West Coast Wedding Awards gives feedback on every image submitted.
Contestants will receive the scores of the judges in an atmosphere of transparency and scores from three judges on on every submission. Judging categories are: composition, creativity, lighting, aesthetics, editing
Our goal is to create a community that recognizes the hard work photographers put into their craft and to grow our skills together as an industry.
For new photographers, a special discounted rate is available to make this contest accessible to everyone.
The West Coast Wedding Awards are for photographers who reside in Alaska (USA), British Columbia (Canada), Washington (USA), Oregon (USA) and California (USA) at the time of submission.
Rules Summary
Please read the full contest rules.
The West Coast Wedding Awards are open to legal residents of Alaska, Yukon, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon or California who are of legal age in their jurisdiction of residence. The wedding does not have to take part in these locations.
Photos must be taken between October 31st 2015 and October 31st 2020, with the exception of the COVID Category.
Deadline for entry is November 21, 2020.
Each photo gets feedback and comments from three judges on a score out of 100 on the following categories: composition, creativity, lighting, aesthetics, editing.
COVID Category – A photograph taken during the pandemic, between March 1st 2020 and October 31st 2020, that shows a reference to COVID-19.
Pricing is $30CAD for one photo, or $25CAD for multiple. Student and New Business Category is $15/image.
EARLY BIRD PRICING: From November 1-7, early bird pricing is $25 CAD for one photo, or $20 CAD for multiple.
Student and New Business Category: Contest entrants qualify for this category if they have been a professional photographer (self-employed or as an employee) no longer than 18 consecutive months.
Meet the Founders
Caroline Ross
I’m from Northern Ontario and spent a few years living in St Maarten before moving to Vancouver where I live with my spouse. I studied at Laurentian University for my Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree and Cambrian College for Digital Art Diploma. I have been working as a photographer since 2009, and have separate wedding and commercial/fashion photography businesses.
It’s hard for an artist to get feedback on their art and sometimes difficult to find industry professionals who are willing to do so.
Tanja Aelbrecht
I’m originally from Belgium, where I worked as a physiotherapist, before moving to Vancouver BC in 2011 and starting my career as a wedding photographer. I’ve been a full-time photographer since 2013, together with my hubby, in our niche business that focuses on outdoorsy, adventurous and spontaneous couples. We have been rewarded with numerous magazine publications and a couple of awards.
When starting out in the wedding photography industry 8 years ago, I quickly learned how important it is to have access to feedback to grow in my craft. I was lucky to have great mentors in my environment, but when it comes to contests, I felt there was often a lack of feedback and transparency. So I’m beyond excited to start the West Coast Wedding Awards with the talented Caroline Ross!
Connect
Wedding Work: www.carolinephotography.ca
Instagram: instagram.com/carolinerossphotography
Facebook: facebook.com/carolinerossphotography
Fashion Work: www.carolinecharlotteross.ca
Instagram: instagram.com/carolineross
Youtube: youtube.com/carolineross
Website: jelgerandtanja.com
Facebook: facebook.com/jelgerandtanja
Insta: instagram.com/jelgerandtanja
Twitter: twitter.com/jelgerandtanja
Pinterest:pinterest.com/jelgerandtanja
Caroline Ross
Wedding Work: www.carolinephotography.ca
Instagram: instagram.com/carolinerossphotography
Facebook: facebook.com/carolinerossphotography
Fashion Work: www.carolinecharlotteross.ca
Instagram: instagram.com/carolineross
Youtube: youtube.com/carolineross
I’m from Northern Ontario and spent a few years living in St Maarten before moving to Vancouver where I live with my spouse. I studied at Laurentian University for my Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree and Cambrian College for Digital Art Diploma. I have been working as a photographer since 2009, and have separate wedding and commercial/fashion photography businesses.
In addition to full time photography, I also work as a college professor. I understand the importance of feedback for the students and spend many late evenings marking assignments and photos. With feedback students are able to grow and learn and I think photographers need this too in their lives. I want to create a community that gives constructive critiquing to wedding photographers. It’s hard for an artist to get feedback on their art and sometimes difficult to find industry professionals who are willing to do so.
Tanja Aelbrecht
Website: jelgerandtanja.com
Facebook: facebook.com/jelgerandtanja
Insta: instagram.com/jelgerandtanja
Twitter: twitter.com/jelgerandtanja
Pinterest:pinterest.com/jelgerandtanja
I’m originally from Belgium, where I worked as a physiotherapist, before moving to Vancouver BC in 2011 and starting my career as a wedding photographer. I’ve been a full-time photographer since 2013, together with my hubby, in our niche business that focuses on outdoorsy, adventurous and spontaneous couples. We have been rewarded with numerous magazine publications and a couple of awards.
When starting out in the wedding photography industry 8 years ago, I quickly learned how important it is to have access to feedback to grow in my craft. I was lucky to have great mentors in my environment, but when it comes to contests, I felt there was often a lack of feedback and transparency. So I’m beyond excited to start the West Coast Wedding Awards with the talented Caroline Ross!