Judges Comments

This picture immediately rose to the top of the creative portrait category for me. I love how the photographer captured aspects of the bride and groom’s personalities and togetherness without faces or touching one another, but rather through their intimate sharing of space and their clear comfort and freedom with one another.

Judges Comments

Loved this portrait! A little mix of Diane Arbus and Eugene Richards with a little Arthur Tress thrown in there. The most unusual and striking of all the portraits and one of the few that stands as a truly interesting image outside of the realm of wedding photography.

Judges Comments

Simple picture but the light made it special as a cinematographic image.

Judges Comments

I love the idea of a portrait with a purpose.

Judges Comments

The personality of the couple really comes through in this frame, and the vintage scooter really adds some character.

Judges Comments

I am a sucker for the simple strong image. Such a wonderful and comfortable expression on her face. You really feel the connection between these two people and for a portrait of this kind, you couldn't ask for anything more!

Judges Comments

This is not a bride and groom you get everyday! This is very fun, and gutsy! Way to nail it on the one chance you had. The energy of the crowd really adds to this photo as well.

Judges Comments

The angle was very well chosen. Also, a very cinematographic image. Another one of my favorites.

This picture shows great initiative by the photographer to frame this up and be shooting from so far away. The streetlight at the bottom of the frame is a distraction but the overall scene still comes together.

Judges Comments

Very interesting and playful portrait. Loved that the photographer is thinking outside the box. Very graphic and visually interesting while at the same time being thought provoking and funny. Hope they had as much fun being photographed as the photographer did making the image!

Judges Comments

One of my favorites, very well composed and the moment with her looking to him makes the picture very special. I saw the use of mirrors to make pictures several times among the images submitted, but I think this is one of the photographers who really did it. The use of a mirror with a great result.

Judges Comments

A very nice portrait capturing the essence of the couple’s togetherness while the rest of the world moves around them. Cliché when put into words but it makes for a lovely picture.

Judges Comments

Another very creative way to do what I think is a very tough assignment. I'm sure the couple will always look back at that picture and say, "Remember that night in the parking lot with that photographer? That was so much fun!" It is also a creative photo that doesn't feel cheesy or gimicky.

Judges Comments

I like the metaphor of jumping for joy that I got out of this frame. Glad to see a celebratory bit of exuberance come through in style and really highlight the personalities of the couple.

Judges Comments

Very good light and composition. Another of my favorite pictures.

Judges Comments

There were perhaps other more "creative" photos than this one that showed how much the photographer was thinking and working it but as far as a portrait that the subjects will cherish and love, it doesn't get any better than this. It is a very simple and clean photo and the subjects look completely comfortable and their embrace is sincere. Wonderful light and a great job scouting this location make this a photo that is really worthy of the large check I am sure they had to make out for "wedding photography"! In this business, I'm sure it is great to win awards from your peers, but when it comes right down to it, your clients are the ones who really matter and here you have done them a great service. Excellent work!

Judges Comments

The gorgeous backdrop and the whimsical addition of the umbrella help make this photo feel like it's straight out of a fairy tale. I love that the photographer took a few steps back to take in the whole scene, because I really think the setting has a character all its own here.