WPJA.com HomeWedding Photojournalist Association

Michigan Wedding Photographers

Find a Photographer / United States / Michigan

Michigan Wedding Photographers

Our Michigan photographers also provide documentary-style coverage in: Detroit, Grand Rapids, Warren, Sterling, Ann Arbor, Lansing, Flint, Dearborn, Livonia

Michigan Wedding Photography, Engagement Photo Sessions + Elopements

Intimate Wedding Photography in Michigan - Capturing the Joy of Small Celebrations - Discover the best Michigan 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 Michigan 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, Michigan documentary wedding photographers available right now who understand that some weddings and elopements can’t wait. Find yours today!
Recent WPJA WedElope Story Awards
Winter frozen wind swept Lake sunset portraits after elopement ceremony
Brittany Bugaj
The sun glowed beneath the horizon as their cliffside ceremony unfolded, providing a beautiful backdrop of the sea and creating a truly magical and romantic experience for the newlyweds
Carlos Porfírio
The bride and groom stood facing each other, holding hands, as their friend officiated their small wedding ceremony outside in a park
Danielle Gardner

Michigan Photographers for Large or Small Weddings

Shooting an elopement or small Michigan 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 secret, civil ceremony, city hall, 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.

9 Michigan Wedding Photographers...

Wedding photography and elopements by Ray Iavasile of Michigan

Ray Anthony Iavasile, a wedding photojournalist based in Michigan, is celebrated for his journalistic style and ability to capture authentic moments. He is recognized as one of the Top 50 wedding photojournalists worldwide and is the go-to choice for couples in Michigan.

Ray Iavasile

Birmingham in Michigan, US
66
3000 (USD)
Elopements by Top Wedding Photographer Justin Edmonds

Justin Edmonds has worked as a photojournalist for the past 14 years, having built his reputation with major clients like Getty Images, The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, Major League Baseball, Upper Deck, NASCAR and The Denver Post. His experience and skill have...

Justin Edmonds

Denver in Colorado, US *Now booking Michigan weddings.
136
1
10
3
64
4800 (USD)
Mid-west wedding, engagement and elopement photography by Madi Ellis

Madi Ellis, a documentary wedding photographer from the USA, has a strong passion for capturing love stories in a raw and authentic way. With a background in acting, she skillfully tells couples' stories through her honest and original work.

Madi Ellis

Chicago in Illinois, US *Now booking Michigan weddings.
21
30
4450 (USD)
Portrait of wedding photographer Sarah Nader

Sarah Nader is an award-winning wedding photojournalist with a background in photojournalism. She has a husband and two Golden Retrievers, and loves traveling, cooking, and Peloton.

Sarah Nader

Chicago in Illinois, US *Now booking Michigan weddings.
27
54
4400 (USD)
Wedding, engagement and elopement photography by Natasha Lamalle

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 Michigan weddings.
15
5
75
4000 (USD)
Adventure marriage images by Nicky Byrnes of Nemus Wedding Photography

Nicky Byrnes is an elopement photographer and a documentary wedding photographer with a photojournalism degree. Her work has been published in print and online magazines. An outdoors enthusiast, she loves music, books, and skiing, and has two rescue dogs.

Nicky Byrnes

Carnelian Bay in California, US *Now booking Michigan weddings.
46
1
7
3900 (USD)
Rustbelt Mayberry Wedding Photographer, Erin Ninehouser

Erin Ninehouser, a documentary wedding photographer hailing from the Eastern USA, boasts an impressive resume of over two decades of experience. Her photographs tell captivating stories, capturing the essence of each event she witnesses.

Erin Ninehouser

Ambridge in Pennsylvania, US *Now booking Michigan weddings.
2
8
3600 (USD)
Destination weddings, engagement couple sessions and elopement photography by Angela Nelson

Angela Nelson is a destination wedding photographer based in Hawaii. She discovered her passion for photography while teaching high school in Maui and has been capturing real moments and the beauty of Hawaii ever since. When she's not behind the camera, Angela enjoys...

Angela Nelson

Makawao in Hawaii, US *Now booking Michigan weddings.
8
1
26
3400 (USD)
Weddings by Ryan & Kate for elopements and marriage photography - Portrait of Ryan Howard Sigesmund

Ryan Howard Sig is a talented wedding photojournalist whose keen eye for storytelling brings an intimate and candid approach to every image he captures.

