ElopementLegendAwards
An awards program built for photographers who shoot elopements — real moments, wild places, no posing.
We judge the moment, not the setup.
Images are awarded for documentary storytelling, emotional impact, and personality. We want the viewer to feel like they know the couple — to feel the emotion and clearly identify their story.
Entries are anonymized before judging. No watermarks, logos, or identifying text in the frame. LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC+ photographers are welcome and encouraged.
Our judging criteriaFour rounds every year.
- Next round
- Round 1
- Status
- Open now
- Members
- Free entry
- Non-members
- $19 / 5 images
Read the full image eligibility rules before you upload — unposed, unretouched storytelling only.
Submit photos$100
/ year- Entry to all four rounds
- Profile in the member directory
- Editable portfolio & bio
- Monthly themed gallery entries
Membership for elopement photographers
You don't have to win a Legend Award to belong here. Membership gets you free entry to all four rounds, a listing on our site, and monthly feature opportunities.
Not ready to join? Enter a single round for $19 and see how it goes.
How we're different
Openly LGBTQIA + BIPOC celebrating
Every couple, every love story, judged on the same terms.
Unposed moments only
We award what actually happened, not what was directed.
You can't pay to enter more
Same image allowance for everyone, member or not.
We pay our judges
All full-time elopement photographers, compensated for their time.
Round 10 winners
View winning gallery
Know when submissions open.
Be first in line when the next round is announced.
Founded by a working elopement photographer.
Legend Awards exists because elopement work deserves its own standard — judged by people who understand small weddings, wild weather, and the kind of photographs that only happen once.
The program is built to recognize documentary craft, not volume or spend, and to help couples find photographers whose work already feels like them.
- 128+
- Member stories
- 2009
- Working photographer since
- 10
- Awards program rounds