Grand Prize winner & Solo Portrait winner, Erika Mann (Canada)
The winners of the inaugural International Wedding Photographer of the Year (IWPOTY) contest demonstrate the incredible variety of ways that wedding photographers capture these celebrations of love. IWPOTY honors the art of wedding photography around the world, and its winners exemplify the artistry of this special type of photography.
Grand prize winner, Erika Mann took home the title of International Wedding Photographer of the Year for her striking photograph of a bride framed by stormy skies, with a rainbow touching down perfectly at her side. “After a short, and unpredictable storm, we were treated to the most amazing double rainbow,” the Canadian photographer shares. “I got low into the creek bed so we could remove the houses, and simplify the frame to the rainbow, mountain and Paige, with her dress billowing in the wind.”
Photographers submitted their work across nine categories that capture the full range of these couples' special day, including Solo Portrait and Bridal Party, as well as Epic Location and Dancefloor. From emotional moments to silly setups with friends, the photographers show that the best wedding photography is a mix of artistry, sentiment, and the willingness to take risks.
Over $25,000 in cash prizes and merchandise were handed out to the grand prize winner, runner-up, and category winners. Let's explore more of the winning and finalist entries to get some inspiration on how to capture the romance and excitement of weddings.
The first annual International Wedding Photographer of the Year celebrates the art of wedding photography around the world.
From Above Winner, Adrian O'Neill (Ireland)
Overall prize runner up & Single Capture winner, Paul Woo (USA)
Dancefloor winner, Mike Vallely (Canada)
Black & White winner, Bruno Sauma (USA)
Bridal Party winner, Angela Ruscheinski (Canada)
Couple Portrait winner, Jayme Lang (Canada)
Epic Location winner, (Canada)
Album winner, Francesco Gravina (Italy)
Epic Location, Top 10, Karina Leonenko (Cyprus)
Single Capture, Top 10, Ropate Kama (Fiji)
The winners and finalists are collectively some of the best wedding photographers in the world.
Solo Portrait, Top 10, Oscar Castro (Mexico)
From Above, Top 10, Krzysztof Krawczyk (Poland)
Couple Portrait, Top 10, Oli Sansom (Australia)
Black & White, Top 10, Sara Rogers (Canada)
Bridal Party, Top 10, Lucy Spartalis (Australia)
Black & White, Top 10, Donatella Barbera (Italy)
Dancefloor, Top 10, Lanny Mann (Canada)
From Above, Top 10, Ropate Kama (Fiji)
Dancefloor, Top 10, Paul Santos (Great Britain)
Epic Location, Top 10, Gustvao Franco (Brazil)
Couple Portrait, Top 10, Dylan Kitchener (Great Britain)
Bridal Party, Top 10, Steve Wise (Australia)
