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30 Rising Stars of Wedding Photography

Rangefinder magazine has announced selections for its fifth annual 30 Rising Stars of Wedding Photography for 2016, based on submissions by photographers from over 200 countries. Rangefinder is the official publication of the annual Wedding and Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) conference, and honorees will be featured in the December issue of Rangefinder, as well as on display at the WPPI Conference+Expo from Feb. 5-9 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

We’ve highlighted a few of our favorite photos from this year’s selections, and you can find a complete online gallery here.

Above: Lato Photography/Laura&Tommy (Italy) “One of our favorite weddings of the last season. We were dealing with very difficult and shiny light, and we had to get the best from that situation so we captured this moment using a 45mm tilt-shift lens to create a softer background. The strength of this image comes from their hand positions creating a harmonious line, the delicate colors of their clothing matching with the background and, of course, the bride’s look.”

Lukas Piatek (Germany)

“During a wedding day, I often try to take photos of small children. They are not disturbed by the camera at all and just do whatever they would do if I was not around. This little boy was basically running around the dance floor the entire evening, and at one point, I literally waited for him to do something special. I did not expect, however, that he would jump so perfectly, raising his arms in the air, looking into the light and being perfectly centered and framed on the dance floor. The shot was made two years ago and it was my favorite photo from that year.”

Jacob Loafman (USA)

“So, this couple’s ceremony and reception were held at their church. However, their church had recently built a brand new building, but they informed me they still had access to the old church. They wanted to know if I would like to do the main wedding party and bride/groom portraits there. I excitedly agreed and we headed that way. As soon as we walked in, I almost fell over from how amazing the building was inside. It was vacant. Completely vacant. This vacant space still featured the remnants of where the previously used cross hung on the wall. It was just beautiful.”

“I noticed there was still access to the balcony and wanted to do a full wedding party portrait from up there. My idea was to just have them arrange themselves randomly. I provided very little direction, as that’s what I wanted. My desire was to create a group portrait that felt more like an album cover, where the entire group was the focal point, but the vacancy and tattered old floors added an element of interest to the shot. After I released the shutter button a few times, I knew I had accomplished what I was going for.”

People Truelove Tellers (Spain)

“This was a very lucky one. We didn’t actually want to shoot it because we were running out of time and were on our way to another spot for portrait pictures. We were driving in a tiny, narrow and lonely road in the middle of nowhere outside of Madrid, and suddenly a full flock of sheep crossed the road. That was perfect because they ran away to the hill in the perfect direction of the sunset. I asked for the couple to follow them and the photo came!”

Tim and Laura Sullivan (USA)

“Chip and Karyn had a lot they wanted to do for their wedding (ranging from Prince impersonators to multiple live bands), but in the end, they chose an in-town elopement with just their two kiddos and us. Tim officiated, Laura took the ceremony photos, and we spent the day gallivanting around some of the most gorgeous spots in Seattle (we even organized a private chef in an industrial loft for them, because going above and beyond for our clients is our favorite thing). This shot is from the deck of their unfinished condo during their ceremony. Our florist came in and covered the construction dust with the most gorgeous arrangements, almost like their own little Wonderland. Their daughters were crying, we were crying—oh man, was it all memorable.”

Marko Marinkovic (Croatia)

“My editing process aims to resemble the colors of the visual artists from the 16th and 17th century as they, among others, struck a foundation for all of us. Each of the paintings I visit for inspiration gives me insight on the thought process a painter must go through in order to recreate 3D light on a two-dimensional surface. From framing the scene on the square canvas to choosing the color palette, it stays pretty much the same in photography today. Spoiled by the digital era we often overshoot and undermine the thought process behind the images we create.”

The Hendrys (Scotland)

“This was one of the most heartfelt weddings we’ve captured to date. The sun was out—when it was forecasted to rain heavily—emotions were running high and the couple and their guests exuded happiness throughout the whole day. At that moment, we thought to ourselves, is this really our job?! And from then on, we knew it was what we wanted to continue doing for as long as we possibly could.”

Lucy Spartalis (Australia)

“Working with Paul and his groomsmen was like spending a day on the set of Monty Python. LOOK at those mustaches; socks; sexual poses. My partner Alastair and I were wiping tears away between every shot. At one point, someone did a handstand and someone else started posing provocatively on the floor. I could’ve just shot them as they already were, but with a little zhuzhing (I checked that spelling, by the way—what a word)—positioning Paul between the spread legs of the groomsman behind him, asking another gent to kneel on one knee to create a mid-level point of interest, etc—we created a more balanced and dynamic composition. I don’t like to pose people too heavily in most cases, but when you’re onto a good thing, a little directorial tweaking can really take things to the next level.”

Heather Liddell (New Zealand)

“Spring weddings are something special. Julia was greeted by an ecstatic Graham and a sun shower when she reached the top of the aisle. The beads of water caught the light and created the most amazing effect. I crouched low so I could create an angle to get in a little sun flare and to make sure that the rain drops would be highlighted against the dark hedge.”

Pablo Beglez (Spain)

“A few minutes after Paula got out of her room to go directly to the altar, she had a problem with the dress. The designer was there with us and had to take a needle and thread and sew the dress right there. Those were some minutes of stress, but it finally was great.”

Jacob Murphy (USA)

“It was toward the end of the night and the dance party was reaching a crescendo, but I couldn’t help but notice this perfect vignette of everyone’s shoes. I love when details can tell a strong story too. I used an indirect tunnel flash technique to make this photo more interesting.”

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)