Announcing the 2021 Wedding Photo of the year contest

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  • Sarah Ricardo

 

2021 Wedding Photo of the year contest

Each and every year I run a little bit of a contest for all the married couples I covered their wedding for in the previous year. I ask for each couple I was their wedding photographer for to select a single favourite photo from all of the wedding photos I took on their day and put them up for vote to win the title of ‘SvenStudios 2021 wedding photo of the year’.

Usually I try to run this contest much earlier in the year – and certainly not mid year, however this past 6 months have been absolutely insane in the wedding service industry – I personally have covered as many weddings as I would usually have had in a whole 12 months! This was of course all due to the roll-on effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, causing everyone to postpone their weddings to around the same time as everyone else! As a result I’ve been lagging behind a bit with editing, not just the weddings I covered at the end of 2020, but also the 2021 weddings I had to edit and get back as fast as I could.

As with any of my wedding photo of the year contests, I always keep completely hands off with selecting any of the images, allowing my wedded couples to select their own personal favourite photos, or none at all! This means that these images are not necessarily the same images I would have chosen if I were to do the same thing when looking at their images. If you were interested in what images I would have chosen however I’ve put together a simple slideshow video of some of my favourite images from each of the weddings I have covered in 2020.

To entice as many people to vote as possible, I also always offer a AU$100 cash prize to one random voter chosen once voting has ended. I record and vette each vote as they come in and have a rather sophisticated anti-duplicate detection system in place so as to deter any cheating or duplicate voting to keep things fair. To make things a little more interesting this year, I’m also going to add an additional entry into this $100 draw for each person who shares their vote on their social media!

Keep in mind you do not need to share on your social media in order to submit a vote as not everyone has social media accounts.

The owner of the winning photo will recieve a large framed print or perspex mounted print of their image – of if they have already had one printed of their favourite image – of another of their choice.

In past contests, and I’m sure it will be the same in the 2021 wedding photo of the year contest, the winning image has been not only the most voted on, but also the most shared on social media – remember every individual vote, and sharing individual that is recorded goes into the draw to win a simple $100, so after voting, share your favourite photo on facebook to support it as much as possible!

Voting starts in
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Click here to vote and win $100!

Voting opens 1/7/2021

 

2021 Wedding Photo of the year contest entries

Paula Andrew
Kasia ben
Kirsty Andrew
Passionate kiss in between wedding cars
Nikki Trenton
Jayne Pete
Kate John
Sarah Ricardo
Jenna John
Letichia Carrie
Alice Dion
Georgia Nick

National Wine Center Wedding – Pat & Kat

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  • Pat & Kat

    National Wine Center Wedding

    bride and groom leaning against the gate house

Pat and Kat held a stunning National Wine Center wedding early in April surrounded by delightful family and friends who all made sure that Pat and Kat had an absolute blast on their big day!

The sun was shining, the Adelaide Botanic Gardens looked amazing and the National Wine Center Wedding staff were top notch! They even helped me find a park right outside – which is often very tricky around the Botanic Gardens!

Preparation

I started out the day at Patrick’s place of preparation with his groomsmen and his parents. They were all in good spirits, with Patrick’s parents super happy to be as helpful as possible!

Wedding rings on grooms tie
Cufflinks lined up
Smiling groom staring at camera
Groomsmen getting ready on couch
Through the doorway at groom getting ready
Mum looking on proudly
Groom staring out window
Dad helping son put on tie
Mum helping son get ready
Smiling Mum as she helps with tie
groomsmen ready to roll
Groom looking great in the ally

It was a treat to head to Katerina’s place of preparation – what a stunning house almost on the waterfront at Semaphore! I was super lucky to get a park as the entire area is always swarming with beach goers, but I lucked out right outside the house!

Inside there was a hive of activity, from the bridesmaids fussing about trying to fix broken earrings to little babies being fed by grandparents, and of course the bride herself getting herself ready with makeup, and hair.

The house afforded quite a few nice vantage points to take some lovely photos – and we simply ran out of time using them all!

Wedding dress reflected in mirror
Wedding dress hanging at end of hall
Bride walking towards her wedding dress
Perfume
Hugs with bridesmaid
bride having her makeup done
bride having her makeup done smiling
bridesmaids helping with earrings
bridesmaids having fun in gown
OMG an engagement ring
Bridesmaids seeing bride in dress
bridesmaids helping sort out wedding dress
bridal party together
bride standing in front of front door in wedding gown
Finishing touches on brides hair
Bride looking in mirror as Dad looks on

National Wine Center Wedding Ceremony

Pat and Kat’s National Wine Center wedding ceremony took place on the grassy area just beyond the main bulding, while it was a very sunny day, the surrounding foliage of the bushy trees provided for quite a bit of shade for the ceremony and guests and provided a lovely green backdrop for all their photos.

