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
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 happiness and closeness of your symbolic, modern, romantic, or at-home wedding.
By planning a simple Virginia elopement, couples are able to stay present in the moment and fully absorb the impact of their wedding day. With many couples feeling more comfortable and relaxed in intimate settings, it is not surprising that some of the most sincere and touching wedding photos are captured at smaller celebrations.
The WPJA has an abundance of top-ranked, Virginia documentary wedding photographers available right now who understand that some weddings 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 micro, civil ceremony, courthouse, or any other type of 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
31 Virginia Wedding Photographers...
Xiaoqi Li is a San Francisco-based wedding photographer, holding a photography degree and with years of experience. She specializes in capturing authentic moments to beautifully document her clients' wedding day memories.
0 (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)
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.
2500 (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)
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...
4250 (USD)
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...
4250 (USD)
As a documentary wedding photographer, Lauren Barkume possesses a deep love for nature and travel, which seamlessly blend into her photographs. She believes in capturing the authentic narrative of couples, empowering them to embrace their true selves.
4990 (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)
Wes Shinn, a seasoned wedding photojournalist with a decade of experience as a military photojournalist, expertly captures the essence and emotions of your wedding day, creating unforgettable 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)
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)
Neil Thurston is a wedding photojournalist who specializes in capturing the raw, candid moments of a couple's big day. With a background in action sports photography and extensive international experience, Neil has honed his journalistic style to create unique and...
Neil Thurston
Nags Head in North Carolina, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.3600 (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)
In a journalistic style, Natasha Lamalle is known as a visual storyteller who excels at capturing the authentic and often fleeting moments of love. With fifteen years of experience as a journalist, her trained eye and subtle approach to photography have made her one of the...
Natasha Lamalle
Washington DC in District Of Columbia, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.3950 (USD)
Michael Freas is a photojournalistic wedding photographer. He puts the focus on your unique relationship, honoring all of those present. His commitment to stress-free joy, allowing couples to celebrate to the fullest, has made him one of the most reputable wedding...
Michael Freas
Asheville in North Carolina, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.3800 (USD)
Kenneth Clapp takes a documentary approach to wedding photography, focusing on storytelling through his visuals. With a keen eye for capturing emotions and moments, he crafts stunning images that truly reflect the essence of the couple's big day.
Kenneth Clapp
Baltimore in Maryland, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.3000 (USD)
Christine Hochkeppel, a seasoned New England wedding photojournalist, has a decade of experience capturing weddings and has contributed to renowned publications like Worcester Telegram & Gazette, Cape Cod Times, and the Boston Globe.
Christine Hochkeppel
Osterville in Massachusetts, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.3675 (USD)
As a skilled wedding photojournalist, Song Johns, the creative genius behind Blooming Dreams Photo, specializes in capturing the intimate and authentic moments of couples and families.
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)
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)
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)
In a journalistic style, Anji Martin, a visual storyteller, has been capturing moments with her 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)
With a documentary approach and a passion for storytelling, Ryan Rayburn captures the moments and emotions of couples' weddings. Drawing on his nine years of experience as a photographer in newspapers, he applies his visual storytelling skills to create a comprehensive...
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)
Susannah Stevens, a D.C. native with an MA in multimedia journalism, specializes in intimate weddings, micro-weddings, and elopements. She offers short-notice availability, prioritizing meaningful moments, and employs an open and collaborative approach for documentary-style...
Susannah Stevens
Washington DC in District Of Columbia, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.1100 (USD)
Aira Hickman, a Maryland family and wedding photographer, captures clients' essence with an organic approach. Passionate since picking up her first camera, she focuses on authenticity, aiming to make clients feel confident and deeply loved.
Aira Hickman
Gambrills in Maryland, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.999 (USD)
Brian Mullins is a renowned Raleigh wedding photojournalist known for his unique visual arts experience and ability to capture intimate moments that evoke deep emotions.
Brian Mullins
Apex in North Carolina, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.3499 (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)
Tom Waldenberg, a documentary wedding photographer hailing from the Eastern U.S., combines his artistic flair and passion for storytelling to immortalize the genuine emotions of wedding couples.
Tom Waldenberg
Raleigh in North Carolina, US *Now booking Virginia weddings.3000 (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.
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Searches Related to Virginia Wedding Photography Vendors
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How can couples find top-ranked Virginia wedding photographers?
A: The WPJA created the original wedding photographer ranking systems. Our innovative system is based on contest winning points, meaning that the Virginia 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: Who are the best Virginia wedding photographers for small elopements?
A: The WPJA is proud to have some of the top Virginia 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 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.
WPJA Communiqué: Featured Wedding Photography Articles
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...Read more
We all know that the economy can go through some hard times, and be somewhat reminiscent of past recessions. However, as people cut back on non-essential little luxuries here and there, one constant remains: weddings. People don’t tend to just stop getting married due to a...Read more
RAVES, REVIEWS, AND Virginia WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER RECOMMENDATIONS
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
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.
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!
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.
