Amazing wedding photo gets nod in prestigious photography prize

This stunning photo of a newly married couple took wedding photography to a whole new level – and got a nod in a major international prize.

The skill and artistic merit of wedding photography is often under-appreciated.

No longer just a question of getting a picture in which neither bride nor groom are blinking, modern wedding photography requires a certain X-factor.

However, this one image of an underwater couple has taken the wedding photograph to another level after scoring an honourable mention in an international photography competition.

Photographer Kimber Greenwood was taking the photo for wedding clients in Kelly Springs, Florida, when she saw that the image was a winner, the New Zealand Herald reported.

“I love underwater portrait work, and this session was a dream come true,” she told the judging panel of the Ocean Art Underwater Photo Competition.

Kimber Greenwood's untitled wedding photo received an honourable mention in the underwater art category. Picture: Kimber Greenwood/Underwater Photography Guide

It was a technically difficult photo to achieve with lots of factors working against the photographer; however, the result was worth the effort.

“The current was intense so my assistant was holding me in place,” she said.

Photographed in the Kelly Park in Orange County, Florida, the springs are a spectacular, crystal clear natural aquifer. Although currents are strong, the clean water remains at a pleasant 20 degrees all year round, making it perfect for photography or just swimming.

It was one of thousands of entries from 78 countries to be entered for the annual photo awards, which offers more than $100,000 in cash prizes to photographers.

Crab-Eater Seal by Greg Lecoeur, which was shot in Antarctica, won best of show. Picture: Greg Lecoeur/Underwater Photography Guide

The untitled wedding photo was singled out for an honourable mention in the awards, narrowly missing out on first place to Greg Lecoeur’s photo of a seal darting through Antarctic ice.

Judge and publisher Scott Geitler was particularly impressed with this year’s entries, saying: “I continue to be amazed by the wonderful images that today’s underwater photographers are producing.

“The winning images produce powerful emotion and will influence a new generation of ocean conservation.”

This article originally appeared on the New Zealand Herald and was reproduced with permission