Groom waiting patiently under the trees
groom and groomsmen lined up at front of ceremony
Bride and father walking towards ceremony
Bride approaching ceremony at National Wine Center
grooms first look at the National Wine Center
bride and groom holding hands during ceremony
National Wine Center wedding ceremony
Bride looking at her groom during the ceremony
Bride turned towards groom
national Wine Center Wedding Ceremony under sun
Groom reading his vows
Exchanging wedding rings at the wedding ceremony
First kiss at the National Wine Center wedding
Bride and groom newly wed
Bride and groom under petals
bride and groom showing off their wedding rings

Adelaide Botanic Gardens Photo Shoot

As the National Wine Center shares a border with the Adelaide Botanic Gardens, I often like to refer to the venue as the Adelaide Botanic Garden’s unofficial 10th ceremony location where there are normally 9 within the gardens proper. As such we spent a little while walking about the Gardens for glamour photos – even venturing into the nearby Botanic Park to make use of the stunning moreton bay fig trees.

National Wine Center Wedding Photo
bride and grom under hollowed out foliage
Passionate kiss in the Adelaide Botanic Gardens
bridal party selfy
bridal party surrounding a tree
Closeup of wedding rings on hands
Sitting on a bench together under a tree
Wedding photo in the Adelaide Botanic Gardens
Bridal party together in the botanic gardens
bride and groom leaning against the gate house
Together sitting on the roots of a large fig tree
Enjoying the yellow colours of leaves in Botanic Park
Botanic Park wedding photo
Standing together near a large fig tree
bride and grrom under the veil together
Bride and groom leaning against a fig tree
Bride and groom amongst the Adelaide Botanic Gardens
bride and groom in front of a doorway
Sunset in the Adelaide Botanic Gardens
Closeup of bride and groom amongst the trees

National Wine Center Wedding Reception

Pat and Kat held their National Wine Center wedding reception in the Exhibition hall, on the second story of the wine center. The appeal of this particular function space for a wedding reception is the wide open, but segmented spaces for each part of the wedding reception. As you walk in the main doors, there is the bar and where I set up my photobooth alongside the tables for gifts, and other wedding knick knacks, then there is a central area for the dance floor, and finally the seating areas with ample room for hundreds of guests.

The walls of the exhibition hall is lined with wine bottles and iinteresting tidbits on the history of wine making in South Australia and Australia as a whole. It’s a very nice space which oozes elegance and formality.

One fun thing that Pat and Kat decided to do for their wedding that was quite unique was create a bit of a ‘couple’s logo’. They used their graphic design skills to produce a logo based on their P & K initials which they then used on pretty much everything to do with their wedding day – from invites, cufflinks, photobooth printouts, even a giant decal the National Wine Center had placed on their dance floor. I thought it was pretty awesome, and a very neat way to personalise everything in a simple, but smart way.

Towards the end of the evening we managed to duck out to the main entrance to the National Wine Center to use from smoke in a can and lights to take some after dark photos, and Pat and Kat also organised some sparklers for a sparkler send off which was pretty enat walking down that long, curving walkway!

PK decal on dancefloor
Wedding cake on display
bride and groom entering National Wine Center wedding reception
bride and groom cutting their wedding cake
Guests enjoying the photobooth
Succulant
Speech giver
Bridal party at head table
Bridesmaid having fun
First dance closeup
Groom concentrating on first dance
National Wine Center Wedding Photography
Kiss on the dance floor after first dance
Father daughter dance
Hugs after Daddy daughter dance
Starting the dancing off
Guests having fun on the dance floor
Smokey wedding photo at National Wine Center Wedding
National Wine Center Werdding photo with smoke
Dancing guests green light
Getting the bride to dance more
Exit under sparklers
National wine center wedding Exit under sparklers

Thanks so much to Pat and Kat for having me be your wedding photographer! I had a great day and I hope you guys enjoy your photos!

Cruising Yacht Club of SA Wedding – Emily & Angel

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  • Emily & Angel

    Cruising Yacht Club of SA Wedding

    Walking together under Grange jetty

Emily and Angel held their lovely intimate wedding ceremony at the the Cruising Yacht Club of SA. The prestige of this venue is apparent as soon as you arrive as you’re surrounded by multi million dollar yachts in a stunning location! I was asked to be their wedding photographer for a few hours, seeing me with them for their preparation, through to the first parts of their early reception dinner.

