The Wedding Awards Farce

How I became a “Top Photographer of the Year” overnight—without earning it.

Wedding awards are mostly a joke.

I learned that firsthand when I was suddenly named one of the Top 50 Wedding Photographers of the Year by a wedding magazine I barely paid attention to.

I hadn’t applied.

I hadn’t submitted work.

I hadn’t even been in contact with the magazine.

So how did it happen?

Six Years in a Photography Group—Then, an Award?

For six years, I was part of a wedding photography group.

Slowly, I got to know everyone. We passed referrals, shared advice, helped each other grow our businesses.

Eventually, I was asked to speak at an event.

Then, suddenly, I was named one of the best photographers of the year.

My recognition wasn’t about my work. It was just the result of six years of being part of a group.

And every year since, the list goes on—and a majority of the names are still connected to that same group.

How the Game Was Played

The photographer who ran these events also wrote a monthly article for a wedding magazine.

She couldn’t directly promote her events, but she could promote every photographer speaking at them.

💡 She directed readers to those photographers.

💡 She made sure those photographers were talking about their new accolades.

💡 Which meant they were also talking about her event.

It was a great marketing strategy. She made her speakers seem important, which made her event seem more valuable, which sold more tickets.

It was clever.

But it wasn’t real.

If You Want to Play That Game, Go for It.

If you want your ego stroked, if you like titles and badges, if you enjoy saying “I was a Top Photographer in 2020”, then go for it.

But it doesn’t bring fulfillment.

It doesn’t bring happiness.

And honestly—how many years can you say you were the top photographer of 2020 before you sound like a has-been?

One.

I stopped speaking at the events.

Funnily enough, I also stopped making the list.

The Only Recognition That Matters

I don’t measure my success in awards, magazine features, or curated lists.

I’m a wedding photographer.

I serve my couples.

My biggest accolade?

💡 When my couples are ecstatic about their memories being preserved.

💡 When they refer me to their friends—not because of a badge on my website, but because they trust me.

That’s the only recognition I care about.