2nd place in Parents
The WPJA contest judges presented James Thompson, a New York, United States wedding photographer, with this Master Piece Award as recognition for top wedding photojournalism in the industry.
The leading documentary wedding photographers in the world enter their best photos to the Wedding Photojournalist Association's photography competitions. They want their wedding reportage photographs to be evaluated and selected by some of the most notable and respected working picture editors and photojournalists in the news industry (these are not wedding photographers or other WPJA members judging their work). Winning these competitions is a true accomplishment for a wedding photographer.
2010 Q3 Judges
Judges
- Photographer captures a very sweet moment of a father kissing the forehead of his son. As they embrace the girl at left leads you into the frame as she is also moved by the emotion. It’s nice to see such a touching moment of father and son. The guy at right is a little blown out in the exposure.
- No one else seems to notice this beautiful scene except the woman at left and, thanks to a skilled photographer, us. I enjoy the "silence" of this moment. The photo gives us an opportunity to peer into the "hidden" dynamics between the younger and older man which we presume to be father and son. He grasps his head and kisses his forehead with a gesture that might be an unfamiliar awkwardness, as though such closeness is reserved for big moments like a wedding. Or perhaps it's just the opposite, a quick kiss borne of familiarity that has no need for embellishment. Is the younger man gripping or merely touching? Ultimately, such things matters little compared to what an image can do to cause us to reflect on our own life, our own embraces.
The best and top wedding photographs from this category
WPJA contest judges have been recognized by their industry peers, winning top awards as staff picture editors, staff photojournalists, and newsroom mentors while working for these and other leading publications and journalism organizations.
Wedding photographer James Thompson, was awarded 2nd place for photo 484936 in the Parents category for the WPJA's 2010 Q3.