SMALL WEDDINGS + ELOPEMENTS | choose love, not fear

Intimate Weddings & Elopement Photography

Since 2002, the WPJA has been connecting couples with the best, most artistic wedding photographers from around the world.

Bangor, Maine wedding photography by Hailey Crabtree
Engagement shoots + wedding photography and elopements by Luan Nguyen of France
Documentary wedding photography by Rebecca Aranda
Southern California wedding photography and engagement portraits by Attila Iuhasz
Chartres Wedding Photography by Arnaud Delaunay of Eure-et-Loir, Centre-Val de Loire, France
Wenjie Han is an engagement and wedding photographer for NY
Metz wedding photography by Jonathan Fortuna of Grand Est, Moselle
Studio portrait of wedding photographer Sierra Dawn
Documentary Wedding Photography by Niaz Maleknia
Timmy Keane Wedding Photography of Timtim Media Weddings
Rhode Island and Providence wedding and elopement photography by Kathryn Yeaton
Engagement couple portraits and elopement photography by Brenda Bravo - Bravo Image
Portrait of Wedding Photographer David Butler II
Couple engagement portrait sessions + wedding and elopement photography by Xiang Qi of Jian Impression
Samuel Berthelot - Jolie Histoire Photographie

Authentic Photography

The WPJA organizes various wedding photography rounds annually, recognizing and honoring exceptionally captivating images.

Take a look at the previous victors by clicking on the links below:

Intimate, Micro Wedding Planning & Elopement Articles

Kobe Vanderzande, of Limburg, is a wedding photographer for

There’s nothing quite like an intimate wedding reception in a tent, with its uniquely informal atmosphere, customized decor and proximity to the elements...

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...

The Authenticity of
Wedding Photojournalism

Jody Priour, of Calvados (14) , is a wedding photographer for
Nathalie Moors, of Antwerpen, is a wedding photographer for
Jesse La Plante, of Colorado, is a wedding photographer for

WPJA Contest Photos - January 19th, 2024

Any wedding photographer is going to want to please their clients — but they also want their work to be appreciated on a broader scale. This is one of the reasons why the Wedding Photojournalist Association members love our regular photography competitions. These popular contests give our photographers the opportunity to submit their best images in hopes of being selected as a winner and being recognized for their creativity and effort. Our contests are judged by a panel of notable and respected working photojournalists and picture editors in the news industry, which adds an element of prestige to our awards.

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.
Downtown Pittsburgh, PA: Local woman assists bride by brushing off invasive species lanternfly from her gown as she heads to her wedding ceremony with her maids
At Westin Kierland Resort, a beautiful outdoor wedding ceremony takes place as the bride shares a heartwarming kiss with her husband. Surrounded by joyful guests, the couple embraces tightly under the warm sunshine.
In Worms, Rheinland-Pfalz, a young girl joyfully exits the church, tossing flower petals from a basket. This candid moment captures the pure happiness of a wedding day.
Pro documentary wedding photographer captured a moment of guests delighting in the food at the Orangerie des Demoiselles. The image received an award from the WPJA.
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes bride bursts into laughter next to the groom during outdoor ceremony
Amsterdam Noord Holland wedding picture: Guests at the party venue show their love for the couple, serenading them on the dance floor under vibrant purple lighting, each holding a sheet of paper with the lyrics to sing along.
At the end of the wedding in Metz, the happy couple announces the bride's pregnancy to their guests with an outdoor celebration on the grass. Love and joy fill the air as they share this exciting news with their loved ones.

Artistic Guild - Creative Portraits and Details - January 31st, 2024

The Artistic Guild competitions are distinctly different from our other WPJA contests because this category is specifically for photographers who use their talent to create digitally-enhanced images, staged portraits and dramatic detail images. This competition attracts documentary wedding photographers who also view themselves as artists who are constantly looking to create their next masterpiece.

