- Every two months, Fearless Awards are given to photographers who have taken exceptional wedding photos.
- The award recipients are chosen by a panel of experts from Fearless Photographers, an online search platform that helps engaged couples find photographers in their area.
- Throughout 2018, more than 800 wedding photos were awarded.
- 61 of the year’s best photos showcase everything from couples with their pets to the emotions of loved ones.
Engagement season is upon us, and upcoming weddings are on the minds of many. But before getting into the festivities of the new year, it’s worth taking a look back at ceremonies from the past.
Every two months, search platform Fearless Photographers pulls together a panel of experts to award those who took remarkable wedding photos. And throughout 2018, Fearless Awards were given to more than 800 pictures.
The winning photos capture just about every aspect of weddings, from emotional loved ones to partying groomsmen. Out of the hundreds of recipients this year, these 61 photos were some of the best.
Joy is tangible through many of the photos.
Surrounded by flowers and a vast countryside, photographer Jorik Algra caught a set of newlyweds driving with no hands on the wheel.
Many of the winning photos were taken in black and white.
Photographer Marcin Karpowicz captured two wedding attendees as they embraced in a hug.
Photographers weren't afraid to have a little fun this year.
Photographer Hendra Lesmana took this photo of a bride grinning as her groom posed behind a cactus.
In 2018, animals expressed just as much affection as newlyweds.
While photographing a kissing couple, photographer Nat Wongsaroj noticed that a pair of prairie dogs seemed to be mimicking the humans with a kiss of their own.
One bride was literally swept off her feet, making for a stunning photo.
Photographer Jesus Ochoa simultaneously captured a group of pigeons in mid-flight.
Photographers captured tons of intimate moments between couples.
This couple, photographed by Gera Gallardo, clutched onto one another during their wedding.
Couples weren't always front and center in wedding photos this year.
Photographer Jesse La Plante took this image of a starry-night sky, under which a married couple stood with their dog.
Brides didn't mind if their makeup got a little messy.
Photographer David Almajano Maestro captured a grinning bride showing off a lipstick imprint on her cheek.
The weather helped make some of the greatest wedding photos to win a Fearless Award.
Wind doesn't always make for ideal photo shoot conditions, but photographer Jeff Cooke made the best of the weather and captured two newlyweds with their hair blowing in the breeze.
Rainy days made for some beautiful photographs.
Photographer Ujjwal Vanvari caught a sentimental moment between a bride and a loved one.
Photographers found beautiful nature scenes this year, even on cloudy days.
A groom carrying his bride underneath a double rainbow was photographed by Arjan Van Der Plaat.
Some of this year's winning photos were awarded in three different categories: "Real Moments," "Art & Beauty," and "Fun & Playful."
Photographer Paul Woo won a "Real Moments" Fearless Award for this touching photo.
The year's best wedding photos wouldn't be complete without Champagne.
Photographer Amer Nabulsi was in the right place at the right time, capturing a bride and her bridesmaids as they popped a bottle of Champagne.
Wedding guests brought tons of humor to this year's winning photos.
Awarded a "Fun & Playful" Fearless Award, Florin Stefan photographed a group of wedding attendees as they took shots from the bar.
Some of the sweetest photos were taken in the middle of wedding ceremonies.
As a newlywed couple walked down the aisle, photographer Benaissa El Yamani caught the affectionate moment when a loved one clutched onto the groom's arm.
Small details were the difference between average wedding photos and Fearless Award winners.
Photographer Szymo Pietrzyk saw something others might not have in this picture, and captured a perfectly-timed thumbs up in the background.
Bridesmaids stole the show this year.
Photographer Stephan Keereweer photographed a bridal party out at sea, where the women laughed as waves splashed onto their boat.
Some award-winning photographs play tricks with the viewer's eyes.
Shan Ambigaipagan became a Fearless Award winner for this photo in which a bride looks at a photograph of a loved one.
Blurred photographs with a single subject in focus were popular this year.
This photo taken by Matthew Sowa shows a bride lovingly looking up at the groom while a single tear rolls down her cheek.
Humor was also present throughout many of the awarded photographs.
In his award-winning image, photographer Daniel Lopez Perez caught a bride waving at a loved one who was riding in a passing car.
Even farm animals contributed to some of the year's best wedding photos.
Photographer Jay Cassario showcased a bride being licked by a friendly cow in his "Fun & Playful" award-winning photo.
In 2018, photographers proved that rain doesn't always ruin a wedding.
Photographer Trent Gillespie was one of them, photographing a joyful bride being helped by loved ones to walk through the rain.
Bubbles and bright colors made for some of 2018's most vibrant photos.
Photographer Melissa Ouwehand put herself in the middle of the action to catch a bride and groom as they walked down the aisle.
Many award-winning photos captured special moments between newlyweds.
Brides and grooms don't always get a ton of alone time on their wedding day, but photographer Valter Antunes made sure to savor that moment for one couple.
Dogs truly were man's best friend in 2018, especially during weddings.
Rather than taking a wide shot of this set of groomsmen, photographer Richard Clarke focused on this appropriately-dressed dog, who was included in the wedding festivities.
Some dogs were dressed up just like their owners.
Not only did this dog wear a tutu, but photographer Giuseppe Genovese also caught the canine sharing a sweet kiss with the bride.
Scenic wedding locations resulted in some of the year's most unique photographs.
Photographer Antonino Gitto won a Fearless "Fun & Playful" award for his image of newlyweds and their guests riding an amusement park ride.
Other photo shoot locations perfectly matched the theme of the wedding.
In his award-winning photograph, Florent Vidal captured the love of one couple as the kissed against a colorful mural.
Every photographer paid close attention to detail.
