maybe we will see you down in Charlottesville! -Lizzy

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Wedding image from Celebrations At the Reservoir, Richmond, Virginia, USA

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

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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.