Ryan Howard Sigesmund

Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania, US *Now booking Michigan weddings.
1
3000 (USD)

Map of Wedding Photojournalists Serving Michigan Couples

Michigan Wedding, Elopement and Engagement Images by WPJA Photographers

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

At the Meridian Banquet Center in Farmington Hills, Michigan, a bride bids farewell to her family following the heartwarming wedding ceremony.
At the Westin Hotel in Southfield, Michigan, an enchanting Indian wedding ceremony unfolds as the bride and groom joyfully participate in the traditional ritual of blowing flower petals into each other's faces.
At the Crystal Gardens Event Center, a heartwarming scene unfolds as the children of the bride and groom share a playful moment while peering in on their parents who are on the verge of exchanging vows.
A wedding guest at Blissful Barn in Michigan impresses the crowd with a worm dance move, complete with a tie wrapped around his head
The couple posed for an artful engagement portrait in Detroit, with downtown's skyline in the background and a police cruiser parked nearby
As the uninterested flower girl was escorted down the ceremony aisle of the Meridian Banquet and Events Hall in Farmington Hills, MI
At the Bride's parents home in Bloomfield Hills, MI, the Bride sought out her bridesmaids' opinions to decide which set of sparkling earrings to complete her wedding day look
Michigan candid documentary wedding photography at The Meridian Banquet and Events Hall in Farmington Hills captured this Indian bride getting help with her bangles
The first dance with the bride and groom at their outdoor reception at the Cafe Cortina, Farmington, MI
View this grand, pictorial Traverse City wedding image of the cake and a large sword cutting it which was a featured picture among the best wedding photography in Michigan from the WPJA
View this dramatic Traverse City wedding image of A colorful backlit portrait of the bride and groom in front of a fountain which was a featured picture among the best wedding photography in Michigan from the WPJA
The Michigan WPJA is the alternative to traditional wedding images and is pleased to present this inspiring wedding photography example from the Ovation Yacht on the Detroit River of the MI Bride and groom first dance under the Ambassador Bridge

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can couples find top-ranked Michigan wedding photographers?
A: The WPJA created the original wedding photographer ranking systems. Our innovative system is based on contest winning points, meaning that the Michigan 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 Michigan photographers for pre-wedding engagement portraits?
A: The WPJA issues Diamond Awards for Michigan 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 Michigan 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 Michigan wedding photographers who have earned Artistic Guild awards for portrait and detail images.
WPJA Communiqué: Featured Wedding Photography Articles
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
What is a Modern Elopement?
WHAT EXACTLY DOES IT MEAN TO ELOPE? If you look up the definition of “elope” in the Merriam-Webster dictionary , you’ll find a plethora of meanings making it quite clear how polarizing the word has become, and how it has transformed and evolved with the passage of time and...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 Michigan WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER RECOMMENDATIONS

Briar Common Brewery Wedding Photography in the rain.

Holly and Hayden

Photo by Justin Edmonds

I absolutely ADORE these photos!! You did an amazing job and I just want to show you one simple shot that just gave goosebumps because it was basically a recreation of my best friend and I's favorite picture from graduating high school. I just feel the love and growth and maturity we've got through together in your picture. I wanted to let you know and let you know you're doing such a great job with your work even in these small moments-- whether you know it or not!

View Photographer
Outdoor wedding ceremony at the Garden of the Gods Club

Shabnam and Joseph

Photo by Justin Edmonds

Choosing you was the easiest part of the shit show that was wedding planning. Working with you is something I would choose over a hundred times, you get how silly and impulsive we are . And You’re so damn tall, but you move like a ghost to get a shot that is as if it was taken from right in front of me. I remember dancing with you for like two seconds, and otherwise, don’t remember seeing you. It’s unbelievable. Thank you for capturing our wedding so perfectly. I would love to buy you a drink whenever you’re in town and are free.

View Photographer
Emerson Fields wedding photography from the reception with bride and groom on dance floor

Sienna and Jacob

Photo by Justin Edmonds

WE ARE CRYING. THEY ARE SO GOOD. Gotta go, we're going to go look at them all over again. I have never seen better wedding photos in my life and I will flex on everyone soon.

View Photographer

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.