The 2026 WPE Awards (1st Half)
I’ll be honest, I’ve never been particularly comfortable writing blog posts about winning awards.
I’ve always felt that wedding photography should be about the couples, their families, and the moments that matter most to them. However, over the years I’ve come to understand that when couples are choosing someone to document one of the most important days of their lives, recognition from industry peers can provide reassurance that they’re placing their trust in capable hands.
Great News
So, with that in mind, I wanted to share some wonderful news and, more importantly, express my gratitude.
The first-half results of the 2026 WPE International Photography Awards have been announced, and I’m incredibly humbled to have received 16 awards, including two first-place category wins and one second-place finish. Those results have currently placed me as the WPE #2 ranked Wedding Photographer and #10 Overall Photographer across all photographic genres for 2026.
Even writing those words feels a little surreal.
What makes these results particularly meaningful is that I stepped away from competitions for several years. Returning this year was something of a personal challenge, not because I was chasing rankings, but because I wanted to push myself creatively again and see whether the work I was creating still resonated with experienced judges from around the world.
Thank You
To the judges who gave their time, expertise and consideration to my images, thank you. Judging photography is an enormous responsibility, and I’m genuinely grateful for the recognition.
To my clients, thank you for inviting me into your lives and trusting me with moments that can never be repeated. Every award-winning image began with a real couple who allowed me to witness one of the happiest days of their lives. Without you, none of this would be possible.
To everyone who follows my work online, shares my posts, leaves encouraging comments, recommends me to friends, or simply takes a moment to support what I do, thank you. Your kindness never goes unnoticed.
The truth is that I became a wedding photographer because I wanted to create something that people could value and treasure for the rest of their lives. I wanted to create photographs that would make people smile, laugh, cry, reminisce, and relive moments that become more precious with each passing year.
It’s all about the moments
The greatest reward has never been the awards themselves. The greatest reward is knowing that a photograph I created might one day be shown to children, grandchildren, and future generations. It’s knowing that a single image can transport someone back to a moment they thought they might otherwise forget.
These awards simply remind me that I’m still able to do that, and for that I feel incredibly grateful.
What’s Ahead
While I’m honoured by these results, I’m also very excited about what comes next. The WPE Second Half competition and the Annual Awards are still ahead, and I’m looking forward to seeing how I go. More importantly, I’m looking forward to the weddings I have coming up between now and then and the opportunity to create new images, meet new couples, and continue doing the job I genuinely love.
Thank you again to everyone who has supported me throughout this journey. I don’t take any of it for granted.
