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 interested in. Fortunately, though, the concept of small weddings is becoming increasingly popular for couples who either want to be able to completely customize their day where and when they want with the option...Read more
Are you planning a short-notice, small wedding or elopement?
WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIOS ARE OPEN - Many couples don’t want to wait. They are planning to get married in the very near future, eloping, or rushing a small ceremony with their photographer, some close friends, and family but dispensing with or postponing the reception party.
View WPJA photo stories from smaller weddings - WedElope | Choose love, not fear!
Oakland Wedding Photographers
Wedding Photographers of Oakland, California - Northern
Oakland Elopement Photographers
YOU CAN'T STOP LOVE - In recent days, some of our United States photographer vendors have expressed their desire to accommodate couples who don’t want to wait to be married and are rushing the ceremony.
Many brides and grooms around the globe are planning to elope and deciding to reschedule their original ideas for a big event because of current wedding size restrictions, social distancing, and mask requirements. They are getting wed on a whim, but dispensing with or postponing all else.
The WPJA has an abundance of top-ranked, documentary-style elopement photographers who are available right now who understand that some weddings can’t wait. Find yours today!
Most Recent WPJA WedElope Story Awards
Elopement Photographers for Small California - Northern Weddings
Shooting an elopement or small Oakland 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.
Members are ready to document any civil ceremony, pop-up, 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.
We are anxious to create a picture story chronicling your casual, romantic, non-traditional, small wedding from beginning to end. In this sense, it is no different from any other event that we have covered. The emphasis is on documenting key moments, capturing spontaneous displays of emotion, telling your real love story, as well as creating artistic portraits and details.
Map of Wedding Photojournalists Serving Oakland Couples
3 Documentary Wedding Photographers...
Years ago, Papa presented me with one of his spare cameras to play with. Eventually, I learned that photography was much more than simply pointing and clicking. Starting out with a Pentax Honeywell film camera, I learned what proper exposure and composition were through many many discarded photos. Even as I inevitably created garbage, Papa would always encourage me by picking up my photos at the store or buying me more film and better equipment. All those years I didn't want to just throw myself out there as a "photographer" until I was sure I knew what I was doing. Photographing family and friends' events, working as a nightclub photographer, and getting the right gear has all been necessities along the way. A wonderful support system pushed me to better myself in it. San Francisco Bay Area Wedding Photographer with a focus on moments, with a kick of humor and creativity! I hope to give you images that are unique and don't look like anyone else's, and to capture beautiful moments that don't look too posed :D [San Francisco Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
2850 (USD)
I love telling stories with photographs. When photographing a wedding I aim to capture authentic and unscripted expressions of beauty, love, and human connection. I was drawn to photography primarily because of the power of still images. Well made photographs have the capacity to preserve our most cherished memories — shared experiences with the people we love. Your wedding celebration will likely include the most important people in your life. The photos that we create together will become a time capsule and a family heirloom for your own memories and to pass on to future generations. Moments are fragile. My relaxed personality helps people to feel comfortable allowing moments to thrive. Organic and natural moments will make up the majority of your photo story. I’ll also create artistic portraits, group photos, and images of architecture, landscapes, details, and decor. With over ten years of experience, my team and I have developed a method and approach that enables us to document the action in a way that you and your guests will barely notice our presence. A question I often get asked at weddings is “how do you know the couple?” My easygoing nature and friendly rapport with everyone leads many guests to assume I’ve been friends with the couple for ages and perhaps I’m simply another guest (who also has a camera and loves photography). Acceptance as part of the inner circle gives me access and helps establish trust. This enables me and my team to get close to the action and to document artistically without being a distraction. From intimate micro weddings and elopements to really big multiple day celebrations and destination weddings — my team and I have photographed weddings and other projects throughout the San Francisco Bay Area where I live, all over the world, and in nearly every state across the USA. (We do offer special pricing for micro weddings and elopements). If you want your wedding photos to embody the energy, passion, character and love of you and your family and friends, let’s chat more. If you love photographs that tell a story and express the true beauty of unscripted, genuine moments – I’d love to hear from you. I proudly support equal marriage rights and LGBTQ+ weddings. When not travelling for a photo project I live in Oakland, CA with my sweet-lady and a little lemon tree in the backyard. [San Francisco Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
