1st place in Departure
The WPJA contest judges presented Hassel Weems, a Georgia, United States wedding photographer, with this Master Piece Award as recognition for top wedding photojournalism in the industry.
The leading documentary wedding photographers in the world enter their best photos to the Wedding Photojournalist Association's photography competitions. They want their wedding reportage photographs to be evaluated and selected by some of the most notable and respected working picture editors and photojournalists in the news industry (these are not wedding photographers or other WPJA members judging their work). Winning these competitions is a true accomplishment for a wedding photographer.
2008 Q4 Judges
Judges
- This image is almost like a painting. It's a night shot, hard to shoot. Nice balance of ambient light and flash which give it a realistic and natural feel. The blurred motion of the bride and her veil makes this photograph. The faintness of the white veil streaming across the picture add to the dreaminess of the image. The limo driver holding the umbrella adds to the content of bad weather. The misty night and the groom waiting with his head slightly down also add to the feel of the image.
- Love the blur of the bride. Really emphasizes her hurry to get on with the honeymoon. Beautiful, simple composition. The warm and cold colors really work.
The best and top wedding photographs from this category
WPJA contest judges have been recognized by their industry peers, winning top awards as staff picture editors, staff photojournalists, and newsroom mentors while working for these and other leading publications and journalism organizations.
Wedding photographer Hassel Weems, was awarded 1st place for photo 98871 in the Departure category for the WPJA's 2008 Q4.