Wedding Photojournalism Contest: WPJA 2015 Q2 Photography Contest

I had the nicest surprise, after a long day of teaching Photojournalism at Northwestern University, then running a Chicago wedding photographer monthly meeting, a group of wedding photographers who help each other out with our businesses, which is especially awesome.

 I received an email from the Wedding Photojournalists Association informing me that I had won an award in their latest wedding photography contest.

 As a former photojournalist with the Chicago Tribune for 11 years, who actually left daily photojournalism to create my own wedding business, I really admire what the WPJA stands for and offers to our wedding photography community.  Honestly, I’ve talked about Photojournalism all day, have a speech tomorrow, and my own Photojournalism class at Northwestern University starting Wednesday, so I am full of PJ love.  That’s Photojournalism love, to you civilians.  🙂

This love and passion prompted me to check out the mission statement from the WPJA website:

OUR MISSION

To us capturing honest moments matters. So do integrity, trust and creativity. Our mission is to guarantee consumers the most extensive and exclusive network of award-winning wedding photographers available anywhere. And our promise to members is a beneficial fraternity in an elite group of the finest wedding photographers in the world.

OUR VISION

To achieve our mission, the WPJA only accepts into membership gifted, honest wedding photojournalists who work tirelessly to deliver excellent photography to their clients. We also sponsor semi-annual competitions to inspire photographers and illustrate for consumers how transformational truly great wedding photojournalism can be.

OUR VALUES

Trust | Accuracy | Guaranteed Excellence | Exclusivity | Best Business Practices

I love being a part of an organization that truly embraces what we do as wedding photojournalists.  There is no second chance.  We get exactly one second to get the shot, to capture that one moment that will last a lifetime.

Thank you!   Please check out my incredibly talented friends and our award-winning images here.

If you’re interested in learning from some amazing photographers, please join us at the Fearless Conference in AZ this November.  I’ll be teaching there as well.  If you’re a photographer, please consider joining us, there’s a great family here and so much inspiration to pass around, you shouldn’t miss it!

Oh, and I almost forgot… how about that award-winning image?

You couldn’t stage this, a mother sobbing after seeing the bridal gown.  You have to feel it, first.

Then, you have to get close, and document it.