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San Francisco Wedding Photographers

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San Francisco Wedding Photographers

Our San Francisco photographers also provide documentary-style coverage in: Oakland, Fremont, Santa Rosa, Hayward, Sunnyvale, Concord, Santa Clara, Vallejo

San Francisco Wedding Photography, Engagement Photo Sessions + Elopements

Intimate Wedding Photography in San Francisco - Capturing the Joy of Small Celebrations - Discover the best San Francisco 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 Francisco 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 Francisco documentary wedding photographers available right now who understand that some weddings and elopements can’t wait. Find yours today!
Recent WPJA WedElope Story Awards
A small elopement ceremony was held outdoors on private property, with a chuppah embraced by a tree, captured in a wide angle shot
Erica Dietz
The couple, joined by a small gathering of their closest family and friends, celebrated their union as they stood hand in hand in front of a beautiful arch of flowers, surrounded by sunshine and a glimmering pool
Tyler Vu
The rough going through the forest proved to be a tough challenge for the couple, with the bride finding it especially difficult in her high heels; but they persisted, and eventually made it back to their car
Caroline Elenbaas

San Francisco Photographers for Large or Small Weddings

Shooting an elopement or small San Francisco 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 - Northern WPJA members are ready to document any civil ceremony, courthouse, town 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.

24 San Francisco Wedding Photographers...

Map of Wedding Photojournalists Serving San Francisco Couples

San Francisco Wedding Elopement Photography - WedElope

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

San Francisco Wedding, Elopement and Engagement Images by WPJA Photographers

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

Newlyweds sharing a kiss under the Palace of Fine Arts dome entrance in San Francisco, CA. Photograph captures the intimate exchange with a low camera angle, blue sky, and a romantic touch of wind.
Captured in San Francisco, a couple lovingly embraces on a city street in a black and white urban shot, with a garage door framing their romantic hug.
In the bustling city of San Francisco, a couple shares a romantic kiss in the tranquil city park, illuminated by the golden urban sunlight.
Captured in San Francisco, CA, this engagement portrait features a couple sharing a sweet kiss under an umbrella by the pier, amidst a rainy day with men fishing nearby.
A romantic engagement portrait of a couple in San Francisco, CA, captured in the soft pastel light of the afternoon sun.
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.
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.
Wedding day shot at a Private Home in San Francisco, CA: the groom assisting the bride's father in getting ready, with the background wall pictures featuring the father, a photographer.
A beautiful bride surrounded by her bridesmaids in a room, having her final details attended to before her wedding day at Flood Mansion in San Francisco, California.
A creative portrait captured by a Northern California wedding photographer, showing a groom leading his bride-to-be up a sandy embankment at a beach in San Francisco.
Portrait of a couple captured by a North California wedding photographer in San Francisco. The image shows the couple enjoying a tranquil session at their favorite cafe, sitting indoors at a table by a window.
A pre-wedding engagement portrait captures a couple in San Francisco, Northern California, embracing against the backdrop of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. The image also features wind-swept flat ocean waters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can couples find top-ranked San Francisco 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 Francisco 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: Where can I find a photographer for a short-notice, small San Francisco 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 Francisco wedding day by.
Q: How can couples find reviews of San Francisco wedding photographers?
A: We call them Client Letters. At the WPJA, we decided more than 20 years ago to avoid incorporating those third-person testimonials and endorsements that are found all too often in advertisements. Instead, we elevated our listings with the use of Client Letters, which represent the actual words and feelings of the clients who booked those San Francisco wedding photographers for their own wedding.
WPJA Communiqué: Featured Wedding Photography Articles
An Unforgettable Romance: The Intimacy of an Elopement
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...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
Jola Mulder, of Overijssel, is a wedding photographer for
Bringing it Home: The Joys of a Backyard Wedding
Oftentimes when people are considering a venue for their weddings, they search for a location away from home, whether that be ten minutes or ten hours, all just to find what they already have: a place that holds meaning for them, that feels comfortable, or that they 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 San Francisco WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER RECOMMENDATIONS

Hong Kong East Ocean wedding in Emeryville, CA. Chinese wedding photojournalism Drew Bird

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!

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Whitney & Terry

Photo by Dennis Viera

Using you guys was one of the best decisions we made for our wedding. From our first conversation, we could tell you were friendly, easygoing people who just like to take great pictures and make your clients happy. You took the time getting to know us and our relationship so you could give us exactly what we wanted. On our wedding day you were flexible, fun, and extremely easy to work with; not that we ever had any doubts, but the pictures came out ABSOLUTELY PERFECT. We were thrilled with all the pictures...and happy to have two new friends. We love you and recommend you wholeheartedly!!!

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Charmaine & Jim

Photo by Tanarak Visessonchoke

Thank you my dream photographer Tanarak! and your team for capturing our dream wedding on one of the happiest days of our lives It is even more perfect and more beautiful than we've ever imagined!

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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.