3500 (USD)
My love for photography had long since began. For me, photography was simply a hobby that transformed into a passion. For several years, I would take a lot of pictures of my relatives and friends. It was more then just a snap of the shutter; it was capturing memories that could be cherished and passed down forever. I am more of an observer than a talker, I believe the most important element to be captured in a photograph is emotion. The more emotional the shot is, the more it appeals to our senses, and the greater the connection we feel to it. If a picture conveys emotion – whether it’s happiness, surprise, sorrow, disgust – then it stands out! I find a moment and then tell a story. For me, photography is all about capturing authenticity, movement, spontaneity, and mood.. we can help you feel and preserve your emotions more vividly. As a photographer, I can make a unique impact on how your wedding is remembered, not just in pictures, but in emotions. [San Francisco Wedding Photographer]
Starting Price:
2000 (USD)
Searches Related to Oakland Wedding Photography Vendors
WPJA Communiqué: Features
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 even personal preference.Read more
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 better! Why limit yourself to a quiet, quaint ceremony when your adventurous heart may be calling out for something more? An entirely different genre of wedding, so to speak, is the adventure wedding elopement. This concept...Read more
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 sunshine and that open, airy feeling and give your guests some room to breathe! LESS IS MORE Instead of hemming your guests in on all sides, give them some elbow room, and legroom, too. There's no need to induce claustrophobia when you've got a wide, open space. Let your guests take in the view, especially if you've got a spectacular one. You...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 and their fiancés on this special day. So how do you infuse your wedding with all the romance but none of the fuss? ALONE AT LAST Many couples these days are opting to elope rather than planning a large wedding. For the no-...Read more
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 themselves in the position of paying for all of their own wedding expenses, which can be quite the financial burden to take on, and about 40% of Millennials end up in this boat. So, how can you stick to your allotted...Read more
RAVES, REVIEWS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS
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
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
Benita & Ben
Photo by Drew Bird
Drew, thanks so much for everything. We had so much fun working with you. From start to finish you were great to work with and showed the highest professionalism. All of our guests really enjoyed how fun you were, too. And the photos!! The images are just beautiful. Every time we look through the photo story we see new favorites and amazing moments. Even though the wedding was only a month ago the images bring back so many amazing memories. We are so happy that you were our photographer. We will definitely be recommending you to all our family and friends. Also let us know where we can give you some public shout-outs! Thanks again!
Stephanie + Nick
Photo by Drew Bird
Hi Drew, The images are amazing!! Absolutely wonderful!! Your images really are a very special way to preserve our memories! The photos that you made around City Hall are gorgeous. It was nice to relax and laugh a little and enjoy the amazing architecture. We also love how you captured artistic candid details at the reception at Stable Cafe. There are so many wonderful moments: like so many conversations, the toasts, the food that was served, and the atmosphere. Thank you so much for your professionalism and good spirits on our wedding day. You were such a pleasure to work with, and are so amazing at your craft. We really enjoyed working with you throughout the day, and you put us at ease while making photos. We really love how you had a stress-free attitude. You really captured the feelings of the day! Thank you so much for all of your help creating lasting memories for us and our friends and family and for being such a significant part of our wedding day and story. We honestly can't thank you enough. Best, Stephanie + Nick
Sarah + Stephen
Photo by Drew Bird
Hey Drew - We went through all the pics last night and I just wanted to tell you again how awesome they are! You really captured some amazing moments and we're forever grateful! I was 3/4 through them and crying lol. It's as if we were replaying a story of the day. SO AMAZING! THANK YOU!!! We've shared the link with some of our guests and they are all raving about them as well! A thousand thanks, Sarah and Stephen
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.
