2009 BRIDES Magazine Photo Contest
Toasting
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1st Place: Justin Runquist from Illinois, United StatesJudges Comments
When a picture of the bride as an awkward teen was projected on the wall, Runquist caught her reaction, a mix of humor and horror. Peak emotion jumps from the photo. I would love to know what toast was made that caused this intense reaction.
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2nd Place: Kirsten Shultz from Idaho, United StatesJudges Comments
We love that the focus is on the bride while her groom hugs her and a member of the bridal party speaks in the background. Even though you can’t see her face, you get a sense of her beauty and how much her husband cares about her.
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Judges Comments
Toasting can be a very emotional time during a wedding and it seems this photo depicts just that—happiness and tears in a single moment.
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4th Place: Chris Humphreys from Colorado, United StatesJudges Comments
Both the man making the toast and the bride are cracking up and having a great time. The viewer can feel the energy and fun.
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5th Place: Adam Trzcionka from Krakow, PolandJudges Comments
No rice in the glass for this groom! The photographer has captured the surprised reaction from the couple. They are laughing and wincing simultaneously. Expressions are important. No more so than in this wonderful photo. The laugh and smirk are unique to this photo and truly show off the personalities of the bride and groom. What is he protecting his drink from? Whatever it was it made for an great photograph.
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Judges Comments
The photographer has chosen to shoot the bride on her own during a toast. Even though she is covering her smile with her hand, her eyes reveal joy. A photograph that is so simple, but it says so much about the personality of the bride. Having her framed on the left side of the photo with her eyes gazing off the photo gives the photo a little bit of mystery.
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7th Place: Edwin Tan from Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaJudges Comments
We love how the people in the foreground frame this man’s amazing reaction. The framing of the main subject by dark objects in the foreground really creates even more intensity in his personality during a toast. A great photo artfully done.
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8th Place: Federico Fasano from Milan, ItalyJudges Comments
This is such a fun and creative way to do a toast! Who needs to drink their own glass or even twist arms with just one other person when you can do it with a large group? It works especially well because the photographer chose to shoot this scene from above. Effective angle and sense of warm camaraderie make this a pleasing photograph. Cropping the distracting element on the left would strengthen it. Getting up high and close brings an intimacy to this photograph, as if the viewer is part of the entangled arms as well.
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9th Place: Jonathan Hanson from Maryland, United StatesJudges Comments
The orange-yellow background is so saturated that you can’t help but compare it to a sunset. This bright contrast with the man’s dark suit makes for an almost silhouette effect. This is a heartbreakingly tender moment. Quiet and poignant, yet it speaks volumes.
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10th Place: Brendan Kelly from Cambridgeshire, EnglandJudges Comments
The guests are lifting their glasses as the couple shares a kiss. They stand out as the focal point of both the photo and the event. Sense of movement provides an ethereal quality to this beautiful image. Reminiscent of Camelot and the Kennedy era, the essence of this timeless photo is beautifully captured in a slightly soft image that further enhances the dream-like aspect of the moment.
