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.

Wedding photography of real moments by Leah Moyers
United Kingdom wedding photography, engagement portraits and elopements by Jenny Rutterford
Engagement, Wedding and Elopement Photographer for New England, Andy Madea
Documentary wedding and elopement photography by Jamie Gillies
Annie Kheffache wedding photography
Katarina Nichol wedding and elopement photography
Mayenne elopement and documentary wedding photography by Anne Russocki of Isere Pays de la Loire France
Boston wedding and elopement photography by Kayla Rice of the Massachusetts FPJA
Adventure elopement and wedding photography by Mike Kory
Bordeaux, Gironde wedding photography by Pierre Cassagne
Lifestyle Portrait of Documentary Wedding Photographer Emily Fonseca, of Framed by Emily
Colorado wedding photography and CO couple engagement portraits by Joe Pyle
Kim Chapman, a talented wedding photographer offering her services in the beautiful city of Portland, Maine, United States
New York City and Queens wedding photography and elopement sessions by Natasha Singh

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

Lauren Lindley, of California, is a wedding photographer for
Jennifer Catron, of Virginia, 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.

At Osuri in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, the bride's exasperation is clear as she watches her groom rehearse his signature for the umpteenth time before they sign their ketubah on their wedding day.
At Savoie - Colonie de l'Espérance, the daughter of the bride and groom brings laughter as she plays the clown during the ceremony
At a private home in North Yorkshire, UK, a bride adds a touch of excitement to her wedding day by waving a smoke bomb out of the window of a vibrant red Corvette sports car, while her guests watch in awe.
Enroute to the ceremony in Worcestershire, West Midlands, a bride is admired by passers-by on the busy city sidewalk
Bride and groom enjoying a joyful moment together on the ski lift at Sunshine Ski Resort in Banff
In this candid wedding photo taken in Amsterdam, Noord Holland, the groom accidentally steps on the bride's dress as they make their way through a narrow doorway after the ceremony. A moment of lightheartedness amidst the joyous occasion.
Groom and his family at Oxford College, Oxford, UK, captured in a moment of preparation before the wedding ceremony
In Paris, the heartfelt speech by the groom's mother brings tears to the bride and groom's eyes during their wedding celebration

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.

At Uzbaş Arboretum in Urla, İzmir-Turkey, a black and white portrait captures the bride and groom facing each other before the after party at their wedding venue.
A captivating image at Tanzschule Potsdam. The photo showcases a poignant detail during a Jewish wedding signing, accentuated by the darkened room, participants adorned in black hats, their hands poised with a pen to sign.
A stunning wedding photo captured at Domaine de la Poudié, Tarn, France. The couple is elegantly framed through a chandelier on a balcony, creating a beautiful and intimate portrait.
Award-winning wedding portrait captures the romance as the bride and groom joyfully pose amidst a picturesque snowfall. The grandeur of Mellon Institute adds a timeless charm to the captivating black and white scene.
Award-winning wedding photographer captures the romance of the ceremony with a stunning, artistic image at a church in West Bend, Wisconsin. Reflective elements add depth and beauty to this captivating ceremony image.
Photograph of the wedding couple's first dance at Kohl Mansion in Burlingame, CA. The shot captures the mood with the colorful lighting illuminating the dance floor from above.
In Kerfany, Finistère, a wedding photographer captured this award-winning image of a couple joining hands on a cliff overhang. The dramatic Breton cloudy sky adds to the emotion of the scene.
An award-winning image captures the vibrant aftermath of a joyous celebration at Woolas Barn, as colorful confetti adorns the floor, alongside the elegant footwear and the bride's pristine white dress.

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 portrait of the couple, set against the night view of Beijing city, captures their love at China International Trade Phase 3 Hotel.
In the heart of São Paulo's historical downtown, a playful and quirky engagement portrait captures the couple's love in Anhangabau square.
The engagement portrait captures a romantic pose as the couple's silhouettes touch noses at sunset in Castello di Gorizia Village, Italy. A relaxed and picturesque setting.
Located in Porto Alegre RS, the Centro Cultural Usina do Gasômetro provides a stunning backdrop for this engagement portrait. The couple is captured enjoying a sweet pose by Guaíba Lake on a beautiful, hot day.
Quartier Latin engagement session in the lovers' district captures the couple's love amidst the charming streets and historic architecture of Paris.
In a moody and dramatic setting in Cappadocia, Turkey, the couple stands close together, bracing against dark clouds as they exude relaxed and romantic energy in their engagement portrait.
Embracing at Colorado College, this monochromatic portrait captures the couple huddled together as sunlight illuminates their faces, radiating a vintage vibe.
The couple embraces on La Roche d'Ajoux in Poules les Echarmaux, France, bathed in golden light, sharing a tender kiss that captures their love.

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 brothers' emotional speeches and hugs at the Lobster Factory ceremony in Tournai, Belgium were beautifully captured in the wedding photo
The emotion of the proud parents hugging their son, the groom, as he prepared for his wedding day at House of the Groom in Siderno, Reggio Calabria was so beautiful it was captured as a timeless moment by the photographer
The photographer at Ashton Creek Vineyard in Richmond, Virginia captured a beautiful moment of the bride and bridesmaids tearfully witnessing the groom's heartfelt vows
The photographer at the W Hotel in Chicago, IL captured a beautiful moment of the bride kissing her grandma right before walking down the aisle
The wedding photographer captured a timeless moment of love and joy as the bride's grandparents danced in an embrace at the Mountain Top Inn in Vermont
The wedding photojournalist at Fleurance, Gers, France captured a heartwarming moment of the groom embracing his daughter as he prepared for his big day
The wedding photojournalist captured a beautiful moment as the bride embraced her friends in a group hug at the reception of Hardy Farm in Fryeburg, Maine
The groom's touching encouragement of his witnesses to make a speech at his outdoor ceremony at Les tables de Crespin, the reception venue in Tarn, France, was captured beautifully in this wedding photo