FIVE more International Wedding Photography Awards
HOLY SHIT… Apologies, thats the first time in 15 years that I have sworn on my blog.
I HAVE JUST WON 5 INTERNATIONAL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS in just one contest. Thats unparalleled these days as there are so many more members. To win five in Q1 of these awards was beyond my wildest expectations.
Thousands of photographs entered and on a small percentage of those gain an award from the judges. As I have mentioned before on this blog, the main reason I am a member of the WPJA is that the judges are not wedding photographers and so they are assessing the photographs on merit and not because they recognise the photographer.
This Q1 contest was delayed for obvious reasons as very few weddings took place. I submitted images from 3 weddings, but because of the nature of these weddings I still submitted my maximum number of 10 entries. Images from my weddings this year during COVID19 restrictions have been some of the most powerful images I have taken. They literally are timeless. In 20-30 years time these images will always be 2020. Couples getting married during these unprecedented times are receiving images that, to me anyway, will resonate for years to come and provide them with happy memories in a year that is not providing many good ones at all.
So 50% of my images gained an award, again another first for me.
One image in particular some people, and probably a lot of photographers will look at and say “why this one?”. The image of the lady in a mask in the synagogue is the reason I belong to this organisation. It has elements of dynamic symmetry that I am looking for in wedding photographs that help make an ordinary image into a really interesting one. When there are not amazing moments to capture then I look for elements in the picture that will create a much more interesting image to look at. In this case the use of the yellow tape, the pews and the grooms father all help to lead into the lady in the mask.
Whilst this year has been one of complete devastation for my industry, with most if not all of my 2020 wedding postponing until next year at least this mornings news reaffirms that the wedding photographs I am taking this year are still being recognised as some of the best around.
Thank you to all my clients who have had their weddings this year. I know it’s been tough for them and I hope that next year provides us all with some hope for the future.
