STANDARD CATEGORIES:

ENHANCED IMAGE CATEGORIES:

Digital Submission Deadline: January 26, 2005

WPJA recognizes the accomplishments and creative excellence in the wedding photojournalism industry. Contest competitions reward talent with cash awards, trophies, a traveling trophy, titles and professional recognition.

An experienced panel of judges reviews entries within the following STANDARD categories.

01. Getting Ready
“Getting Ready” entries spontaneously capture the prepping, grooming, arranging, outfitting and nail biting before the ceremony.

02. Ceremony
“Ceremony” shots catch guests and participants throughout pre-ceremony, vow and receiving line activity.

03. Reception
“Reception” photographs document festivities from the cocktail hour through the last dance and departure.

04. Kids (being kids)
"Kids" candid images of children doing what they do best.

05. Details
"Details" tighter shots on some of the day’s textures including clothes, rings, linens, flowers and faces.

06. Action
“Action” entries capture key moments in peak action, highlighting body language and/or expressions.

07. Emotion
“Emotion” entries unobtrusively freeze intriguing expressions ranging from joy to tears.

08. Humor
“Humor” photographs document the lighter side of the wedding day.

09. Transportation
“Transportation” images include brides in limos or carriages, bridal parties in route to the ceremony or reception, trolley rides, antique cars, buses and other transporting themes.

10. Silhouettes, Shadows & Good Light
“Silhouettes, Shadows & Good Light” entries include portrait or candid graphic images brilliantly emphasizing natural and/or artificial light, darkness, backlight and/or shadow.

11. Creative Portrait of Bride
“Creative Portrait of Bride” entries capture the Bride using a fresh and artistic approach to wedding portraiture. Candid moments are not eligible for this category. Creativity will be rewarded.

12. Creative Portrait of Groom
“Creative Portrait of Groom” images capture the Groom using a fresh and artistic approach to wedding portraiture. Candid moments are not eligible for this category. Creativity will be rewarded.

13. Creative Portrait of Bride AND Groom
“Creative Portrait of Bride AND Groom” entries capture the Bride & Groom using a fresh and artistic approach to couple portraiture. Candid moments are not eligible for this category. Creativity will be rewarded.

14. Creative Portrait of Bridal Party
“Creative Portrait of Bridal Party” captures the Bridal Party using a fresh and artistic approach to group portraiture. Candid moments are not eligible for this category. Creativity will be rewarded.

15. Sequential (3 images from the same situation)
“Sequential" entries include three strong images from the same general time. Use software to combine the three images into one submission. Keylines (thin borders) around the individual images are accepted ONLY in this category (to separate each visually). A single image from the three in this entry may also be submitted in another category.

16. Architecture (interiors & exteriors of buildings etc.)
“Architecture" photographs include building interiors and exteriors reflecting the beauty in the ceremony or reception site.

17. Five Images From One Wedding (5 from 1)
“5-From-1” entries combine five images from the same wedding, documenting a story, feeling or moment each in itself. Images should not be sequential or interdependent. 5-From-1 photo entries may be submitted in another category for the additional entry fee. Winning images from 2004 WPJA contests are also eligible for 5-From-1. Entry fee is $10. per image, or $50. per submission.

Please follow the same sizing entry guide for each image in this category. Do not combine images into a collage entered as one file.

5-From-1 winners acquire more points for First Place (25 points), Second Place (20 points) and Third Place (15 points).

Due to a growing demand and need for creative recognition within the organization, the WPJA is proud to announce its new Enhanced Image Categories. Unlike the Standard Categories, enhanced image submissions may utilize equipment based techniques, digital capture effects, photo development altering, or computer software manipulation including actions, plug-ins and filters.

An experienced panel of judges with a variety of backgrounds will review entries within the following ENHANCED IMAGE categories:

E1. Before Ceremony
“Before Ceremony ” entries spontaneously capture the prepping, grooming, arranging, outfitting and nail biting before the ceremony. Photographs may utilize image enhancement techniques.

E2. The Ceremony
“The Ceremony” entries spontaneously catch guests and participants throughout pre-ceremony, vow and receiving line activity. Photographs may utilize image enhancement techniques.

E3. After Ceremony
“After Ceremony ” submissions offer documentation of festivities from the cocktail hour through the last dance and departure. Photographs may utilize image enhancement techniques.

E4. Details
"Details" offer tight shots on wedding day texture such as clothes, rings, tables, flowers and expressions. Photographs may utilize image enhancement techniques.

E5. All Portraits
“All Portraits” entries capture new and artistic approaches to wedding portraiture. Photographs may utilize image enhancement techniques.