Judges Comments

This is a very natural unexpected photo. The child’s reaction is precious. Overall, the photo has nice symmetry and a clean background.

So cute. A great candid moment.

The composition is strong in this image and packed with information.  It tells a story and is designed very nicely.

Judges Comments

Well composed, and the quiet details (the iron, bags on the bed and table) add to the idea of preparation. But it's the bride's body language, her slight lean forward, that really captures a sense of anticipation.

This image reminds me of Alice in Wonderland. Nice moment.

Judges Comments

Great seeing here. It encapsulates the final "getting ready" moment. I love seeing an image that surprises me and makes me pause. The photographer did an excellent job of following the situation to its bitter end.

Simple, graphically compelling and mysterious. The hint of the bridal train disappearing suggests preparations have reached a conclusion and the bride is on her way to the ceremony ... or whatever other scenario the viewer might imagine - the photo gains much of its power from its ambiguity.

Judges Comments

Very sexy - very mysterious – very artistic.

Judges Comments

This image says wedding without us even seeing the bride. It tells a story about the process of brides getting ready and speaks to the lineage of women by including the little girl. The simplicity of the B&W also works well in this image.

Judges Comments

Any male who has suffered the agony and frustration of making a bow tie on a tuxedo fit into its rightful place will identify with this image. The resigned but optimistic look on the subject’s face and the uncluttered background makes this a winning photograph.

Judges Comments

The light in this image is beautiful, the composition is simple and clean, but the moment definitely makes it. I love the concentration in the little girl's face and the mimicking body language was captured perfectly.

Judges Comments

A perfect example of why the journalist’s approach to photographing a wedding works. The photographer has the access to be there and the ability to record a part of the day that the bride can remember (if she wants to) for years.

Judges Comments

This girl's face is pretty priceless. I wish the photographer had been able to take a small step to the left so we'd be able to get a little more of those rolled eyes, but overall the lines of big girls and little girls really works. It really captures the feeling of torture that some kids have to endure on wedding day.

Judges Comments

What a nice find! This is a gem.

Judges Comments

The balanced composition and clean background make this photo. The full frame shot tells the story without being intrusive.

Nice composition and use of color.  Lots of symbolism with the ring of men around the groom.  Nicely done.

Judges Comments

Body language. We are all collectors of how people relate to others—I know sometimes I take a mental picture of something as I view people and their body language. “Nice moment” This is a nice moment, coupled with being in the right place to obtain good composition, and I am so glad that her reflection is not in that cabinet door mirror.

Another great candid moment. And the light is beautiful.

Judges Comments

A good job of capturing the fleeting moment as the little girl tentatively navigates the stairs and the woman behind her rushes to ensure the girl's safety. The somewhat awkward crop of the woman actually adds to the tension, and her outstretched arm serves nicely to direct the viewer to the main subject.

Judges Comments

Just a nice part of the day and “Getting Ready”. This fellow’s cuffs are a little too long and he is running for something. It would be helpful to have a caption. Perhaps the mystery makes the picture. The action captured overrides that problem which no doubt helps the photograph.

Judges Comments

This is a funny picture. The photographer captured the seriousness of the hairdresser along with the humor of the moment. Nice soft natural light.

Photographer's Comment

I was taking photos for the preparation of the bride who had enjoyed herself in a swimming session in the sea, in front of the hotel where the wedding was organized. I was changing the camera objective when I saw one of the bride's friends trying to take a special photo with her wearing a slightly opened bathrobe. I didn't know when I took the second camera which had the objective on (I checked it to be on partial metering and centered on auto focus and I pressed the shutter button of my camera at the same time as the bride's friend). The swimming suit hung on the window handlebar bothered me at first, but then I realized that it was helpful in humorously completing the story. ,

Judges Comments

A great shot. The photographer was in a great position to get the bridal party in such unison.

Judges Comments

There's something odd - not disturbing but certainly a bit weird - about the bride cupping her breasts as a member of the clergy holds a mirror for her. Not your ordinary getting ready scene.

Judges Comments

There is always a handful of funny, strain-to-get-the-dress-on images in this category and this one feels a little different. Good, formal tight composition. I like the muted blue colors too.

Judges Comments

I wish there were more photos like this one. The street photo is very candid. Nice to see the photographer stand back and capture the scene.