1st place in Humor
The WPJA contest judges presented Ben Chrisman, a South Carolina, United States wedding photographer, with this Master Piece Award as recognition for top wedding photojournalism in the industry.
The leading documentary wedding photographers in the world enter their best photos to the Wedding Photojournalist Association's photography competitions. They want their wedding reportage photographs to be evaluated and selected by some of the most notable and respected working picture editors and photojournalists in the news industry (these are not wedding photographers or other WPJA members judging their work). Winning these competitions is a true accomplishment for a wedding photographer.
2013 Q4 Contest Judges
Judges
- Tough category- a lot of really good moments. What really rose to the top were the spontaneous images where the photographer really had to be on his/her game to get the photo. There were also images that were good luck and timing combined. The number one image for me was a great little moment that the photographer saw and caught. I love the man's expression under the hug – very nice.
- Is that the groom or a witness caught between the throes of reality and hope? The reality is clear - the wedding documents need a signed agreement. It’s the document that seals the ties that bind in an enduring legal document. Even in divorce the ink of those signatures never fades. But in hope, they mark the merging of two into one. You have to love this image, if nothing more than for its not-so-subtle message about the ties we bind and bridges built over trouble, or slightly perturbed waters.
The best and top wedding photographs from this category
WPJA contest judges have been recognized by their industry peers, winning top awards as staff picture editors, staff photojournalists, and newsroom mentors while working for these and other leading publications and journalism organizations.
Wedding photographer Ben Chrisman, was awarded 1st place for photo 1342106 in the Humor category for the WPJA's 2013 Q4 Contest.