CATEGORY: SEND-OFF/DEPARTURE
Place: First
Photographer: Chris Purdum, chrispurdumimages.com
Location: Olympia, Washington
Judges’ Comments: Every element of this photograph—color, angle, composition, lighting—draws the eye to the bride and makes her the center of attention. By framing her with a sea of white umbrellas, Purdum recalls the pretty parasols of impressionist art.
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CATEGORY: SEND-OFF/DEPARTURE
Place: Second
Photographer: Sarah Whitmeyer, whitmeyerphotography.com
Location: North Carolina
Judges’ Comments: The bride is genuinely thrilled while the groom is so intent on popping the bubble. I love the energy of the whole photo and how sweet and sincere everyone is.
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CATEGORY: SEND-OFF/DEPARTURE
Place: Third
Photographer: Gary Allen, garyallenphoto.com
Location: North Carolina
Judges’ Comments: The newlyweds' joy is captured in the smiles of those bidding them farewell. The effectiveness of the image is helped by the variety of people in the frame: a sweet young girl whose extended arm is nicely framing a happy woman intensely recording the departure; an elderly gentleman watching, his finger on a camera's shutter waiting to preserve the moment.
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CATEGORY: SEND-OFF/DEPARTURE
Place: Fourth
Photographer: Sean Flanigan, seanflaniganphotography.com
Location: Washington
Judges’ Comments: This photo has captured a beautiful light and sheer energy. The tilt of the newlyweds' bodies, particularly the groom's raised arm, fortuitously mirrors the angle of the arms the couple runs past. Many of the sparklers—though in their brightness the detail is lost—echo the shape of the bride's bouquet.
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CATEGORY: SEND-OFF/DEPARTURE
Place: Fifth
Photographer: Rene Gaviola, renegaviola.com
Location: Philippines
Judges’ Comments: The picture is effective in its graphic simplicity, and the opportunity to include the license plate—the 4EVER, echoing lovers' testimonies on pavement or paper or trees—was a bonus.
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CATEGORY: SEND-OFF/DEPARTURE
Place: Sixth
Photographer: KC Wong, greymatterphotography.com
Location: Singapore
Judges’ Comments: This is yet another image that presents itself almost like a fortunate snapshot but is so much more. Bride and groom waving goodbye as a friend or relative is reflected in the shiny exterior of the car is a beautiful example of how things can come together at just the right moment to create a beautiful storytelling image.
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CATEGORY: SEND-OFF/DEPARTURE
Place: Seventh
Photographer: Agnes Lopez, agneslopez.com
Location: Florida
Judges’ Comments: You can almost feel the "splat" in this fantastically tactile photo. This is perfect timing on this humorous send-off.
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CATEGORY: SEND-OFF/DEPARTURE
Place: Eighth
Photographer: Terri Harris, ladybugphotography.com
Location: Washington
Judges’ Comments: A great wedding moment, made possible by the ubiquitous pocket-size digital camera. Clearly whatever they are looking at must be something special if all four are trying to get the shot.
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CATEGORY: SEND-OFF/DEPARTURE
Place: Ninth
Photographer: Thea Dodds, authenticeye.com
Location: New Hampshire
Judges' Comments: Everything about this image is glowing, from the couple's expressions to the sun bouncing off the car.
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CATEGORY: SEND-OFF/DEPARTURE
Place: Tenth
Photographer: Alfonso Longobardi, alfonsolongobardi.com
Location: Italy
Judges' Comments: The couple is surrounded by onlookers, and the bride is loving it. She is in such a fairy-tale daze. The photographer managed to capture a great moment. I love the moped that the groom seems to be struggling with.
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