I’m proud to share that I’m a WedAward Collection 134 winner, with four of my wedding photographs selected for this international collection. Collection 134 features 103 selected photographs from photographers representing nine countries, and I’m grateful to have four images included.
Two of these photographs, “A Kiss in the Rain” and “A Study in Shape and Light,” were also selected for Wedisson Collection 139. Having both images recognized by two separate international wedding photography competitions makes this collection especially meaningful.
As a New Jersey wedding photographer who also serves Orlando and couples throughout Florida, these awards matter because each selected photograph reflects a different part of my work. Together, they show creative portraiture, careful composition, strong lighting, and the ability to work with whatever a wedding day brings, including rain.
WedAward Collection 134 at a Glance
🌎 9 countries participated
📸 103 photographs were selected
⭐ 13 photographs received Editor’s Choice
🏆 3 photographs received Exceptional Choice
🎉 4 selected photographs were created by Nicholas Yee Photography
🌟 2 of the 4 photographs were also selected for Wedisson Collection 139
What Is WedAward?
WedAward is an international wedding photography community that holds monthly competitions. Photographers submit their work for consideration, and a jury and editorial team choose the photographs featured in each collection.
Every selected photograph earns points toward WedAward’s annual photographer ranking. Collection 134 also marks the beginning of the organization’s 2026–2027 competition year.
Having work recognized in an international collection is meaningful because each image is considered alongside photography created in different countries, venues, lighting conditions, and visual styles.
This collection adds four more photographs to my history with WedAward, which includes Top 10 recognition in both 2023 and 2024. You can view more of my recognized work on my official WedAward profile.
Why Four Winning Images Matter
One selected photograph is an honor. Having four photographs recognized in the same collection means even more because these images are not variations of one idea.
One was created outdoors at night in heavy rain. Another documents the bride surrounded by the people helping her get ready. The third is a fashion-forward couple’s portrait shaped by texture and lighting. The fourth uses reflections and foreground elements to turn a quiet portrait into something layered.
Each photograph required a different approach. Together, they show the range I want couples to find in their wedding photography: strong portraits, meaningful interactions, creative choices, and images that respond to the setting instead of forcing every wedding into the same formula.
The additional recognition from Wedisson for two of these photographs reinforces what makes this group so meaningful. “A Kiss in the Rain” and “A Study in Shape and Light” stood out in two independent international collections, each with its own selection process.
A Kiss in the Rain
The first winning photograph shows a bride and groom kissing outside a grand stone entrance as rain falls around them.
Rather than trying to hide the weather, the rain became part of the photograph. Backlighting makes every drop visible, while the wet pavement reflects the light beneath the couple. The architecture creates a strong frame around them, and their long shadow leads the eye directly into the center.
Rain can change the plans for a wedding day, but it can also create opportunities that would not exist under clear skies. This photograph depended on lighting, positioning, and being willing to work with the conditions in front of us.
The result feels dramatic without losing sight of the couple. Even with the building, rain, and lighting surrounding them, the kiss remains the clear focus.
“A Kiss in the Rain” was selected for both WedAward Collection 134 and Wedisson Collection 139. Having the same photograph recognized by two international wedding photography competitions is an incredible honor.
The Veil Takes Shape
Photographed in black and white, the second image shows a bride standing beneath a crystal chandelier while members of her bridal party arrange her lace veil and train around her.
The dark wood-paneled room creates a strong contrast against the bride’s gown. Her bridal party forms a loose circle around her, with each person contributing to the shape of the veil while the bride remains still at the center.
What stands out to me is the balance between portraiture and storytelling. It is a composed image, but it also documents something familiar from the beginning of a wedding day: the people closest to the bride helping with the final details before everything moves forward.
Removing the color places more attention on the expressions, the lace, the chandelier, and the relationship between everyone in the room.
A Study in Shape and Light
The third selected image is a more editorial wedding portrait. The bride and groom are seated outdoors, surrounded by the full layers of the bride’s tulle gown.
The gown becomes part of the composition, creating shape and movement around both people. Its light texture contrasts with the groom’s structured brown suit and the darker ground beneath them.
Their direct expressions give the portrait its confidence. Neither person gets lost in the styling, even though the dress, lighting, and pose all contribute to the impact of the photograph.
Creative wedding portraits work best when the visual decisions support the people in the frame. The lighting and composition may be deliberate, but the couple still needs to feel like the center of the image.
“A Study in Shape and Light” was also selected for both WedAward Collection 134 and Wedisson Collection 139. Its recognition in two separate collections makes it one of the most awarded images in this group.
Framed in Reflection
The fourth photograph shows a bride and groom embracing inside a wood-paneled library. Foreground blur and prismatic reflections repeat parts of the couple throughout the frame.
The main portrait remains clear, while the surrounding reflections reveal different angles of the bride, her veil, and the couple’s interaction. The warm wood, bookshelves, and soft light give the image depth without competing with them.
I enjoy looking for ways to use what is already present in a room. Mirrors, glass, doorways, and foreground objects can all change how a familiar space appears in a photograph.
In this case, the reflections create a layered portrait that invites a second look. There is the main interaction between the couple, but there are also smaller versions of that interaction appearing around them.
What Award-Winning Photography Means for My Couples
Awards are meaningful, but couples need more than a handful of strong portfolio images. They need a photographer who can work through changing weather, difficult lighting, busy schedules, and the unexpected parts of a wedding day.
That preparation begins before the wedding. It includes learning what matters to each couple, understanding the venue, helping build a practical photography timeline, and being ready to adjust when conditions change.
You can learn more about the planning and support included in the Nicholas Yee Photography wedding experience.
My approach combines creative portraiture with documentary coverage. I will provide direction when a photograph needs structure, then step back when the people and energy of the day should take over.
The goal is not simply to produce one award-winning photograph. It is to create a complete collection of images that helps each couple remember their wedding as a whole.
Award-Winning Wedding Photography in New Jersey and Florida
Based in New Jersey and also serving Orlando, I photograph weddings throughout New Jersey and Florida, along with destination celebrations.
Whether the day includes a dark historic interior, an outdoor portrait session, changing weather, or a crowded reception, I approach it with the same attention to people, light, timing, and composition.
Explore my New Jersey and Florida wedding photography portfolio to see more celebrations and creative portraiture. You can also visit the Nicholas Yee Photography blog for recent weddings, venue features, and planning resources.
Planning a Wedding in New Jersey or Florida?
If you are looking for an award-winning New Jersey wedding photographer or Florida wedding photographer who brings creativity, preparation, and personal attention to each celebration, I would love to hear what you are planning.
Inquire with Nicholas Yee Photography to share your date, venue, and wedding plans.
