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International Photography Competition Results

I made the finals!

By Ashleigh Cropper

April 3^rd, 2017

Shoot & Share Competition Results

Shoot & Share is an international photography competition held each year before the crazy, busy season takes off. I never entered before, but this year I thought why not?! I felt like I was blindly walking into this not sure what I was actually getting myself into, but that is what 90% of my business feels like these days, so I went with it!

As a Colorado wedding photographer, I am always up against some of the top, most incredible photographers you can find anywhere! I even heard a statistic that after NYC, Denver metro area has the most photographers (and trust me, I believe it!)

I was able to enter 50 images into the competition. I did a mix of some of my favorites from 2016 (they must be taken within the year), some of my clients' favorites, and then more emotion filled images.

With 332,768 images submitted (!) I pretty much went on my way this past month, and put the contest in the back of my mind. Then booking season with couples came around and I REALLY forgot about it! I got an email one night saying, "you are a FINALIST!" What?! This was my first year...there is no way...there were sooooo many images!

Well not only did I have an image make the finals, but I have numerous runner-ups that were in the top 10%-20% of all the images submitted! What I love about this contest is that anyone can go and participate, from professionals to those learning.

Anyway, you ready for the RESULTS?!

Without further ado... here is the image that made the finals!

International Photography Competition Results

Some quick backstory on this image. I flew to Oregon for a wedding this summer and photographed this sweet couple at a Tipi resort in the thick forest! It was so magical and an incredible day. I quickly saw that the bride's family was so close and the wedding was full of emotion as their oldest daughter was getting married.

After the father-daughter dance, everyone joined in. Toward the end of the song, the bride's family came together and shared a moment. This was that moment. It is so dear, tender, and expresses those feelings a family has as a big step forward is taken in their daughter's life. It isn't a "good-bye" but it is a recognition that she is now starting her own family.

You can see in the background some other families come together at the end and are giving a big huge to their kids. It is almost a foreshadowing of the future. There are many layers to this image and it quickly became a favorite of mine during the year.

Top 10-20%

Below are just a few of the images that placed in the top 10-20%!

This was a really good learning experience for me, and something I have noticed as photographer.

1) Candid moments are where it's at! My couples always love the images where it feels like a little sneak peek into their day, and I do to! Everyone who voted clearly does as well. Inviting others to feel those moments through an image, and share that, is well... priceless (I know cliche.) I think it is what makes photography so magical. You feel as if you are their and YOU get to be a part of something so special.

2) I have been working so hard to wait for those "in-between moments" this past year. I tell everyone I work with that I will not be "posing" them but rather "directing" them. I give prompts, activities, games, and movements to do. I never want anyone to just be still. And everything below in those images are when my diligence to learn how to direct over the years came to light.

I am so grateful I entered this competition! And, I have to add, I am honored that I made it to the finals! Can't wait to enter and see what happens with my 2017 moments!