Judges Comments

This was definitely one of the most creative photos in the category. The composition and color are very effective, but the fun concept and moment made it rise to the top.

Not sure what the metaphor is here, but I love the sense of humor. The picture's clean, light, fun, energetic.

This is very 'Mary Poppins' only reversed.

Although contrived, you pulled it off well. Good work.

Judges Comments

Taking advantage of this lit tree was a great call and the couple’s placement creates a prize-winning composition. The thing that really makes the picture sing is the portable light positioned behind the couple which lights the groom’s face and the bride’s gown. I’ll bet without that light the couple would have sunk into the background. –Good thinking.

What a magical creative photo this is. Well done!

Beautiful sense of light. Nicely composed.

Judges Comments

Of course not every photographer has the advantage of a location like this and the bride is going to regret ever listening to the photographer when her bridal gown is covered with burrs, but it is a winner. The flair actually adds to the photograph. The couple not looking at the camera adds to the photograph. Let me tell a not so brief story that was a favorite of Chairman Wilbur Mills, (the older readers will remember Wilbur Mills/Fanny Fox news story). Mills was running for re-election in Arkansas and his opponent’s campaign picture showed the opponent walking across a cattle pasture and looking confidently up at the sky (the campaign line was, “the candidate for the future). Mills countered the ad by saying, “Show me a man who walks through a cow pasture without looking down (to avoid the cow manure) and I’ll show you a fool.” Arkansas is a farm state and Wilbur Mills won the election.

Judges Comments

Nice layering work.  Strong composition while capturing a moment.

Judges Comments

This portrait captures the essence of the bride and groom's character. The split scene is simple, yet shows style.

Judges Comments

This is a beautiful use of light and color. The photo captures the sophistication and attractiveness of the bride.

Judges Comments

Again, originality was key to the top images in this category. The bride is not the most convincing sharpshooter, but a trooper for participating. Made me laugh out loud.

Judges Comments

Perhaps a bit of self-deprecating humor here in depicting the child as photographer, but the scene works in contrasting the elegant bride with the worn surroundings.

Judges Comments

This is such a unique and tranquil portrait. It looks like a scene from a movie. It is well composed and nicely cropped.

Judges Comments

For sure, this maze has been used for hundreds of wedding party portraits, but playing the maze with the “lost” members of the wedding party was clever. I’m sure that the idea has been done a few times in the past, but it is a good photograph.

Judges Comments

Well thought out photo.

Nice work.  Technically very strong.

Judges Comments

This is simply lovely in its sensuality and tonality, capturing romance in the faces of the bride and groom, the flowing veil and grasses.

Judges Comments

I love the body language of the three men on the left side of the frame. They provide a great contrast to the kissing couple. The clean loose background is effective too.

Judges Comments

A fun way to do a portrait of the wedding couple and the wedding party.

Judges Comments

Fantastic use of light, so graphic.

Judges Comments

Very nice color due to the time of day this photograph was made. I like how just the edge of the bride's face is visible. If there were a little more separation between the couple and the tree line it would have been even stronger.

Judges Comments

Quite an interesting way to photograph the groom and his men; looks like it was taken inside a lighthouse and it's got the feel of an M.C. Escher print. Excellently executed so that even the men at the bottom are clearly in focus.

Judges Comments

This is very artistic. The photographer used the natural patterns of light as a backdrop. It is dreamy.

Judges Comments

Nice humorous moment.

Judges Comments

Well done assuming that everyone in the image was choreographed by the photographer. It has a nice sense of place.