Winner: “Immersed,” photographed by Sacha Blue, based in Seattle
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Couple Melissa Maxwell and Jacob Frane, from Kapolei, HI, at Magic Island, in Honolulu, Dec. 20, 2009
Inspiration “The couple are originally from the Chicago area and got married in Ilinois. But Jake is stationed with the Coast Guard on Oahu, and Melissa wanted to do a session to document their time in Hawaii. I set out to create an underwater portrait that depicted the way it feels to be so madly in love with someone that the rest of the world seems to disappear.”
How to capture a similar moment “Schedule a post-wedding session with a photographer who has underwater portrait experience. Open water adds a nice touch, but a pool works as well.”
Best part of shooting weddings away “Local weddings are often stressful and rushed, and I see many couples not having a chance on their wedding day to hang out with each other or the people who matter most in their lives. Destination weddings are fun and memorable but also provide more opportunities to spend quality time with loved ones.”
