Archie Hayes 
The 8th International Wedding Photographer of the Year Awards have officially wrapped up, and the results are nothing short of breathtaking. This year’s competition drew over 2,000 entries from 450 talented photographers across 63 countries, showcasing an incredible range of creativity and storytelling. At the very top of the list stands Grand Winner Bettina Vass, whose stunning image, captured in Iceland’s majestic Katla Ice Cave, stole the show.
The winning photograph was taken during the wedding of Mauli and Christian, a couple who chose one of the world’s most dramatic landscapes for their special day. Bettina’s eye for the extraordinary helped immortalize a moment of pure magic, as the couple exchanged their vows on top of a glacier under the golden glow of a setting sun.
Reflecting on the shoot, Bettina shared:
“When Mauli and Christian told me they wanted to get married on a glacier in Iceland, I knew we were in for something special. The Katla Ice Cave, with its deep blue tones and dramatic ice formations, is an otherworldly location—definitely worth the hike to get there. After capturing their photos inside the cave, we made our way to the top of the glacier, where they exchanged vows with the sun dipping behind the horizon. It was one of those moments you never forget.”
Honoring New Talent: The Emerging Artist Award
In addition to claiming the Grand Winner title, Bettina also earned the inaugural Emerging Artist Award, which celebrates photographers with five or fewer years in the industry. For many newcomers, the early years of building a business can be challenging, and this award shines a light on their passion and perseverance.
Bettina reflected on her journey:
“The first few years of running a photography business are tough—especially when you’re trying to grow your brand and reach clients. Like many others, I balanced another job (teaching kindergarten, in my case) to make ends meet while pursuing my dream. This new award is such a brilliant way to support photographers who are just starting out, and I’m truly honored to be recognized among so many other talented artists.”
A Word from the Awards Curator
Luke Simon, curator of the International Wedding Photographer of the Year Awards, highlighted the remarkable growth of this year’s competition:
“The talent in the wedding photography industry is phenomenal, and this year’s entries were our largest to date. We had a 50% increase in photographers submitting their work and a 25% rise in overall entries. It’s inspiring to see how the industry continues to evolve and push creative boundaries year after year.”
Luke also praised the sponsors whose contributions made the awards possible, including Pic-Time, Narrative, Holdfast Gear, Koi Knives, Prograde Digital, Imagen-Ai, Studio Ninja, Wedding Workflows, and Harlowe.
The 2024 Category Winners
Alongside Bettina’s win, the competition celebrated the best across several categories:
- Epic Location: Bettina Vass
- Dance-Floor/Party Time: Ewelina Puk
- From Above/Aerial: Yamil Tellitud
- Couple Portrait: Andri Tei
- Engagement/Pre-Wedding: Tinted Photography
- Solo Portrait: Hollie Mateer
- Black and White: Kemran Shiraliev
- I-Do Crew: Christopher Perkins
- Single Capture/Reportage: Hollie Mateer
- Break the Rules: Ted Kim
- Lit!: Kemran Shiraliev
- Emerging Artist: Bettina Vass
This year’s winners remind us why wedding photography is such a powerful art form. Each image tells a unique story, capturing fleeting moments of love, joy, and celebration in unforgettable ways. To see all the category winners and the Top 15 finalists, be sure to check out the official competition page.
A huge congratulations to all the photographers who entered—your talent and vision continue to inspire the industry.
