RANGEFINDER 30 RISING STARS OF WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

HOLY HELL I’VE BEEN NAMED AS ONE OF THE TOP 30 EMERGING WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS ON THE PLANET

So Rangefinder Magazine is a bit of a wedding photography bible based in the USA. Every year, after a process involving hundreds of nominees from all over the globe, they award the 30 rising stars of wedding photography - the only stipulation is that you have had to be shooting full time for less than 5 years. In their words, the award “recognises and honors wedding photographers who are creating an indelible mark on the industry. Visionaries today, they are the educators and mentors of the future.” It’s one of the most recognised and prestigious awards in the industry. There’s only a few Australian photographers who have been selected over the years, and I look up to pretty much all of them.

And, somehow, I was selected this year (December 2021).

(Below is the 30 images I had to submit as part of the process - see the announcement on their website here).

Do I think this means I am actually one of the top 30 emerging wedding photographers in the world? Not by a long shot. But, to be chosen for this by people who live and breathe wedding photography is unbelievably humbling and affirming.

If you had of told me 4 years ago, the day I walked out of my engineering firm with literally a hope a prayer and a second hand camera that I would be here 4 years later standing among people I thought (and still think) were leagues above me, I would have told you you were dreaming.

I found out at 5:45 one morning and immediately ran laps around my apartment silently fistpumping because I was so stoked but also didn't want to wake my housemates who then called me a couple of hours later asking what I was so excited about at 6 AM as they heard a few stifled exclamations of joy while I was running around like a madman.

This is all thanks to the stupidly wonderful people who choose to let me document their wedding days every week who trust me to do my thing, even if it’s a little different. Without them none of this would be possible or mean a thing.

It has, oddly enough, only motivated me to push myself harder and further to live up to the designation. I’m not just being humble here when I say I honestly don’t know if I deserve this, but god damn will I do my best to live up to it. I’m just getting started.

I’d love to tell your story with this same level of energy and dedication. Get in touch if you’d like more information or to have a chat.

 

INSTAGRAM @THESALTYSHUTTER

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