I’m delighted to have received numerous Wedding Photojournalist Association awards. Wedding Photojournalist Association is a directory of documentary, reportage-style photographers as well as adventure elopement photographers.
The top wedding photographers from around the world submit their best images to the Wedding Photojournalist Association’s popular photography competitions because they appreciate having the opportunity to be recognized for their work. They know that their photographs are going to be scrutinized by some of the most notable and respected working photojournalists and picture editors in the news industry, and they appreciate that winning these competitions is a true accomplishment.
Founded in 2002 by a group of former newspaper photojournalists seeking to expand the repertoire of wedding photographers, the Wedding Photojournalist Association has become the most respected worldwide membership organization promoting the use of documentary craft in wedding photography.
It is important to note that wedding photojournalism is not equivalent to “photojournalism” or “reportage.” These terms specifically refer to visual reporting for news media, while wedding photojournalism employs the techniques and principles of photojournalism to tell the real story of a couple’s special day, without staging or manipulating it. The Wedding Photojournalist Association values the profession of photojournalism, and therefore, only working photojournalists and news photo editors, including Pulitzer Prize winners and finalists, are asked to judge member competitions. They employ the same judgment and expertise they would use to select the best images for their news stories.
As a result, WPJA members produce wedding photographs that capture the authentic events and emotions of the day, providing a genuine representation of the couple’s special moments. Their images are unique and full of humanity, setting them apart from the thousands of staged wedding photos that populate social media. WPJA members take pride in producing work that is as distinctive and genuine as the individuals making their vows, without fabricating moments.
