Bettina Vass Photography
Iceland
The hike to the top was challenging but exhilarating, and as Mauli and Christian exchanged their vows against the backdrop of the setting sun, it was a moment of pure joy and beauty.
About Bettina Vass
I pour my heart and soul into ensuring that each client feels heard…”
I found a profound connection with the raw and majestic landscapes of Iceland since moving to here from Budapest,Hungary in 2012. My approach to photography goes beyond the technical aspects; I focus on capturing the unique relationships and personalities of my clients, which are highlighted by Iceland’s stunning scenery. Photography for me is about creating timeless, meaningful memories that resonate with my clients and their loved ones. I steer clear of fleeting trends, choosing instead to highlight each couple’s individuality in a way that will remain relevant and cherished for years to come. My style is a blend of documentary and editorial, allowing me to weave together the story of an elopement day.
While the spectacular Icelandic backdrops are a significant influence, it is the deep connections between people that inspire me the most. Client experience is paramount in my business. From the first interaction on my website or social media to the delivery of their photo gallery, I pour my heart and soul into ensuring that each client feels heard, comfortable, and excited about their wedding plans in Iceland.
RUNNER UP
Ewelina Puk
Poland
I wanted to show not just the couple, but also the whole magical evening”
There was something special about the place we were photographing that day. A castle courtyard with a glass roof, ivy-covered walls, and tables overflowing with white flowers and lush greenery. As the sun set, the whole space was lit only by candles and a few spotlights. Before I start shooting, I like to take a walk around the venue – just to get a feel of the space. That’s how I found a window overlooking the entire dance floor. I remember thinking, ‘I’ll come back to you’. Then I moved on, waiting for the right moment.
The couple was the obvious star of the frame, but the room deserved its moment, too. When I finally went upstairs, I saw a contrast that fascinated me. One half of the shot was alive – music, smoke, dancing. The other half – calm and candlelit, like nothing could disturb it. I used a 35mm lens to let both sides tell their story.
Camera: Canon R6 Lens: Sigma Art 35mm Shutter Speed: 1/160 Aperture: f/2.0 ISO: 1000
About Ewelina Puk
For 12 years, I’ve been turning ‘Oh, I didn’t know you were there‘ into a job. I co-run Lightsome Studio with my husband – the only one who understands why ‘1% more contrast’ can fix the universe.
I love 4 a.m. (when the world stops for a while) and people who let their guard down, forgetting I’m watching.
Photography taught me one thing: life is better when you’re paying attention.
People fascinate me the most – their gestures, their hidden smiles, the way they light up when they think no one’s watching. I’m not the loud kind of photographer. I like to observe staying close enough to see the details but quiet enough not to disrupt the moment. Life has its own rhythm, and I’m here to listen, not direct.
I look for beauty in the unpolished, in-between moments. It’s never about perfection, just honesty. And after all these years, I’m still curious. The beauty of this job is its unpredictability. When you approach people with curiosity instead of expectations, they always surprise you. That’s what makes it endlessly inspiring.
When I’m not holding a camera, I’m probably holding a bag of peanut puffs. Huge fan. Seriously.
Category Winners
- Black & White
- Break the Rules
- Couple Portrait
- Dance Floor
- Emerging Artist
- Engagement / Non-Wedding
- Epic Location
- From Above
- I-Do Crew
- Lit!
- Single Capture
- Solo Portrait
WINNER – Kemran Shiraliev
I appreciate an unusual approach to photography…”
I shot the bride with her grandmother and took some casual photos. I always think about keeping the photography interesting not only for my clients, but also impressing other photographers, so that it can be considered art. My vision made this shot possible, the hands of an elderly grandmother on the young face of the bride. There is something symbolic about it.
WINNER – Ted Kim
Every wedding is an opportunity to document not just a moment, but the essence of two people in love—and that’s why I do what I do.”
While photographing this couple’s wedding, I noticed their deep love for nature and how they found comfort in constant touch—holding hands, hugging, and simply being close. Their connection taught me an important lesson about capturing meaningful moments: focusing on touch and intimacy. I aimed to reflect their unique bond—their love for nature and their tender gestures—in a single photograph. My goal was to tell their story authentically, creating an image that truly embodies the love they share.
WINNER – Andri Tei
I believe in finding beauty in unlikely places, amid the laughter and the tears…”
The photograph was taken at teamLab Future World at Singapore Art Science Museum. Those who have been to this gallery knows that it’s extremely difficult to get a clean shot here with all the crowd, and to top that off the timing of the lighting has to be just right to have all the right element fall in place to create that magic. I was glad to be able to make it happen on that special day with this memorable couple.
