THE WPJA IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE
FRANCK BOUTONNET AS THE 2008 PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
 The WPJA is proud to honor Franck Boutonnet of Lyon, France as its 2008
Photographer of the Year. Along with this title, Franck received a $1,000 grand prize. His name will also be permanently engraved on
the WPJA Traveling Trophy.
The first thing that makes Mr. Boutonnet's work stand-out is his ability to capture light within any environment with striking
results either in black and white or vibrant color. Each composition also offers a multitude of layers, from the subject's emotional
expression to the candid activity in the back- and foreground. Franck is able to capture the ideal frame even amid extremely fast
action situations. As a result, visitors to his site will
definitely want to take ample time to enjoy the fine details, finding something new each time they return.
Mr. Boutonnet began working as a professional photojournalist in 2000 while living in California. When it comes to photography, he
likes to do his own thing without feeling limited by the confines of formal photography lessons. In 2001, he, along with two other
photographers, founded 'item' (collectifitem.com), a
collective of photographers. In 2008, Franck was honored with six Wedding Photojournalist Association awards including Photographer of
the Year, First Place in Ceremony (Q3) and Reception (Q2). He divides his time among personal and commissioned reportages for clients
around the world, his favorite of which being weddings.
 When approached to document a wedding, he's typically chosen as a result of his
portfolio of past work and is delighted to receive carte blanche. To ensure each assignment represents his signature style, he strives
to first please himself and next his client. While aiming to push his limits beyond past accomplishments, he remains fully aware of
the important moments he must capture during the day's narrative. With this in mind, he builds a commemorative photo essay - from
preparations through the ceremony and reception.
Franck wants each wedding story to portray the personal and unique aspects of the event, fully mindful of his responsibility as the
day's memory maker. He doesn't differentiate wedding photography from any other photojournalism assignment and believes a great image
will have the same components regardless of its intent or subject matter. These components include a strong composition and universal
meaning that transcends time. It's a picture that lives by itself. It means more over time. It's immensely personal.
 Typically shooting at close range, Franck likes to use a 35mm lens. "I like to be
close, and sometimes really close," he explains. "The photographer has to move around the world and not the opposite." That said, he's
also known to step back and switch to a longer lens depending on the situation and locale. While he works, he wants to be as soft as
possible, and his clients appreciate this attitude and work style.
Regardless of the location, situation or subject, Franck can find and capture good images at any wedding. He finds this easiest
when his subjects trust him completely. Challenged to describe his own style, he always tries to explore the intimacy of the special
day with simple yet strong compositions in a documentary approach. "For me, wedding photojournalism is the responsibility to build a
family memory in the most personal and powerful way for the generations to come."
Once the day's exuberance fades, his clients thank him for preserving the personal moments that speak both of their important day
and the individuals involved.
Lisa Evenson-Ohr / For the Wedding Photojournalist Association
TOP WPJA PHOTOGRAPHERS FOR 2008:
| Photographer |
Location |
Total Points |
|
|
|
| 1. Franck Boutonnet |
FRANCE |
46 |
| 2. Rob Witzel |
FL, USA |
40 |
