COVID 19 and a Few WPJA Documentary Award Winners for 1st Quarter 2020

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2020 has been a difficult year for wedding photographers, and for wedding vendors in general. COVID-19 and the restrictions that have been put into place to try to stop the spread of the virus have caused people to cancel or postpone their weddings, or to drastically downsize their weddings.

As a result the Wedding Photojournalist Association changed the usual way they conduct contests. Rather than begin the regular documentary contests in April, they postponed the first contest deadline until the first of September. They also added a special contest for Wed Elopement stories.

With business limping along due to the slow down in weddings and the complete collapse of the corporate event industry, I’ve had extra time to look through my photographs searching for potential winners. At times, I must admit, I’ve become far too obsessed with finding winners in the midst of the chaos.

Today, I am honored to report that my obsession paid off. I won 6 documentary awards for photos entered into the first quarter 2020 WPJA Quarter.

Here are three.

Mississippi Wedding Photographer
COVID-19-wedding-Atlanta
Tucker wedding photographer


The last photo is part of a WedElope award winning series.

I am honored.

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Cindy Brown

I'm an Atlanta wedding photographer who takes soulful, quirky and honest photos ...

I'm also an adventurous traveler and all-round nerd. I love to hike with my beagle/cattle dog Roux and best friend/spouse.

I was born in Atlanta, moved around a lot--30 cities and 5 states--and then came back.

After graduating from the Art Institute of Atlanta, I took a job at asmall newspaper in south Georgia, where I photographedhospital teas, pecan farmers, and beauty queens.

I photographed a biker funeral, death penalty protests andTed Bundy while interning with the Associated Press.

While a photographer for two dailies in Florida, I photographed Ronald Reagan, a train derailment and the dedication of a screened-in porch.

An unexpected life turn took me to Vermont where I fell in love with Bernie Sanders and on to Indiana, where I edited photos for a major daily, and nerded out getting a master’s and PhD.

After teaching photojournalism at colleges and universities in Florida, Indiana and Mississippi, I returned to Atlanta to earn myfifth degree--a Master's of Divinity.

My passion for storytelling with my camera and my interest in religious diversity led my to the field of wedding photojournalism.

I have documented weddings large and small, Unitarian and Pagan, indoors and out, Christian and Muslim, in backyards and in churches. The most exotic wedding I have photographed took place in Mexico and was officiated by aMayan shaman.

When I'm not photographing weddings, portraits or corporate events, I work on personal photo projects, visit friends in amemory-care home, and volunteer at a recovery center.

Emory Conference Center Wedding, Small and Sweet

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Small weddings are often my favorites. Laid back and intimate, like Shannon and Joel's Sunday wedding at the Emory Conference Center, small weddings bring together important friends and family in a show of support for a couple entering into wedded bliss.

Here are a few favorites from this Jewish wedding celebration filled with thoughtful rituals, symbolizing the exquisiteness of the relation between husband and wife, as well as their promises to each other and to the Jewish people.

Shannon and Joel's children set up the hoopah.

Shannon and Joel's children set up the hoopah.

Shannon and Joel are wrapped in a prayer shawl by their rabbi.

Shannon and Joel are wrapped in a prayer shawl by their rabbi.

Drinking wine during the ceremony.

Drinking wine during the ceremony.

Joel Breaks the glass.

Joel Breaks the glass.

A Family Member enjoys the reception.

A Family Member enjoys the reception.

Photography by Cindy Brown | C Brown Photo

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Cindy Brown

I'm an Atlanta wedding photographer who takes soulful, quirky and honest photos ...

I'm also an adventurous traveler and all-round nerd. I love to hike with my beagle/cattle dog Roux and best friend/spouse.

I was born in Atlanta, moved around a lot--30 cities and 5 states--and then came back.

After graduating from the Art Institute of Atlanta, I took a job at asmall newspaper in south Georgia, where I photographedhospital teas, pecan farmers, and beauty queens.

I photographed a biker funeral, death penalty protests andTed Bundy while interning with the Associated Press.

While a photographer for two dailies in Florida, I photographed Ronald Reagan, a train derailment and the dedication of a screened-in porch.

An unexpected life turn took me to Vermont where I fell in love with Bernie Sanders and on to Indiana, where I edited photos for a major daily, and nerded out getting a master’s and PhD.

After teaching photojournalism at colleges and universities in Florida, Indiana and Mississippi, I returned to Atlanta to earn myfifth degree--a Master's of Divinity.

My passion for storytelling with my camera and my interest in religious diversity led my to the field of wedding photojournalism.

I have documented weddings large and small, Unitarian and Pagan, indoors and out, Christian and Muslim, in backyards and in churches. The most exotic wedding I have photographed took place in Mexico and was officiated by aMayan shaman.

When I'm not photographing weddings, portraits or corporate events, I work on personal photo projects, visit friends in amemory-care home, and volunteer at a recovery center.

Emory Conference Center Wedding, Small and Sweet

/

Small weddings are often my favorites. Laid back and intimate, like Shannon and Joel's Sunday wedding at the Emory Conference Center, small weddings bring together important friends and family in a show of support for a couple entering into wedded bliss. Here are a few favorites from this Jewish wedding celebration filled with thoughtful rituals, symbolizing the exquisiteness of the relation between husband and wife, as well as their promises to each other and to the Jewish people.

preparing the hoopah for Shannon and Joel's Emory Conference Center Wedding

preparing the hoopah for Shannon and Joel's Emory Conference Center Wedding

SHannon and Joel wrapped in the tallit.

SHannon and Joel wrapped in the tallit.

Shannon and Joel share a cup of wine.

Shannon and Joel share a cup of wine.

breaking the wine glass.

breaking the wine glass.

Enjoying the reception at the Emory Conference Center Wedding

Enjoying the reception at the Emory Conference Center Wedding

/ / Comment
, , ,

Cindy Brown

I'm an Atlanta wedding photographer who takes soulful, quirky and honest photos ...

I'm also an adventurous traveler and all-round nerd. I love to hike with my beagle/cattle dog Roux and best friend/spouse.

I was born in Atlanta, moved around a lot--30 cities and 5 states--and then came back.

After graduating from the Art Institute of Atlanta, I took a job at asmall newspaper in south Georgia, where I photographedhospital teas, pecan farmers, and beauty queens.

I photographed a biker funeral, death penalty protests andTed Bundy while interning with the Associated Press.

While a photographer for two dailies in Florida, I photographed Ronald Reagan, a train derailment and the dedication of a screened-in porch.

An unexpected life turn took me to Vermont where I fell in love with Bernie Sanders and on to Indiana, where I edited photos for a major daily, and nerded out getting a master’s and PhD.

After teaching photojournalism at colleges and universities in Florida, Indiana and Mississippi, I returned to Atlanta to earn myfifth degree--a Master's of Divinity.

My passion for storytelling with my camera and my interest in religious diversity led my to the field of wedding photojournalism.

I have documented weddings large and small, Unitarian and Pagan, indoors and out, Christian and Muslim, in backyards and in churches. The most exotic wedding I have photographed took place in Mexico and was officiated by aMayan shaman.

When I'm not photographing weddings, portraits or corporate events, I work on personal photo projects, visit friends in amemory-care home, and volunteer at a recovery center.