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San Diego Wedding Photographers

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San Diego Wedding Photographers

Our San Diego photographers also provide documentary-style coverage in: Chula Vista, Oceanside, Escondido, Carlsbad, El Cajon, Vista, San Marcos, Encinitas, National City, La Mesa

San Diego Wedding Photography, Engagement Photo Sessions + Elopements

Intimate Wedding Photography in San Diego - Capturing the Joy of Small Celebrations - Discover the best San Diego 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 San Diego 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, San Diego 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 happy couple is having an elopement ceremony on the beach, with the bride's three boys playing in the sand
Simi Rabinowitz
The tender moment between mother, bride, and son, captured in time as the bride arrives at the wedding ceremony with a beaming smile, will be cherished forever
Nathan Walker
The military couple had a small wedding at a church, and made a grand exit under swords held by the honor guard
Eduardo Blanco

San Diego Photographers for Large or Small Weddings

Shooting an elopement or small San Diego 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.

California - Southern WPJA members are ready to document any pop-up, mini, quick, 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 San Diego Wedding Venues

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8 San Diego Wedding Photographers...

Shaun Baker - Wedding Photographer and Couple Portrait Professional

USA-based wedding photojournalist and engagement portrait photographer, Shaun Baker, turned to photography after graduating college. With a background in video, he captured his first wedding in 2009, specializing in artistic wedding portraits.

Shaun Baker

San Diego in California, US
92
11
2900 (USD)
California wedding photography by Brett Butterstein

Brett Butterstein is a wedding photographer based in Southern California. His background in photojournalism and experience from five years of newspaper photography makes him the perfect choice for capturing the true beauty and emotion of a wedding.

Brett Butterstein

Encinitas in California, US *Now booking San Diego weddings.
163
3500 (USD)
Destination weddings and elopement photography by Dennis Mock

Dennis Mock is an accomplished photographer specializing in documentary wedding photography. With a strong background in sports and architectural photography, he has honed his skills in capturing genuine and captivating moments.

Dennis Mock

San Diego in California, US
450/hour (USD)
Lifestyle portrait of Brittany Bender, a San Diego wedding photographer - Southern California WPJA

San Diego wedding photojournalist, Brittany Bender, skillfully captures candid and emotional moments with her talent for storytelling and artistic portrayal.

Brittany Bender

San Diego in California, US
3000 (USD)
California wedding and elopement photographer Annie Bang

California wedding photojournalist and creative engagement portrait photographer Annie Bang is a former journalist and Associated Press reporter. With a focus on capturing real moments and emotions, she uses documentary and photojournalistic photography to create timeless...

Annie Bang

Los Angeles in California, US *Now booking San Diego weddings.
162
13
2500 (USD)
Engagement Photo Shoots and wedding photography by Darren Hendry

Darren Hendry, a non-traditional and offbeat wedding photographer, specializes in natural, emotive, creative, and honest storytelling. With a background in architecture and a passion for photography, he has been capturing unique wedding stories for almost 7 years.

Darren Hendry

Pasadena in California, US *Now booking San Diego weddings.
21
3
78
2500 (USD)
California wedding photography by Jonathan Young

Jonathan Young is a California coast wedding photographer, with 20 years of experience, a photojournalist background, and an eye for detail. He captures the joy and emotion of each unique wedding day.

Jonathan Young

Palos Verdes Estates in California, US *Now booking San Diego weddings.
2
5500 (USD)
Southern California wedding photography and engagement portraits by Attila Iuhasz

Attila Iuhasz is a Southern California wedding photojournalist and engagement portrait photographer with a passion for capturing candid moments. With a background in Management and Marketing, Attila is an adaptable and open-minded professional, constantly improving his...

Attila Iuhasz

Los Angeles in California, US *Now booking San Diego weddings.
3
2400 (USD)

Map of Wedding Photojournalists Serving San Diego Couples

San Diego Wedding Elopement Photography - WedElope

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

San Diego Wedding, Elopement and Engagement Images by WPJA Photographers

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

A bride reads her vows while getting ready at Britt Scripps Manor in San Diego, Southern California, with her hairstylist seen in the reflection of oval mirrors on the table.
The bride receives a thoughtful foot cleaning from a friend in the bathroom sink at Scripps Seaside Forum in San Diego, California - Image captured by a CA wedding photojournalist.
A little girl and bridesmaids stand inside the Immaculata Catholic Church at the University of San Diego, getting ready for the church ceremony
The nervous bride bonds with her mother and sister in a beautiful moment at the Green Gables Wedding Estate in San Marcos, CA
Newlyweds steal a kiss during an outdoor ceremony at the Green Gables Wedding Estate in San Marcos, CA, with their son stealing the show by standing between them
At Old Poway Park in San Diego, CA, the flower girls and ring bearers delightfully surprise the bride by showering her with a cascade of bubbles
At the Bali Hai Restaurant in San Diego, CA, the wedding guests celebrated with singing karaoke during the reception
The bride and groom and their guests celebrated the special day with singing and dancing on the dance floor of the InterContinental Hotel, San Diego, CA
At Marina Village in San Diego, California, two precious flower girls spun in their lovely dresses
A joyous wedding image was captured at Humphreys Half Moon Inn in San Diego, CA, where the bride can be seen lovingly removing her lipstick from her mother's cheek after a sweet kiss
At the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Escondido, CA, the brides nephew looks at the brides bouquet of flowers
At a Private residence in Escondido, CA, the groom helps the bride take off her boots after the wedding ceremony

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can couples find top-ranked San Diego wedding photographers?
A: The WPJA created the original wedding photographer ranking systems. Our innovative system is based on contest winning points, meaning that the San Diego 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 San Diego wedding photographers for small elopements?
A: The WPJA is proud to have some of the top San Diego 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: Where can I find a photographer for a short-notice, small San Diego 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 San Diego wedding day by.
WPJA Communiqué: Featured Wedding Photography Articles
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
Smaller Weddings in a Time of Social Distancing
It’s no secret that these are strange times we’re going through right now, and there are many couples out there with weddings set in the near future who are left feeling uncertain and concerned about their futures. While that’s understandable, it’s also important to...Read more
Essential Elopement Vendor - The Photographer
So your wedding is just around the corner and you’ve decided to elope , either because you want to do this on a budget , avoid a large wedding party, or simply to enjoy the day together with minimal distractions and as little stress as possible . They say 'all you need is...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

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.