AWARD WINNING WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHS 

I had initially decided against entering wedding photography competitions in 2020 but after just a couple of months of abstaining I couldn’t resist any longer and so entered the Guild of Photographers, Image of the Month Competition in the weddings category.

Image of the Month is a national monthly competition which draws several thousand entries each month with the highest scoring photographs going forwards to compete on an individual level for photograph of the year and the photographers accumulating points in the competition to win the title of Wedding Photographer of the Year. 

The wedding photographs below are my entries in the competition for 2020. Out of 18 wedding photographs entered, all received awards, I managed to score two Golds, ten Silvers and six Bronze. The overall awards ceremony isn’t until February so I’ll have to wait and see how I fair in the single image category and overall….

Mike and Laura in Santorini standing atop one of the islands famous white washed churches with blue domes and looking back down onto the sea this was one of my favourite photos from their wedding day and was so pleased for it to score a silver. 

Allerton Castle in North Yorkshire is one of my favourite wedding venues and  photographs from Allerton appear frequently in my awards, in 2020, seven of the 18 entered wedding photographs were taken at weddings at Allerton Castle. This simple sunset silhouette was awarded a Silver. 

Sarah and Simon’s wedding at Helmsley in North Yorkshire involved a sunset photo session with their wedding car, marrying later in the day and close to sunset we were lucky to still have the wedding car for photographs as the light faded. This wedding photograph of them involved my assistant hiding in the car with them to add the lighting but was worth the effort as it became one of my favourites from their wedding and also won a Silver Award. 

A simple reflection photograph of Heather before the wedding ceremony at Allerton Castle was awarded a Bronze back in March. 

Group photographs typically don’t score well and only a few make the awards, this wedding photograph taken at Crathorne Hall was awarded a Bronze in March. 

A Santorini sunset on Mike and Laura’s wedding day. Before the wedding I spent almost a full day exploring and planning the photoshoot and chose a location for sunset that would allow several vantage points and photo opportunities including this at an old church looking out to the west and perfectly positioned for catching the setting sun. this sunset silhouette was awarded a Bronze. 

I’ve already mentioned Allerton Castle features in over 30% of the wedding photographs I entered in 2020 and the staircase in the great hall probably features in the lions share of these photos!  This classic black and white of Naomi and Tom on the staircase was awarded a Silver in June. 

Simple and classic, this wedding photograph of Leanne at Kirkstall Abbey in Leeds was awarded a Silver in July. the wedding was one of the most memorable as it took place outside in a heavy rain shower, at the point of this photograph the dress was still soaked and required a little bit of cleaning in Photoshop. 

Back to Allerton Castle for this black and whit wedding photograph of Cameron and Heather outside the castle. The breeze helping swish the veil. This was a photograph I’d envisaged and although I often shoot big veils but this was the first time I’d tried this specific combination of veil and lighting so was very pleased with the result and of course the silver award! 

When everything comes together it can be magical and this was one such time. At Peckforton Castle with a drone above the bride and groom and photographing the long shadows from the setting sun. My first Gold of the year and the first time I’ve scored a Gold with a drone wedding photograph. 

A bronze award for this wedding photograph of Nick and Charlotte at Rudding Park Hotel. The detail on the back of Charlottes dress was immense and the magnolia blossom perfectly frames the arch and scene. 

A silver award for this make up photograph, looking beyond the ordinary allows me to create images which are different and for a while unique( they seem to be copied quite quickly!). This is a photograph I’ve created at a number of weddings for several years but was the first time I’d ever entered one into the competition. 

Weddings in 2020 were few and far between so it was great top be out photographing weddings, in August I photographed Cameron and Kirsties wedding in York and later in the evening we popped out to take a number of twilight images in the city centre. this photograph near the minster was awarded a Bronze. 

I was lucky enough to photograph two weddings at the Turnberry Hotel in 2020, the hotel overlooks the Ayrshire coast and has so many photo opportunities. this photo from Sinead and Williams wedding scored a Silver in September. 

Frances on the staircase at Allerton Castle was awarded a Silver in September. When the weather isn’t ideal we make use of the indoor locations and thankfully Allerton Castle has an abundance. 

Silhouettes and sunsets go so well together (although the flash version of this photograph looks pretty awesome too). This sunset outside Allerton Castle was awarded a Silver in October’s Competition. 

Leanne and Lois at Kirkstall Abbey. Threatening skies had already drenched everyone in their outdoor ceremony but Leanne and Lois were absolute troopers and keen to make the most of their photographs and wedding venue. this photograph looking back to the ruined Abbey scored a Bronze In October. 

Ending the year on a high with a Gold for this Allerton Castle wedding photograph of Heather and Cameron. A slightly different angle taking in the grandeur of the Staircase and Great Hall.

You can view more of my wedding photography, Landscape and Wildlife photography awards on my awards page here 

If you’d like to join the Guild of Photographers use this link for a discount on membership.  Link!