More than 120 photographers sent pictures from 10 countries and 5 continents this time! And out of over 1300 pictures, only a small part received an award (less than 10%). That just means that the competition was fierce, and the winners really earned their trophies.

But let's focus on the positive side, shall we? We can enjoy some really unique moments, filled with emotion, great light, and perfect composition. The bride and the groom are the stars of the show, of course, but we can also find friends, family, and many other elements that make these pictures truly special. It's just LIFE, after all! And we love capturing it in all its beauty and chaos.

Bored Panda has reached out to the author of the post, Martino Buzzi, who is also the director of the FdB Awards. Firstly we wanted him to remind us of the criteria and factors being considered while choosing the winners of the competition. Martino told us: “The photos are evaluated by three international judges following three criteria: Technical execution, artistic component, and emotional impact. The technical criteria are all about taking a perfect image, well focused and exposed with the right amount of definition. The artistic criteria is composition, light, and the ability to use photographic language to communicate with the viewer. The emotional impact is about how much emotion there is in the photo.”

“These criteria ensure that the winning photos not only display technical skill but also evoke an emotional response from the viewer. Some additional information that may be helpful to understand the judging process of photography competitions is that judges may also consider the originality and creativity of the photo, as well as its relevance to the competition's theme or category.”

“Overall, participating in a photography competition can be a great way to showcase your skills and gain recognition in the photography community. Just remember to carefully review the competition rules and criteria before submitting your work, and don't be discouraged if you don't win. There's always room for improvement and growth as a photographer.”

Next, Martino told us more about new trends in wedding photography he observed: “We are seeing some really good images in the last few years in wedding photography. Some new trends are photojournalism, vintage photo style, and elegant vertical Instagram-style images. As wedding photography has evolved over the years, there have been numerous trends that have come and gone. However, in recent years, some of the most popular styles have emerged."

Martino wanted to tell us a little bit more about each one of the current trends, starting with photojournalism. He said: “Photojournalism has become increasingly popular in wedding photography. This style is all about capturing candid, spontaneous moments as they happen, rather than staging shots. It allows the photographer to tell the story of the wedding day in a way that feels authentic and natural.

Vintage photo style has also been a trend in recent years. This style often involves using filters and editing techniques to create a nostalgic, timeless feel to the photos. It can be a great option for couples who want a classic, romantic look to their wedding photos.

Elegant vertical Instagram-style images have become increasingly popular as well. These images are typically shot in a portrait orientation, which is perfect for sharing on social media platforms like Instagram. They often feature the bride and groom in a stylish, modern pose, with a focus on the details and setting of the wedding.

Overall, the wedding photography trends of recent years have brought a lot of creativity and excitement to the industry. Whether you prefer a classic or more modern style, there is sure to be a photographer out there who can capture your special day in a way that feels perfect for you.”

We were very curious if there was any specific photo that caught Martino’s attention in this round of the competition. He revealed that, indeed, there was a shot that he really liked: “One of my favorite photos in this round is one of a bride seen in a mirror together with a girl and an older woman (her mother, maybe). This photo by Alberto Ramirez got an award and is one of my favorites in this round. The image looks like it was taken in a movie, the colors and the expression of the bride are just amazing. But of course, there are many other ones I like.”

Then we wanted to know if traditional wedding photography is still as popular as it used to be, or maybe nowadays couples tend to choose some alternative options. Martino said: “As more and more couples opt for unique wedding experiences, traditional wedding photography is no longer the only option available. Modern photography styles are changing the wedding photography scene. The brides are looking to have some unique images to remember their big day and so traditional wedding photo is no longer an option if you want to show you are a modern and unique bride.”

FdB Awards are very popular and attract many photographers from all around the world. We wanted Martino to share some tips and advice for future contestants. He told us: “For the photographers who are thinking about submitting photos to the next round, I would recommend choosing your favorite pictures, keeping in mind the judges are looking at more than 1000 photos and your image must have something different and unique and should grab the judges' attention. Editing is really important in this sense. Black and white work quite well if you have a strong composition. Try to avoid classical images.”

Lastly, Martino wanted to share with Bored Panda readers that: “I am now working together with some of the most experienced photographers in our group to offer photo critiques: we encourage photographers to submit their photos to receive a sincere critique from other colleagues. This process is very useful to correct errors and understand another point of view. These critiques are a great way to improve creativity.”