Rangefinder Rising Stars of the Wedding Industry
RANGEFINDER RISING STAR OF WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY 2019
WHAT A YEAR !!!!
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Aw man, what a year !!!! I would never have imagined being able to announce this: I am one of the Rangefinder Rising Stars 2019.
THANKS TO YOU
I am not really good at writing, but I will try to put this all together, and hopefully not forget anything or anyone.
2019 has been incredible, in so many ways, traveling the world, meeting amazing families and couples, discovering so many amazing landscapes, and experiencing brand new adventures. I have also had a great time meeting others during Workshops that I was speaking to (in Porto or Abroad).
I will try to focus on the amazing new.
A few months back I had the extreme pleasure to receive an email from the Rangefinder magazine honors its annual '30 Rising Stars of Wedding Photography'
From the beginning, The American Magazine have been very exclusive in their selections for the New Rising Stars Talents, only 30 people per year are chosen in the entire world. Most of the people I follow, and admire are previous years nominees.
That’s a lot of pressure, right?
From the first days and the start of my company, I must admit that my vision, and my work have changed dramatically. If you could see my work in the first year working in Scotland, it has changed so much from today, but also it already shows my style. Back then I did not know how much I had to work to make it very personal, and to communicate that with my clients. As I would say to a good friend, it’s really a mixture of both a marathon and a sprint.
It does involve a lot of work and nothing comes overnight. I have spent countless hours thinking about my communication, my website, my photographs to feed my personal vision.
Sometimes this tortures my nights, sometimes I am unable to sleep for 3 nights thinking about my work, trying to improve it, and then step by step make it a reality.
It is a good kind of torture because I love and adore my work, I love to tell the stories about my couples.
I do not consider myself an artist, but rather as an artisan or a craft maker. For me, I am simply documenting their day in the most simple, and natural way possible.
The first task was to select and narrow my work to ONLY 30 pictures. For the people who know me, or come to my workshops or conferences, you probably know how hard it is for me to take on such a mission. I would always prefer to choose, and show 120 pictures to tell a story, rather than extracting my pictures from a story, and show them to the world. Also, the previous winners or curators have to nominate you to be on the potential winner’s list, and believe me, you want them to be proud of you, you don’t want to disappoint them.
I have already won the New Talent of Wedding Photography in 2017 at BodaF Conference, Winning the best photographer of the year at the Rising Star Magazine also put me on the right track. It gives me the courage to say that maybe I am on the right path. Not because it feeds my ego, but more because it does show you that your communication and style is the real you. After all, you need to align your style with your clients, they are the ones who pay the bills.
We don’t save lives, we are not surgeons, however I also believe that our work is very important for the future. The memory we transmit is real, tangible, and also a part of us. So please, guys, always remember that you have to work hard, and fucking love your couples.
I am so happy that my style, my vision is loved by my couples. It does resonate with them, and that is the most precious gift they can give you. So far I have photographed over 170 weddings, and counting, I’ve had such a blast. I don’t think I will ever become bored with it. Showing and documenting love. Love as a Big word, as the most important word on earth. I wish that I am able to continue do it for many more years, in this big industry where competition is strong, but necessary to give our best, every day.
Without it, without my colleagues, my competitors, I would never be the person I am today. So for all of this THANK YOU all. I held my first camera in my hands about 11 years ago, simply because there was a sale in a camera shop. Well, I can assure you, it has been quite a Journey .
Thank you to those who have supported me
I grew in a few years into the industry, and if you had told me 5 years ago that one day I would be recognized as one of the best photographers in the world, I would never have thought it even possible. I have put a lot of myself into this work, I am glad it has given me the pleasure to meet amazing and talented people. It would never be possible without some friends I deeply respect. Also I would like to thank the people who have put my name on the list of the potential winner for this year, and the years before. A special thanks to Joana and Dylan (the Kitcheners), Lelia Scarfiotti, Mark Pacura, Petar Jurica, The Wedding Collective, Chris Parkinson, and many more whom I hope know how much you me. Thank you to my girl who believed in me.
Thank you to my lovely couples
Thank you to my couples for trusting me. This is my 5th year as a full-time wedding photographer, and I still have so much to learn, improve and celebrate with you, and your families. This is a dream to be able to follow you, wherever you go, all across the world. You are amazing. Without you there is no Eric-René.
Thank you to the Judges, Libby Paterson, Jacqueline Tobin, Arlene Evans and Moneer Masih-Tehrani
I really don’t know how to express myself, and I hope I can find the right words to tell you how deeply and sincerely proud I am to be part of your final choice. You have made my day, my days, my year, my decade, me. With lots of love and humility, and hoping to meet you one day.
A MASSIVE CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL 2019 HONOREES
Ameirfikri, Ash Powell, Becy Farr, Colin Ross, Corinna & Dylan, Daniel López Pérez Photography, Daniela Villarreal, David Ruff, Elizabeth Austin-Davis, Janine Licare, Johanna Rosenlew, Katz Photography, Lukas Leonte, Luke Bell, Matteo Innocenti, Me & Georgia, Melody Joy, Natalie J Weddings, Plan Liebe, Quyn Duong, Rafal Borek, Randi Kreckman, Rimi Sen, Rosa Garrido, Sara Lincoln, Tinted Photography, Tjeerd Paul Jacobs, Urška & Domen and Will Khoury.
ARTICLE RELATED TO THE FULL WINNERS LIST : HERE.
ARTICLE RELATED OF THE FULL WINNERS LIST GALLERIES : HERE.