Award-winning wedding photographer captures a romantic encounter at Domaine de Larchey, Gironde. The couple stands together, their faces inches apart, creating a stunning and heartfelt portrait.
Amidst the intermittent downpours at The Mountain Terrace in Woodside, CA, this award-winning wedding photographer skillfully framed a stunning image, showcasing the unique charm of a rainy ceremony.
A serene moment amidst the festivities, guests gather outside El Peregrino Restaurant in Navarre, Spain, exchanging conversations and enjoying a smoke break during a pause in the dance. This striking black and white scene sets the ambiance.
This award-winning photo captures the wedding dinner at Villa Catignano in Siena. The deep blue sky and string lights create a dramatic atmosphere, making it a truly artistic wedding image.
Award-winning wedding portrait taken at Norton Museum of Art, West Palm Beach, FL. Bride and groom gracefully pose in front of a massive, unique vintage typewriter eraser installation.
During the enchanting Haldi ceremony at Enchantment Resort in Sedona, AZ, this award-winning pic captures the bride as turmeric is delicately applied to her face by a woman's hand.
This award-winning portrait showcases the modern beauty of a couple walking near a tranquil pond at New Haven's Tourterelle Inn, with the stunning Adirondack Mountains as a backdrop.
Captured at the stunning Malcom hotel in Canmore, Canada, this award-winning photo showcases the romance of a couple's wedding day against a breathtaking backdrop of majestic mountains through the hotel's magnificent windows.

Diamond Awards - Pre-Wedding Engagement Portraits - April 8th, 2024

Couples who are searching for a wedding photographer often want a pre-wedding engagement portrait session as well as wedding day photography services. Engagement photographers need to rely on their skill and expertise in order to help their couples select a meaningful location for their portrait session. These awards allow engagement photographers to submit their most moving engagement images in hopes of being recognized for their creativity and skill.

A romantic shot capturing a couple's tender embrace in the empty Stade des Alpes in Grenoble, France, symbolizing their strong bond and love.
A tender session captured in black and white at Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, where a man lovingly kisses his fiancé, sitting close and cozy. Vintage vibes are exuded from this monochromatic portrait.
A romantic silhouette of a couple with trees against a beautiful sunset sky at Colorado College in Colorado Springs, capturing their love in an artistic way.
In Tarvisio, Udine, Italy, a couple shares a kiss bathed in fantastic light. The off-center, minimalistic shot captures their intimacy against a dark background in a romantic portrait session.
Captured during an engagement session in Perros-Guirec, this portrait features a couple bathed in sun-drenched tones.
A pre-wedding portrait of a couple taken at La Alhambra in Granada, Spain, features a black background and soft lighting highlighting their faces, creating a vintage monochromatic look.
A beautiful autumnal engagement shoot set in the enchanting setting of Chopwell Woods, Newcastle upon Tyne. The couple shares a sweet kiss under a clear umbrella amidst the forest scenery.
In a monochromatic portrait session in Rosemary Beach, Florida, the bride proudly displays her new engagement ring, evoking a vintage feel.

TLC - True Love Captured - March 3rd, 2023

This WPJA photography competition is focused on the emotions that are on display throughout any wedding event. The images showcase the powerful emotions that the couple are experiencing, and any of the feelings that any wedding guests may go through. The TLC contests follow a long-standing WPJA category tradition of capturing raw emotions.

The photographer captured the beautiful moment of a wedding guest giving the bride a big hug and a kiss on the cheek at the Private Home in Congham, Norfolk, UK
The photographer captured a beautiful moment at Montlouis sur Loire, as the two mothers of the couple tearfully embraced outdoors
The photographer captured a beautiful moment of the bride embracing one of her great friends during the getting ready process at Cote How, The Lake District
The tender loving moment of the bride caressing her groom's face during their wedding ceremony at Duino, Trieste, Italy was captured perfectly in the wedding photo
The photographer captured a beautiful moment of double happiness, with the bride giving a sweet touch on the cheek and a loving hug from behind at Strabrechtse Hoeve Mierlo
The bride's beautiful reaction to seeing her special best man seated in the front row was captured by the photographer at Chácara Caiambá - Pedro Leopoldo - Minas Gerais
The happy couple leaving their civil ceremony in Biarritz, France with their little boy beaming with joy at his parents' marriage, is captured wonderfully in this wedding photo, showing the love from his mother
The beautiful moment of a bride wiping away her mother's tears of joy at Help Beach, Fethiye, Mugla was captured by the wedding photographer