WINNER – Ewelina Puk
I wanted to show not just the couple, but also the whole magical evening.”
I caught this moment during the couple’s first dance, after the sun had set. I wanted to show not just the couple, but also the whole magical evening. Half the room was the lit-up dance floor, and the other half was tables with candles. To emphasize the contrast, I divided the frame in half and used a 35mm lens to show how big the space was.
WINNER – Bettina Vass
I focus on capturing the unique relationships and personalities of my clients, which are highlighted by Iceland’s stunning scenery.”
This photo was captured inside one of the icy tunnels of Katla glacier, which is also an active volcano in Iceland, just 10 minutes before the couple’s ceremony atop the glacier.
WINNER – Ben Lane – Tinted Photography
We are Ben and Sirjana, the husband and wife behind Tinted Photography. We photograph adventurous couples worldwide as we help plan and document their unique connection. Our goal is to be the bridge between love and adventure and to tell the stories of those who are brave enough to cross it <3″
We had been adventuring with our couple all day for their engagement shoot, and they invited us to join them for a BBQ and a few beers. A ‘few’ beers later, the stars were out, and we all thought it would be fun to take some shots with the night sky to complete their engagement adventure with us. To get away from the street lights, we set up near the edge of the town where we were staying, incidentally, by the side of a long highway. Off in the distance, we could see a bright light heading our way, so we set up for this shot and waited for the truck to roll on past! 30-second exposure, with one off-camera flash.
WINNER – Bettina Vass
My style is a blend of documentary and editorial, allowing me to weave together the story of an elopement day. “
We had been adventuring with our couple all day for their engagement shoot, and they invited us to join them for a BBQ and a few beers. A ‘few’ beers later, the stars were out, and we all thought it would be fun to take some shots with the night sky to complete their engagement adventure with us. To get away from the street lights, we set up near the edge of the town where we were staying, incidentally, by the side of a long highway. Off in the distance, we could see a bright light heading our way, so we set up for this shot and waited for the truck to roll on past! 30-second exposure, with one off-camera flash.
WINNER – Angel Yamil Calderon Tellitud
Mexican Photographer. Been working on this for 6 years, love to capture the feelings and power of every couple”
The place is a hotel boutique in the middle of the forest, the couple love Asian culture so it was the perfect spot for them
WINNER – Christopher Perkins – Underatreehouse
I love the opportunity that weddings give me to be creative, blending reportage style photography with elements of fashion and editorial work…”
When Alex and Bridget approached me to be their Wedding Photographer, they told me about this cute old theatre they had found in a small town called Dungog in the Hunter Region of NSW that they had fallen in love with. They straight away had the idea to use the theatre for their Wedding and to create a day and experience for their guests that was totally unique. They already had the idea for a group photo straight after their ceremony with everybody wearing 3D glasses and them eating popcorn but just weren’t sure how well it would photograph technically in such a dark space. When I arrived at the theatre, I found that the little light that was available was obviously pointing towards the stage and so wouldn’t illuminate the guests. I decided to place two flashes at the back of the auditorium to add some theatrical ‘pop’, to separate the subjects from the background and to enable me to get more of the guests evenly lit and in focus. I was really happy with the way it came out.
WINNER – Kemran Shiraliev
I appreciate an unusual approach to photography…”
I was shooting the bride’s gathering and the groom was running late, so we had plenty of time to experiment. Knowing how to work with light sources is one of the most important skills of a photographer. I shot this shot at a slow shutter speed using a “mixed light” technique where I use both constant light and flash.
WINNER – Hollie Mateer
Everyone who sees this image laughs…”
I used perspective and scale to tell a joke with this photograph – waiting for the exact moment I needed to bring the different elements together. Whenever I’ve shown this image to other people, they’ve always laughed. So I knew this was an image that resonated – but to win this, it’s mind-blowing. To win the Single Capture category is especially meaningful. The Single Capture category celebrates documentary photography and that’s exactly what I specialise in.
WINNER – Hollie Mateer
The wind catching the dress with the bride in full flight.”
The bride crosses the road on her wedding day. An ordinary road transformed into an extraordinary scene – the wind catching the dress with the bride in full flight. Confidence and joy on her face, as she calls back to her new husband, who is just out of shot. The bride transforms the scene, filling the ordinary street with her energy, her style. Capturing it was all about anticipating what was happening, running ahead into the road (the road was unusually quiet), getting into position and waiting for the moment to develop, waiting for the wind to catch the dress. It all happened naturally, in a second or two.