I’ve been at the photography game a long time, and I have won enough awards over the years that I thought I was over the rush of awards. The Wedding Photojournalists Association ( WPJA) – a group I am a member of – has 4 contests a year, drawing judges from some mighty lofty places – often pulitzer prize winning photographers, some of the best shooters in the world.
Joining WPJA isn’t as easy as sending in your check – they have a selection process that is rigerous enough that when selected a person knows they’ve been invited into a prestigious group.
So when the email came that the results were in from the 3rd quarter contest, I linked over to see what I have come to know are some incredible photographs. As I skipped around through categories looking at the photos, I couldn’t believe my eyes – in the reception category a photo of mine was first!
It’s from Erica and Jeremy’s wedding and I’ve included some others from that day to share.
If you want to see all the contest results, go to http://www.wpja.com. The contest results are on the front page.
[caption id="attachment_110" align="aligncenter" width="720" caption="This is the first place winning image. Erica gets money from a drive up ATM and Jeremy keeps working on his cigar as the couple takes a quick break from the reception. "]
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[caption id="attachment_112" align="aligncenter" width="850" caption="Erica waits in a backroom of the church before the ceremony."]
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[caption id="attachment_113" align="aligncenter" width="850" caption="The ceremony was in an ancient church in Dover, NH."]
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[caption id="attachment_114" align="aligncenter" width="850" caption="Erica and Jeremy do their best Bonnie and Clyde imitation during a photo session in between the ceremony and reception."]
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[caption id="attachment_115" align="aligncenter" width="850" caption="The light was perfect for shooting photos of the couple."]
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[caption id="attachment_116" align="aligncenter" width="850" caption="Silhouettes usually aren't my style of photography but the setting sun and being on top of a fire tower were too much to resist."]
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[caption id="attachment_117" align="aligncenter" width="850" caption="A portrait on the stairs of the fire tower."]
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[caption id="attachment_118" align="aligncenter" width="850" caption="The first dance - slow shutter speed, pop of flash at the end of a half second exposure and there's the first dance photo."]
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