| 3. Genya Garrett |
FL, USA |
38 |
| 4. Matt Adcock |
GA, USA |
36 |
| 5. Stephen Loh |
SINGAPORE |
32 |
| 6. Hassel Weems |
GA, USA |
30 |
| 7. Meg Baisden |
FL, USA |
28 |
| Shane Snider |
NC, USA |
28 |
| 9. Edmund Tham |
MALAYSIA |
26 |
| Scott Juarez |
TX-N, USA |
26 |
| Dorota Kaszuba |
POLAND |
26 |
| 12. Tony Cabrera |
IL, USA |
25 |
| 13. Christian Keenan |
ENGLAND |
24 |
| 14. Dominique Cabrelli |
FRANCE |
22 |
| Brett Butterstein |
CO, USA |
22 |
| 16. Ronald Soliman |
DE, USA |
20 |
| Kenny Nakai |
IL, USA |
20 |
| 18. Anthony Ku |
TX-C, USA |
19 |
| Bill McCullough |
TX-C, USA |
19 |
| David Murray |
ME, USA |
19 |
| Ryan Brenizer |
NY-C, USA |
19 |
| Ben Chrisman |
CA-N, USA |
19 |
| 23. Britta Trygstad |
ND, USA |
18 |
| Mark Earthy |
SWEDEN |
18 |
| 25. Malgorzata Woszczyna |
NY-C, USA |
17 |
| Kelvin Koh |
SINGAPORE |
17 |
| Matt Mcgraw |
NC, USA |
17 |
| Steven Bridges |
TN, USA |
17 |
| Eng Hong Loh |
SINGAPORE |
17 |
| Siang Loo |
WA, USA |
17 |
| 31. Dino Lara |
PHILIPPINES |
16 |
| Jesse Chamberlin |
GA, USA |
16 |
| Merri Cyr |
NY-C, USA |
16 |
| Corey McNabb |
NC, USA |
16 |
| David Wittig |
IL, USA |
16 |
| Anna Kuperberg |
CA-N, USA |
16 |
| Luigi Rota |
ITALY |
16 |
| Tom Paice |
ENGLAND |
16 |
| Debra Zeller |
CA-N, USA |
16 |
| Genevieve Nisly |
OH, USA |
16 |
| Rich Janniello |
NY-C, USA |
16 |
| Jonathan Kirshner |
IL, USA |
16 |
| Chris Humphreys |
CA-S, USA |
16 |
| Adam Welch |
CO, USA |
16 |
| 45. Alana Couch |
BC, CAN |
15 |
| Jeffrey Neal Lawler |
CA-S, USA |
15 |
| Wendy Woods |
MN, USA |
15 |
| Alison Rose Williams |
CO, USA |
15 |
| Jay Reiter |
NH, USA |
15 |
| Brooke Hendricks |
WA, USA |
15 |
| Ron Storer |
WA, USA |
15 |
| Karen Bridges |
IL, USA |
15 |
| Cindy Brown |
GA, USA |
15 |
| Angela Lang |
CA-N, USA |
15 |
| Chris Moseley |
TX-N, USA |
15 |
| Janne Miettinen |
FINLAND |
15 |
| Rick Collins |
BC, CAN |
15 |
| Tara Lokey |
OK, USA |
15 |
| 59. Christobal Perez |
NC, USA |
13 |
| Sarah Bastille |
MA, USA |
13 |
| 61. Ryan Browne |
ENGLAND |
12 |
| Channing Johnson |
MA, USA |
12 |
| Sol Tamargo |
MEXICO |
12 |
| Lauren Brooks |
OR, USA |
12 |
| Yu Hsin Seah |
SINGAPORE |
12 |
| Tina Wright |
AZ, CANADA |
12 |
| 67. Neil Palmer |
ENGLAND |
11 |
| Daria Bishop |
VT, USA |
11 |
| Kent Meireis |
CO, USA |
11 |
| Janis Ratnieks |
LATVIA |
11 |
| Holly Pacione |
CO, USA |
11 |
| 72. Carrie Pratt |
FL, USA |
10 |
| Edoardo Agresti |
ITALY |
10 |
| David Bracho |
IL, USA |
10 |
| Christine Rucker |
NC, USA |
10 |
| Aaron Willcox |
CA-S, USA |
10 |
| Mariano Friginal |
CA-C, USA |
10 |
| Glen Cooper |
MA, USA |
10 |
| Melissa Laggis |
AK, USA |
10 |
| Michael Temchine |
DC, USA |
10 |
| Karri North |
ON, CAN |
10 |
| Andrew Collings |
IL, USA |
10 |
| Tim Harman |
GA, USA |
10 |
| Konstantin Andruhin |
RUSSIA |
10 |
| Joseph Gidjunis |
PA, USA |
10 |
| 86. Mark Wallis |
ENGLAND |
8 |
| Scott Lewis |
PA, USA |
8 |
| 88. Jenna Tye |
BC, CAN |
7 |
| Andree Kehn |
ME, USA |
7 |
| Jaime Viera |
CA-S, USA |
7 |
| Brett Buchanan |
TX-C, USA |
7 |
| 92. Brett Carlson |
IL, USA |
6 |
| Amy Newman |
NJ, USA |
6 |
| Cameron Clark |
AZ, USA |
6 |
| Marco Ficili |
ITALY |
6 |
| Art Pinney |
WA, USA |
6 |
| Anne Ryan |
IL, USA |
6 |
| Lina Jang |
NY-C, USA |
6 |
| Stacey Brandon |
FL, USA |
6 |
| Aurel Virlan |
ROMANIA |
6 |
| Fadi Kheir |
NY-C, USA |
6 |
| John Zich |
IL, USA |
6 |
| Andre Maier |
NY-C, USA |
6 |
| 104. Jen Capone |
PA, USA |
5 |
| Lewis Lau |
HONG KONG |
5 |
| David Zaveloff |
PA, USA |
5 |
| Mark Seymour |
ENGLAND |
5 |
| Michael Barber |
OH, USA |
5 |
| Simon Grosset |
SCOTLAND |
5 |
| Kim Hayes |
WA, USA |
5 |
| Jason Brown |
IL, USA |
5 |
| Rhee Bevere |
CA-N, USA |
5 |
| Pete Lucas |
ENGLAND |
5 |
| Emin Kuliyev |
NY-C, USA |
5 |
| Lawrence Ng |
SINGAPORE |
5 |
| Monte Swann |
MN, USA |
5 |
| Andy DeLisle |
AZ, USA |
5 |
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