Preparation

Emily and Angel chose to be prepared on the same location, together at a property not far from the Cruising Yacht Club. The atmosphere was reasonably laid back with family and freinds also on site fussing about, preparing lunch, or getting ready while watching a Chinese action movie on the TV in the background. I was treated to some scrumptous home made food while there, and it was very much appreciated!

As Emily and Angel were being prepared at the same lcoation they could share makeup artists and hairdressers, without having them travel to multiple locations in the morning – this made everything run much smoother than what I have experienced in the past, and everyone was ready to leave, and head to the ceremony quite early.

Girls looking on
Wedding ring box
bride looking out windows
Smiling
Putting on necklace
Putting on earrings
Emily and Angel before their ceremony
Standing next to painting
Both brides sitting in makeup chairs
Holding hands
Close up of wedding shoes
Smiling brides
putting on makeup
Playing with veil
Looking pretty
Looking out window

Cruising Yacht Club of SA Wedding Ceremony

The Cruising Yacht club of SA is a well kept secret of Adelaide wedding venues, nestled along the shores of the north-western Adelaide beaches, the marina and club rooms are hard to spot unless you are looking out for the venue as you drive past. The main draw of the venue for weddings would be the views of the marina and exclusivity of the space provided – including gated car parking and a hidden wedding ceremony spot.

The wedding ceremony location set up at the Cruising Yacht Club of SA is a small, dedicated area set off to the side of the marina, shaded by cloth sails and headlined by an impressive concrete circular station where the bridal couple stands during the ceremony. Emily and Angel’s wedding ceremony was held bilingually in both English and Chinese for the benefit of all those in attendance and made everyone smile with it’s innate sweetness and beauty.

Wedding sign
Brides arriving
Brides approaching altar
Under the Cruising yacht club of SA’s wedding circle
Cruising Tacht Club of SA wedding
Standing together in front of family and friends
Wedding ceremony at Cruising Yacht Club of SA
Smiling brides
Ring bearer
Exchanging wedding bands
First kiss at Cruising Yacht CLub of SA
Wedding ceremony ending
Bridal exit

Glamour Photos

After the ceremony and family photos which we held just behind where the wedding ceremony took place, we first used the Cruising Yacht Club of SA’s lovely marina lined with huge yachts to take some glamour photos. Emily and Angel had even arranged to use the bow of one of the yachts to have photos done, which was wonderfully unique. We then went on a short drive to Grange beach where we used the lovely sand dunes and jetty for more shots, while also making use of the large kites that were being flown that day as a backdrop.

Heading towards the yachts
In the Cruising Yacht club of SA’s marinia
Hugging brides
brides on yacht
Cruising yacht club of SA marina
Bouquet in sand
brides on the beach together
Brides standing together in sand dunes
Together under Grange Jetty
Walking together under Grange jetty
Celebrating under Grange Jetty
Married couple

Cruising Yacht Club of SA Wedding Reception

The Cruising Yacht club of SA has a number of different function rooms to choose from when holding a wedding ceremony. As Emily and Angel’s wedding party wasn’t on the large side, they opted to make use of the smaller of the available areas for their wedding reception. It was a nice space that boasted sweeping views of the marina and all the boats. The highlight of their party I feel was their duel bouquet toss, where they both threw their bouquet at the same time. it’s always fun when everyone joins in for that! WHile I wasn’t there for their entire reception, the atmosphere was friendly, laid back and felt very family friendly, with evertyone enjoying themselves and listening to speeches.

Wedding decor
One of the Cruising Yacht Club of SA’s function rooms
Table center piece
Wedding cake
Wedding favours
Cutting the cake together
Before the double bouquet toss
Bouquet toss
Flower girl
Emily and Angel together
Bridal party at the head table

Thanks go out ot Emily and Angel for having me as their wedding photographer!

Seagrass Long Point Wedding – Hobart – Georgia & Matt

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  • Georgia & Matt

    Seagrass Long Point Wedding

    Waterfall wedding photography Hobart

Heading down to Hobart is always a treat, and heading down to capture some Hobart wedding photography is even better! – particularly when the bridal couple are as keen as I am to create some awesome photography! Georgia and Matt’s Seagrass Long Point wedding had us galavanting through waterfalls, climbing mountains, destroying cameras and battling the wind all to create some awesome memories!

I had an absolute blast!

First Look Photoshoot

For me ever since Georgia and Matt said they would be keen on having a photoshoot in front of some of Hobart’s local waterfalls, I had been looking forward to heading out there with them with great anticipation!

