RangefinNovember 6agazine has released its annual selection of the top wedding photographers, currently in its fourth year of publication, spotlighting the work of thirty photographers to keep an eye on. The list of over 200 nominees was compiled through recommendations from wedding planners, editors, and previous recipients. A jury of judges Rangefinder chief editor Jacqueline Tobin selected the 30 photographers that make up the list. Check out some of their photos here, and visit the online gallery of Rangefinder to see the work of all the winners of this year’s contest.
New York – November 6, 2015 New York, November 6, 2015 November 6 magazine is the November 6tigious publication for photographers of weddings and portraits and the official magazine of each year’s Wedding and Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) Conference + Expo announced the photographers who were selected for the fourth annual “30 Rising Stars of Wedding Photography.” The winners were chosen from over 200 portfolios across the globe which included entries from Croatia, France, England, New Zealand, Scotland, Tahiti, and all across the U.S. A display of photographs of these year’s thirty Rising Stars will be on display at the WPPI Conference + Expo in Las Vegas from March 3-10 the year 2016.
“The work submitted by this year’s nominees represented an incredible sense of creativity and uniqueness that reflects a fresh perspective on an age-old event by a new crop of image makers,” Explains Jacqueline Tobin, editor-in-chief of Rangefinder and a member of the judge’s panel this year. “We were amazed by the drama, ambiance and energy in some of the entries that resulted in some amazing wedding pictures. The work produced by the 30 winners is impressive and continues to be a source of inspiration photographers of all levels of the industry.”
The 2014 Rising Star Erum Rizvi further discusses the effects of the competitive landscape, “referrals, support and motivation are the most important factors to remaining relevant in this business. The ability to learn from colleagues and establishing a solid network of support pushes us forward in our community and as we grow as a business.”
Every year, leaders in the industry, such as wedding planners, photo editors, bloggers, photographers, and former Rising Stars, are asked to nominate photographers who have shown extraordinary quality and imagination in their work. Are professional photographers for less than five years?
Nominated photographers must present a portfolio comprising 30 photos that capture crucial moments during the wedding day, including the ceremony, group and individual portraits, reception, and other important instances. The elements that nominators and judges are looking for in their submissions are genuine emotion in the subject, a unique composition and perspectives and an unrelenting desire to experiment when they work. “For me, I look for images that take my breath away, have what I call a ‘gut-punch’ impact, and are fresh and timeless,” Tobin adds Tobin.
In addition to Tobin, judges for this year’s competition included Rangefinder’sfeatures editor Libby Peterson, art director Kelly O’Leary, WPPI director Jason Groupp, and custom media manager Moneer Masih-Tehrani. The panel spent three weeks viewing, analyzing, and occasionally debating over 6,000 photos. What impressed the jury most, in addition to the submissions of the entries, was that a third of contestants had shot the film at least in part of their professional work, while around a quarter of them had been professionally shooting for 21Z2 years or less.
“Being selected as part of ‘the 30’ gives a sense of validation and acceptance within the industry,” is the explanation of rising star Chris Sansom of Sansom Photography, which he runs with his wife Verity from The U.K. “Being part of this elite team is the distinction between observing the things we do as an occupation and viewing it as a passion which we are willing to invest our soul and heart into. Verity and I are grateful and humbled by this honor.”
At the WPPI conference Honorees, nominators, and judges will be part of an open discussion in which they will share the personal stories of their experiences. They will explain how they work in a manner that allows them to attain exceptional status and discuss what the nominators were looking for when they submitted their names to this year’s contest. Panel discussions will be held on the 7th of March, Monday between 4 and 5 p.mMarch 7re details; you can go to our WPPI 2016 Seminar Program.
To see the images created by this year’s “30 Rising Stars of Wedding Photography,” go to the gallery online developed by 30 Rising Stars sponsor ShootProof. The print exhibit on display at WPPI is created through thirty Rising Stars supports, Richard Photo Lab.
To view the November digital edition of Rangefinder, please visit Rangefinderonline.com.
The 30″Rising Stars” of Wedding Photography’ 2015 include:
Amanda Marie Schwinghammer
Amber Gress
Caroline Petters
Chellise Michael + Mike Busse
Chris and Verity Sansom
Danelle Bohane
Dark Roux (Jamie and Heather)
David Matthew Fiser
Forged in the North (Ryan and Heidi Browne)
Free the Bird (Jai Long)
Helene Havard
Hugh Whitaker