While a wedding attendee cried against a door, photographer Samuel Docker took a photo of a woman's outstretched arm.
Photographers were able to capture powerful images from far away.
Photographer David Hofman created this stunning photo by focusing on the silhouette of a bride as she stood on top of a mountain.
Other photographers took their best images by zooming in closely on the faces of their subjects.
This image, taken by photographer Matei Horvath, displays a range of emotions.
Some of the year's best wedding photos focused on traditions.
Photographer Ankita Asthana took this stunning image of a Haldi ceremony. During the pre-wedding event, which is a traditional part of Indian weddings, the bride and groom are covered in a turmeric paste that is said to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck.
Throughout 2018, photographers used their work to magnify even the smallest details.
In this close-up photo of a groom reading his wedding vows, photographer Keith Claytor captured a small tear drop on the man's hand.
Contrast was key to many of this year's best photos.
In a stunning image taken by photographer Aaron Storry, a bride and groom are seen dancing in a seemingly empty and still room.
Unique lighting enhanced wedding photography in 2018.
Photographer Justin Brownell used challenging lines to his advantage, creating a beautiful pattern throughout his photograph of a bride and groom.
Some of the best photos make it look as though the bride and groom were the only two in the room on first glance.
Winning a Fearless "Real Moments" award, photographer Rino Cordella focused on a kiss between newlyweds as their reception took place behind them.
Passing bike riders made one image stand out from others this year.
While photographing a happy couple, photographer Flavio Alvarenga captured two perfectly-aligned bike riders as they could be seen passing by through symmetrical windows.
But while color was crucial to some photos, the lack thereof worked perfectly for others.
In this black-and-white image taken by Nikhol Esteras, an emotional couple can be seen in front of joyful party-goers.
Contrasting colors made wedding photos pop.
Photographer Rianne Hogewoning zoomed in closely to capture a couple as they rode on a carnival ride, making it appear as though the newlyweds were flying.
Photographers followed brides and grooms wherever they went, even into the ocean.
While many would be afraid to step into the ocean with an expensive camera, photographer Jorge Mercado jumped right in to capture this stunning image.
Many winners in the "Art & Beauty" category incorporated nature into their photos.
Photographer Miguel Ponte took photos of one couple as they stood in the middle of a beautiful nature scene, surrounded by large trees and thick fog.
Emotions weren't only shared between brides and grooms on their wedding day.
At one 2018 wedding, photographer Marga Marti was there to capture a touching moment between a groom and his dog.
Photographers found humorous ways to turn inconvenient moments into fond memories.
At a rainy wedding, photographer Fabio Mirulla took a picture of a groom underneath a mustache-printed umbrella, making it look as though he had bold facial hair.
Photographers captured some great shots of dancing during wedding photos.
In this award-winning photo taken by Bardt Wauters, a groom is seen spinning his bride with one hand while using his other to play with a dog.
One photographer captured an intense moment in front of a beautiful background.
While most bouquet tosses happen at traditional event halls, photographer Alison Bounce took this image in the middle of a snow-covered field.
Happy tears were present in many of the Fearless Award winners.
Photographed by Olivier Frechard, one groom's tears can be seen streaming down his face and onto his bride's back.
In 2018, dogs attended everything from wedding receptions to dress fittings.
Photographer Junior Barreto was there to catch this dog as it checked out a wedding dress before the ceremony began.
This photo won a Fearless "Real Moments" award.
The moving embrace between a bride and two loved ones was captured by photographer Carlos Santanatalia.
Some winning photos gave insight into the careers of newlyweds.
In the middle of what appears to have been a rainy day, photographer Nayara Andrade took a stunning photo of a fireman carrying his soon-to-be wife.
Those responsible for giving wedding speeches also made their way into award-winning photos.
In the right place at the right time, photographer Logan Westom captured the moment when a wedding attendee spilled a drink in the middle of giving a speech.
Great photographs were made even better by symmetry.
This candid moment was captured by photographer Dominique Shaw.
Multiple elements had to come together to create the perfect photo.
Photographer Robin Goodlad not only managed to capture a bride's veil perfectly flowing in the wind, but he also caught a man saluting a helicopter.
The winning photos proved why it's important to hire a professional photographer for your wedding.
A wedding guest using their phone likely couldn't capture this bride and groom riding a two-seated bike the same way photographer Lauren Brimhall did.
Some photos captured two touching moments at once.
In this closeup photo, photographer Donatella Barbera caught a wedding guest as she admired a bride's ring, while also catching two other guests embracing in a hug and kiss.
Many stunning photos were taken from above.
Photographer Alex Zyuzikov likely found a high point to take this photo of a bride and groom dancing in an empty street.
Award-winning photographers captured candid moments.
Zooming in close on the bride and groom as they exited their wedding ceremony, photographer Luigi Rota caught the couple's reactions to being showered in rice.
Other photographers caught the unexpected moments that couples likely didn't plan for.
Butterfly releases are popular at weddings, but, just in case the insects don't fly away, it's important to have a photographer like Gabriel Scharis on hand.
Photos like this one prove why timing is key to great photography.
Just before the crowd lunged towards the bride's falling bouquet, photographer Massimiliano Magliacca took a photo of the flowers mid-air, perfectly aligned with a blue strobe light.
Photographers had to place themselves strategically to get amazing photos.
Photographer Casian Podarelu took this image of a bride sitting on a windowsill as her veil billowed in the wind.
Bubbles added some color and texture to many of this year's best photos.
In his award-winning photo, photographer Ralf Czogallik focused on a wedding guest who was blowing bubbles.
Even when dogs weren't meant to be included in a photo, they still found their way in.
Rather than zooming in on the embraced newlyweds, photographer Pasquale Minniti instead chose to capture the moment when the couple's dog chased towards them.
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