CATEGORY: GETTING READY
Place: First
Photographer: Ira Lippke, iralippkestudios.com
Location: Long Beach, California
Judges' Comments: The bare space in Lippke’s shot puts the focus on the preening hipsters as they play to the camera. Bright dressing-room lighting and vivid red carpeting silhouette the men’s skinny suits and give this photo an übercool, retro feel.
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CATEGORY: GETTING READY
Place: Second
Photographer: Melissa Mermin, mermin-christie.com
Location: Northern California
Judges' Comments: Fast-forward 20 years and this could be a bride and her bridal party primping for her wedding. At this moment, the girls look as though they're caught between duty and the urge to go out and play.
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CATEGORY: GETTING READY
Place: Third
Photographer: Angela Swan, angelaswan.com
Location: Illinios
Judges' Comments: The straightforward composition puts the focus on the groom—who's determined not to get his clothes messed up—yet places him squarely in the company of the well-dressed men in the portraits above him.
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CATEGORY: GETTING READY
Place: Fourth
Photographer: Julie Gelfand, gelfandpiper.com
Location: New York
Judges' Comments: There is so much action, color, energy and decoration, yet the boy is utterly bored. He is slouching in his nice suit. It is a great moment.
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CATEGORY: GETTING READY
Place: Fifth
Photographer: Gabe McClintock, calgaryweddingphotographer.ca
Location: Alberta, Canada
Judges' Comments: It's nice to see a groom photographed in the same contemplative state you usually see a bride—and he looks as though he appreciates that this day is a big deal.
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CATEGORY: GETTING READY
Place: Sixth
Photographer: Matt Barton, mattbarton.com/weddings
Location: Kentucky
Judges' Comments: The photographer was just where he needed to be—at the right instant. The humorous expression is nicely framed by eight arms.
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CATEGORY: GETTING READY
Place: Seventh
Photographer: Adam Welch, adamwelch.net
Location: Colorado
Judges' Comments: This photo really captures the tension of the groom (two cigarettes!) and allows the viewer to feel the confusion of the groomsman with his tie.
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CATEGORY: GETTING READY
Place: Eighth
Photographer: Dennis Drenner, dennisdrenner.com
Location: Maryland
Judges' Comments: This moment is so wonderful. I love the man's bruised nail in contrast to his elegant cuffs.
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CATEGORY: GETTING READY
Place: Ninth
Photographer: Kathy Martin, kathymartinphotography.com
Location: Pennsylvania
Judges' Comments: The surroundings are incredible. You can tell so much about the couple just from the location they have chosen. The men are so serious. You feel that the ceremony is just about to start. There seems to be tension in the photo helped by the chaotic walls.
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CATEGORY: GETTING READY
Place: Tenth
Photographer: Katrina Wallace, sedonabride.com
Location: Arizona
Judges' Comments: These are the images we know exist, the moments that pass by in a glance—but until a sensitive photographer sees and records them, it is almost as though they have never happened.
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