The day before the wedding at Seagrass Long Point, we met by the beginning of the Cascades track – just behind the Cascade Brewery in order to conduct a bit of a ‘first look’ where Matt sees Georgia for the first time while wearing her dress.

It’s a rare enough occurance that a bride would be keen on getting ready to the extent one does on a wedding day twice in a row in order to have photos done, let along get ready in all her finery, and then traipse through canyons and hike around waterfalls! But I very much thank both Georgia and Matt for making the effort, as I’m very excited about their photos! Even though they did cost me one of my cameras which decided to go for a bit of a swim at one of the waterfalls :/

In the dying light of the afternoon, we made a bee-line to the summit of Mt Wellington to catch what was left of the sunset. Unfortunately it wasnt the best sun set, but we made do with what was available, including getting the lights of Hobart twinkling in the background in some of their shots.

bride waiting for the first look
Approaching her groom
Grooms first look in forest
bride and groom in burnt out tree stump
bride and groom in tree stump
Amongst the Hobart forest
Wellington Park Wedding Photo
Bride and Groom in Wellington park
Wellington park Hobart Wedding
bride and groom amongst the Wellington Park Foliage
Hobarts Secret Falls Wedding Photo
Secret Falls Wedding Photo
Secret Falls Hobart Wedding Photo
Secret Falls Hobart Wedding Photography
Waterfall wedding photography Hobart
Cascades falls wedding photo
Cascades falls wedding photography
Hobart Cascade Falls wedding photo
Hobart Cascade Falls wedding photography
Bride and groom amongst the trees in Hobart
Amongst the trees on the Cascades track
Bride and groom on Mt Wellington
Mt Wellington Wedding photo
Mt Wellington Wedding photography
Bride and groom on a mountain
Mt Wellington Lookout wedding photo
Mt Wellington Lookout wedding photography
Mt Wellington Hobart wedding photography
Mt Wellington Hobart wedding photo

Preparation

The next day, thankfully my swimming camera had decided to come back from the dead which meant I diddnt have to make a mad dash to the camera store!

I began the day with Matt and his groomsmen being prepared at a rather nice bed and breakfast near Taroona – just south of Seagrass Long Point. The main topic of conversation was the rather ‘fun’ COVID restrictions that had caused a headache for some of the travelling guests Georgia and Matt had invited. Georgia and Matt by the way, despite previously living in Hobart, now live in Perth and had also travelled to Hobart as a destination wedding.

wedding rings on table top
Grooms jacket hanging
helping groom with tie in bedroom
Smiling for the camera
Putting on grooms flower
Gift boxes for groomsmen
Groom with entourage

Georgia and her bridesmaids were being prepared at a family home further north in midway point. The house boasted a lovely, open master bedroom which was actually supposed to be the house’s rumpus room so had a huge amount of room to take beautiful, airy photos in.

The girls were all having a grand old time getting ready and reminiscing over their exploits during Georgia’s hen’s night while also taking the time to create some beautiful memories such as having Dad come in for an emotional first look of Georgia’s dress and Mum helping put it on.

Doggo
Engagement ring in the bouquet
Bride bag
Hanging bridesmaids dresses
Girls smiling carryong on
Bride holding back curtains
Bridesmaids having some fun in the curtains
Wedding dress hanging in lit room
Bridesmaids sharing a wine
Bride reaching for the hanging wedding dress
bride family photo
Bride putting on her dress
Helping the bride put on her dress in a well lit room
Dad’s first look
Smiling Mum after first look

Seagrass Long Point Wedding Ceremony

The Seagrass Long Point wedding venue is situated south of the Hobart CBD, slightly further south than the famed wrest point. The area boasts a large public park which looked to be quite popular with the locals, while Georgia and Matt’s ceremony took place on a strip of grass overlooking the River Derwent, or the harbour of Hobart.

Unfortunately the wind was a tad strong, and Georgia and Matt had some trouble adjusting to the sun glaring directly at them, but I think once they turned to look at one another during the ceremony all was well.

Wedding sign on easel
bride approaches in front of Seagrass long Point
Grooms first glimpse
Seagrass long point wedding ceremony
Hobart wedding ceremony
Bride lookingat her groom at Seagrass Long Point
Groom smiling saying his vows
Bridal party lined up behind bride
Exchanging wedding bands in front of Hobart Harbour
First kiss at Seagrass Long Point Wedding Ceremony

Glamour Photos

Directly after the ceremony, and family photos havig been shot using the Seagrass Long Point balcony, we head off around the park a little bit for some glamour photos with the bridal party – as they were not dressed up yesterday when we visited the waterfalls and Mt Wellington.

