2023 JUDGES

Alex Stead

Alex Stead has a remarkable 14-year career as a photographer, during which she has successfully captured over 500 weddings. In addition to wedding photography, she also works in commercial photography and has partnered with Lululemon, Walmart, and Macleans. When she's not behind the camera, Alex can be found exploring Newfoundland, both on foot and in her trusty truck camper.

Alex also works as a business coach and runs an Academy for Wedding Photographers.

Joe Appel

Joe Appel believes in capturing photojournalistic, unstaged moments. His meticulous attention to lighting is a hallmark of his work, as he recognizes that the form and quality of light are fundamental. His years of education and on-location experience have finely tuned his ability to handle any scenario and deliver the appropriate lighting to create extraordinary images for his clients.

 

Beyond photography, Joe's life revolves around family and community. He is an advocate for public education, currently serving on the local school board.

 

Joe has served as a judge for multiple photography awards and was a speaker at the 2016 Foundation Conference.

Samantha Clarke

Samantha Clarke left the world of law to pursue wedding photography 15 years ago. This former lawyer found herself drawn to the world of photography while practicing law and began photographing weddings.

 

Samantha's commitment to excellence and undeniable talent have earned her recognition as one of America's top photographers by BRIDES Magazine in both 2020 and 2021. With over 250 weddings and portrait commissions under her lens, her storytelling through photography has made a significant impact across North America, Europe, and the Caribbean.

 

As a devoted mother to her daughter and son and a loving partner to her husband, Samantha's personal journey continues to inspire her professional pursuits.

2022 JUDGES

Raphaëlle Granger

For the last 10 years, I’ve lived for the natural, the true, the authentic. For what makes each couple unique, each story different. I don’t believe in poses or in recreating a moment. All that I photograph is happening in the moment, so it can live for ever and ever. For me the best images are the ones that mark our imaginations, give us chills and breathe sensitivity.

John Yates

John Yates is an interdisciplinary photographer combining modern shooting style and classical elements of composition. In addition to wedding photography he runs a busy commercial photography studio and also teaches photography post-secondary.

Mark and Tracey Crown

Mark and Tracey own Crown Photography & Film, a studio in Camrose, Alberta. They capture weddings together across western Canada and hold a strong belief that the experience of being photographed matters just as much as the final images. Because of this, they work hard to empower their clients to feel confident and beautiful so that they can look back on their photos with a sense of pride and excitement. The Crowns were judges with WCWA in 2019 and WCWA is excited to have them back.

2021 JUDGES

Melissa Sigler

For the last 10 years, I’ve lived for the natural, the true, the authentic. For what makes each couple unique, each story different. I don’t believe in poses or in recreating a moment. All that I photograph is happening in the moment, so it can live for ever and ever. For me the best images are the ones that mark our imaginations, give us chills and breathe sensitivity.

John Yates

John Yates is an interdisciplinary photographer combining modern shooting style and classical elements of composition. In addition to wedding photography he runs a busy commercial photography studio and also teaches photography post-secondary.

Mark and Tracey Crown

Mark and Tracey own Crown Photography & Film, a studio in Camrose, Alberta. They capture weddings together across western Canada and hold a strong belief that the experience of being photographed matters just as much as the final images. Because of this, they work hard to empower their clients to feel confident and beautiful so that they can look back on their photos with a sense of pride and excitement. The Crowns were judges with WCWA in 2019 and WCWA is excited to have them back.

2020 JUDGES

Brandi Potter

Brandi Potter brings a modern approach to weddings with her creative posing, editing, composition and non-traditional wedding photography. She is passionate about education and has a website dedicated to Creative Weddings, featuring photographers with a unique individual style and artistic expression.

Paul Woo

Paul Woo’s home base is in New York City, although he is frequently spotted around the the world travelling, trying new restaurants and shooting weddings. His style is photojournalism and he focuses on capturing natural emotions of the guests and wedding couples.

 

By using elements of composition and design, Paul creates visually delightful images that use space and colour masterfully.

Tayanna Nelson

Tayanna Nelson is a photographer in Kansas City and specializes in creating memorable client experiences. Tayanna does this by creating lifelong friendships with her wedding couples and then captures authentic moments of her new friends.

 

Through her wedding photography and inclusive boudoir work, Tay is an advocate for body positivity. Tayanna is changing society’s unrealistic beauty standards and helping everyone perceive that all bodies are beautiful.

2019 JUDGES

Mark and Tracey Crown Brandi Potter

Neither of us started out intending to pursue a career as a wedding photographer. But now that we’ve found this amazing work, we can truly say that it has become our passion. Together, we photograph/film weddings across western Canada and we believe that the experience of being photographed matters just as much as the final images. Because of this we work hard to help our client’s enjoy their time in front of the lens.

 

 

Raphaëlle Granger

For the last 10 years, I’ve lived for the natural, the true, the authentic. For what makes each couple unique, each story different. I don’t believe in poses or in recreating a moment. All that I photograph is happening in the moment, so it can live for ever and ever. For me the best images are the ones that mark our imaginations, give us chills and breathe sensitivity.

Lindsey Paradiso

Lindsey Paradiso is a wedding photographer who resides in Virginia with her husband Matt and her two dogs Lola and Izzy. In her free time, you can find her traveling, reading, hiking through nature or eating (her favorite past time).

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West Coast Wedding Awards is an awards program for photographers residing on the west coast of Canada and USA.

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