I started shooting at age 11, when I got my hands on the first camera. Documentary photography caught my eye, starting with the cats, sports events, backyard views and my sister, who always ran away from the camera. The fact is, the photographer was born. Read More...
At age 14 I got acquainted with color photography. Actually, the images were not full color. They turned out to be blue and I still blame the Kodak minilab for that. Two years later the first success showed up: I received a FIAP (International Federation of Photographic Art) award.
During the last year of school I started to cheat on my love (the Photography) and accepted the proposal to work in television as a cameraman. I turned out to be too creative for broadcasting standards, so I left television and returned back to my old love (the Photography).
Since then, for the last 12 years, I have been walking hand in hand with photography, and will never let it go. The first wedding I shot was organized by the top wedding planners of that time, which was a lucky coincidence for me. However, I was still thrown in the middle of the high way of this business and had to find the way out myself, the only tools I had were my talent, the camera and a fine selection of lenses.
In year 2009 I discovered both North America and Australia, and the weddings there were a completely different story, I was stunned, and again all I had were my good old tools – my talent, the camera and even finer selection of lenses. I wouldn't trade the gained experience to anything.
During this time I've covered lots of wedding ceremonies and have learned that they are completely different; even though the wedding gown or the venue is the same, the result is always unique. Nevertheless I am in ongoing search for new angles, perspectives - the evolution never stops for me.
Award-Winning Photos
Janis Ratnieks is an award-winning wedding photojournalist with the WPJA, based out of London, England. The contest winning images above will cycle through an auto slideshow if left untouched, but can also be viewed manually via the thumbnails or navigation arrows.
WPJA Achievements
The Wedding Photojournalist Association proudly recognizes the accomplishments and creative excellence of Janis Ratnieks. The following awards have been earned by Janis from the WPJA. These achievements come with great merit considering the high level of competition that a member faces in the contests. Stringent standards are upheld throughout the contests, standards equivalent to those of professional working photojournalists.
| 2009 |
Q3 |
11th Place - Toasting
16th Place - Creative Portrait
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BRIDES |
5th Place - Bride and Groom
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| 2008 |
Q4 |
2nd Place - Weather
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Q3 |
8th Place - Transportation
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General Package Information
All packages include sneak peek next day, images are ready in one week, High res files provided on a DVD as well as are the low res files for internet. Password protected on -line galleries are also provided with all packages.
If something is missing in my packages - feel free to contact me and ask for missing services.
Package Details
Janis Ratnieks offers the following wedding coverage packages.
$GBP1700 - for those in hurry
Sneak peek next day, images ready in one week, up to 8 hours of coverage, unlimited photos taken, 1 DVD of high + low resolution images, 100 images posted on web site for 2 weeks.
$GBP2200 - For those with long lasting kisses
Sneak peek next day, images ready in one week, up to 8 hours of coverage, unlimited photos taken, one 11 x 12,5 inch album (30 pages, 60 sides), 1 DVD of high + low resolution images, 100 images posted on web site for 1 month, DVD slideshow 30 min.
$GBP4300 - For those who want it all
Sneak peek next day, images ready in one week, up to 12 hrs first day + 6 hrs coverage next day, unlimited photos taken, studio lighting included, one 11 x 12,5 inch album (40 pages, 80 sides), two parent albums, 1 DVD of high + low resolution images, 300 images posted on web site for two months
$GBP800 - quick but precious
Up to 4 hours of coverage,
Unlimited amount of photos taken,
Sneak peek ready next day (10 - 15 images on your e-mail)
Images ready in 1 week,
1 DVD of high + low resolution images
100 images posted on my website for 2 weeks
Not available on Fridays and Saturdays
Client Testimonials
The following testimonials are from the clients of Janis Ratnieks.
Click an image to view a larger version.