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California - Northern Wedding Photographers

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California - Northern Wedding Photographers

Our California - Northern photographers also provide documentary-style coverage in: Santa Clara, Oakland, Shasta Lake, Napa, Sonoma, Lake Tahoe, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Jose, Alameda, Vallejo, Sunnyvale, Mendocino, Woodside, San Mateo County, and the San Francisco Peninsula

California - Northern Wedding Photography, Engagement Photo Sessions + Elopements

Intimate Wedding Photography in California - Northern - Capturing the Joy of Small Celebrations - Discover the best California - Northern 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 California - Northern 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, California - Northern documentary wedding photographers available right now who understand that some weddings and elopements can’t wait. Find yours today!
Recent WPJA WedElope Story Awards
The bride and groom share a loving kiss as they are surrounded by their close family and friends after their civil wedding ceremony at the town hall, captured in a beautiful Ceremony Photo to remember the intimate moment
Sylvain Bouzat
Kapalua Bay, Maui Wedding Photographer | bride and groom clasp hands during their traditional Hawaiian wedding ceremony
Drew Bird
The bride and groom exchanged warm hugs after the indoor civil ceremony at the town hall, surrounded by their cherished guests
Audrey Morisson

California - Northern Photographers for Large or Small Weddings

Shooting an elopement or small California - Northern 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, themed, justice of the peace, 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.

51 California - Northern Wedding Photographers...

Map of Wedding Photojournalists Serving California - Northern Couples

California - Northern Wedding, Elopement and Engagement Images by WPJA Photographers

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

In this engagement portrait, a couple from Palo Alto, CA shares a mesmerizing embrace under a yellow tree, blending urban and natural elements in an artistic shot.
A couple in Los Gatos, CA, shares a warm embrace and small talk by the lake, radiating big smiles in a romantic setting for their engagement portrait session.
Capturing the silhouette of the embracing couple in Santa Cruz, CA, this monochromatic engagement portrait exudes a vintage charm with its black and white tones.
In San Francisco, CA, this engaged couple is captured in a romantic scene by the bay. The serene backdrop adds to the sweetness of their love.
At Everline Resort & Spa in Olympic Valley, California, a bridesmaid's hands delicately cradle the wedding dress, adorned with an inflatable bride sign adorning the wall behind. This whimsical scene captures the anticipation and excitement of the preps.
At Viansa Winery in Sonoma, California, bridesmaids gather around to assist the bride as she slips into her shoes inside the rustic charm of a winery barrel room. This intimate moment exudes camaraderie and support amidst the ambiance of wine country.
Amidst the majestic pines of Mitchells Mountain Meadows in Truckee, California, a girl adds a touch of whimsy to the outdoor reception as she dances gracefully with her parasol. Against the backdrop of nature's beauty, her joyful movements are captured.
A lovely moment between newlyweds as they exchange vows in front of lush greenery at Valley Presbyterian Church in Portola Valley, CA captured on their wedding day.
A black and white close-up shot of a couple exchanging vows at San Francisco City Hall during their wedding day, showcasing their love and commitment.
This beautiful black and white image captures the sweet embrace of a newlywed couple on their wedding day at a private residence in Saratoga, CA, during an outdoor ceremony in a garden setting.
Wedding day moment captured at Saratoga Springs in Saratoga, CA, showcasing a beautiful shot filled with loving gazes towards many persons.
A beautiful portrait captured at Garre' Vineyard & Winery in Livermore, CA, where a newlywed couple gazes lovingly at each other against a breathtaking sunset.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who are the best California - Northern wedding photographers for small elopements?
A: The WPJA is proud to have some of the top California - Northern documentary wedding photographers for elopements. Our members are able to submit WedElope Stories that take you step-by-step, via a 9 image picture story, through the unique and moving elopements that take place around the world.
Q: How can couples find California - Northern photographers for pre-wedding engagement portraits?
A: The WPJA issues Diamond Awards for California - Northern 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: Where can I find a photographer for a short-notice, small California - Northern wedding?
A: There are many WPJA photographers who are able to help you out at a moment's notice. We understand that sometimes love happens and there's simply no time to lose. We can ensure that you can get married as quickly as possible — and have incredible photographs to remember your California - Northern wedding day by.
WPJA Communiqué: Featured Wedding Photography Articles
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
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
Small Weddings - How to Budget and Save
Traditionally speaking, often times it is the couple’s families who help pay for their wedding. However, unfortunately that’s just not possible for everyone, especially these days when the cost of weddings can quickly and easily get out of control. Some couples find...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 California - Northern WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER RECOMMENDATIONS

Tyler + Karim

Photo by Drew Bird

Hi Drew, These photos are AMAZING! We haven't been able to stop looking through them since Thursday night. All work productivity has been shot! We love reliving every moment of the day through the beautiful storybook you've created for us. There are so many moments that we weren't even aware of-- and we're so thankful that you were able to show those to us. It's absolutely beautiful. We especially appreciative of the creative shots you were able to capture within live shots-- the lines, colors and images from the churches and venues are incredible. We are so happy and thankful for your attention to detail. We had a lot of family and friends also comment on how professional you were and inquire about your website. Let us know where we can leave our public reviews to help let other folks know about your amazing work. Best, Tyler & Karim

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Emily + Zach

Photo by Drew Bird

Hi Drew - These photos are absolutely incredible!! We are speechless. We were looking through them this evening and it was like re-living the whole weekend in the sierra mountains. These are such treasured memories. We feel so lucky to have had you as our storyteller and that you were part of the weekend story, along with all our friends and family. Thank you!!!! -Emily + Zach

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Edgewood at Tahoe wedding ceremony photography

LAURA AND SID

Photo by David Braun

Hi David, You were so great to work with and the pictures are really stunning. We will leave you a review ASAP, hoping to get to it this weekend! Thank you for everything!

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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.