The results from the latest Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA) contest are in and we were thrilled to have a first place winner! The photograph of Chrissy & John , at Barton Creek Country Club

in Austin, won the cake cutting category in the WPJA’s international

competition.

WPJA is a professional organization composed of photojournalists and wedding photographers from all over the world. What sets its members apart in the industry is their candid, documentary approach – a distinctly artistic vision toward wedding photography. You have to meet the WPJA’s strict criteria to join the WPJA.

Here’s the story behind the creation of this photograph. Although I try very hard to always bring fresh eyes to every wedding, some of the photo ops (like the cake cutting!) are often best shot from the same position. At the last minute, Chrissy & John were rotated 90% around the table. So, the official “media” (two videographers  + the second photographer working with me) all shifted too and I thought, “hey, they’re all standing in my

spot.”

Seeing all these cameras aimed at the couple, I quickly determined the best approach would be to document the ENTIRE scene.  So, I took a big step backward and waited for the perfect moment! The color photograph below is the original image.

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For the final photograph, I cropped in tight on the image to eliminate the tall ceilings and the camera of my second photographer (basically, anything that wasn’t relevant to the photograph had to go!). I wanted the viewer’s eye to go straight to John & Chrissy.

Because of the variety of colors, I felt like converting the photograph to black and white would also help isolate Chrissy & John and really share with you how very much they were the center of their world at that very moment. A few more adjustments in the digital darkroom, and Voila!, an award-winning photograph.

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