Celebrating bridesmaids
Drone group shot at Seagrass Long Point Hobart
Bridal party group shot infront of Hobart Harbour
Burred bridal party
Bridal party in Long Point Park
bride and groom leaning against a large tree
Lifting up the bride under a large tree
Bride and groom in foliage tunnel near Seagrass
Bride and groom in foliage tunnel near Seagrass Long Point

Seagrass Long Point Wedding Reception

Georgia and Matt’s Seagrass Long Point wedding reception was set up along two long tables, with a head table at one end of the reception hall, and a dancing area at the other. The reception hall was a lovely intimate affair, overlooking the river from a high vantage point which made the whole space feel rather cozy considering the plummeting temperature outside.

Georgia and Matt’s guests all had a good go on the dance floor, making sure it was being used all night! Was a lot of fun to be a part of!

Inside Seagrass Long Point Wedding Reception
Wedding cake on display on barrel
Bride and Groom entrace at Seagrass
head table at wedding reception
Cutting the cake at Seagrass wedding reception
Bride dancing with bridesmaid
Food on plate
Light painted wedding photo
First dance at Seagrass Long Point wedding
First dance at Seagrass Long Point wedding reception
Dancing guests at wedding
Dancing guests at Seagrass wedding
Groom dancing with nana
guests dancing at Seagrass wedding Hobart
Bride and groom dancing together
Bouquet toss at Seagrass Long Point
Dancing guests at Seagrass wedding Hobart
Kiss before leaving the wedding

Thankyou Georgia and Matt for having me shoot your Seagrass Long Point wedding! It was a beautiful couple of days, and thanks so much for heading out on a cross-country hike in wedding attire!

Kangaroo Island Elopement – Claire & Jacob

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  • Claire & Jacob

    Kanagroo Island Elopement

    Bride and groom in front of Cape Willoughby Lighthouse

Claire and Jacob held a super secret Kangaroo Island Elopement unbeknownst to all their family and friends except for their witnesses! From the moment I met with Claire and Jacob I knew their elopement was going to be a special one, and it certainly turned out to be a fantastic day starting from sunrise on pennashw’s beach, up to Cape Willoughby Lighthouse before finally heading to Pennington bay for their elopement ceremony.

Morning Photoshoot

We began the day at the crack of dawn – hoping for a stunning sunrise to illuminate the sky behind the lovely rocks at Frenchman’s rock. Unfortunately that wasn’t to be with a rather overcast beginning to the morning, we made use of the rock formations anyway, before finally slivers of the sunrise revealed itself towards the end of our time there.

As a result Claire and Jacob’s Kangaroo Island elopement photoshoot began by getting our feet wet a bit, which in my books is the best way to start a day of photo taking! Next stop was scaling cliffs near the Cape Willoughby Lighthouse!

Frenchmans rock wedding photo
Frenchmans rock wedding photography
Holding one another on the beach
Out amongst the Frenchmans rocks
Penneshaw beach sunrise
Kangraoo Island Elopement photoshoot
Penneshaw beach Wedding

Before heading out to the lighthouse however, we made use of the nearby Sculpture trail on Penneshaw beach to take some shots within some of the sculputes and on the lovely suspension bridge cutting across the gully.

The last time I was on Kangaroo Island before Claire and Jacob’s kangaroo island elopement was about 10 years prior, and I had just got into photography then. I ventured out this way myself hoping to capture some stunning landscapes and of course I did so – but that trip allowed me to remember some amazing spots bewteen Penneshaw and Cape Willoughby – including tree lines dirt roads and grass along the sides of some roads! made sure we made use of them.

Kangaroo Island Sculpture trail
Kangaroo Island Sculpture trail Photo
Bride and groom inbetween sculpture
On the side of the road in Kangaroo Island
On the roads in Kangaroo Island
under the trees on Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island road wedding photo

Our time at the Cape Willoughby Lighthouse was the moment I was most looking forward to before heading out for Claire and Jacob’s elopement. I remembered there was an amazing winding road leading to the lighthouse itself, and also some stunningly tall cliffs whcih I was keen to ask Claire and Jacob to scale for photos! I was lucky they were keen to do so! Not since Georgia in Hobart had I seen a bride so willing to run around on rocks in her wedding dress before the ceremony!

It was absolutely marvellous despite viewing the footage my wife took after the fact and realising how high the cliffs under us really were!

 

Walking to Cape Willoughby Lighthouse
Walking up the road together
Together on the hill near the lighthouse
On the cliffs near Cape Willoughby Lighthouse