In the fiercely contested category of Individual Photos, the spotlight shines brightly on the immensely talented Italian photographer Simona Cancelli. Her exceptional eye for detail and an innate ability to capture the essence of love have earned her the coveted title, with a remarkable total of 16 awarded photographs across the four rounds of the competition.

We got in touch with Simona Cancelli to ask some questions about her work, often described as visual storytelling. We wanted to know how the photographer creates a narrative within a single photograph to capture the essence of love. Simona shared with us: “It is difficult but at the same time natural to create a continuous visual storytelling of the entire wedding. You have to rush forward almost without thinking about whether to tell everything and everyone, trying to capture every single moment of the wedding day and all its nuances (guests, suppliers, the emotions of the spouses, etc.). This means approximately 10,000 / 15,000 photos in an event.

At the same time, it is necessary to look for effective photos (or WOW photos!) during the day (even by constructing them) as a flashy expression that can strike the couple more and that is useful to the photographer for his own promotion or for participating in competitions.”

Simona Cancelli’s work is a testament to the power of visual storytelling. Each photograph is a narrative in itself, weaving together the emotions, joy, and unique moments that define a wedding day. From intimate close-ups to sweeping vistas, her portfolio showcases a mastery of the craft that resonates with both the judges and the audience.

Asked if there are any particular aspects of wedding photography that Cancelli believes make a photo stand out, she told us: “The aspects of wedding photography that make a photo stand out are certainly the emotions, the light and the connection between people: the father who brings his daughter to the altar, a hug with friends, the tears and emotions with relatives. These elements give a good initial boost to the photographic process.”

We were wondering if Simona has some favorite wedding photos she’s taken, and if so, what makes them special. We learned that: “There is never a favorite photo of the season or career (there are favorite weddings). When you know you have a strong or emotional photo in your hands, you archive it, publish it, and print it for your studio but you already have to be ready to start again with a new service...”

Lastly, asked to give some advice to aspiring wedding photographers, especially in terms of capturing the essence of love, Simona shared with us: “The advice I give to aspiring wedding photographers is to attend lots of workshops (I attend 3-4 a year), nourish yourself with photography, and seek collaborations with lots of photographers. This will definitely grow from year to year.”

The Premios FdB not only celebrates individual talent but also serves as a global platform fostering cross-cultural appreciation for the art of wedding photography. The winning entries transport us to diverse landscapes and cultures, highlighting the universal language of love that transcends borders.

As we congratulate Simona Cancelli and all the winners of the 2023 Premios FdB, we look forward to another year of pushing the boundaries of creativity and capturing the timeless essence of love in all its forms. These winning photographs not only freeze moments in time but also serve as a testament to the enduring power of love, making us believe in the magic that unfolds within the frames of a wedding album.