Kodak India in association with the Better Photography magazine announced the wedding photographer of the year 2009. Ranjan Zingade from Pune became Indias first Wedding Photographer of the year and also won a trophy and a cash prize of Rs one Lakh. This was the first ever grand scale award to recognise the 200,000+ strong wedding photographer communities in India. The quest for Indias best wedding photographer started five months back through a grand scale pan India hunt,where entries were called for,on wedding related themes namely Bridal Portraiture,Couple Portraiture,Family and Friends,Behind the scenes,Emotions,Photo series on a single wedding. Over Eight Thousands of entries were received based on the themes,from both professional and semi-professional photographers. A lot of women photographers,participated in the contest demystifying the myth that wedding photography is a male dominant field! After several rounds of elimination through a jury of eminent photographers such as Fawzan Hussain,Ariz Aira,Rooshad Garda,Uzair Kharawala,Seshu,Sephi Bergerson,the final 6 category winners were chosen. These final 6 winners competed in a unique face off round. The finalists shot a mock wedding complete with a bride and groom,dressed in their wedding finery. The final submissions made by these finalists taken at this wedding fare was judged by the renowned Wedding Photographer Prakash Tilokani. According to P. N. Raghuvir,Vice President,Marketing,Kodak India,We are proud to be associated with Better Photography to present the Wedding Photography awards this year. The Wedding photographers capture the most important event of our life and yet they do not get the recognition they deserve. Hence ,this award is an effort to recognise their contribution,which makes Indian weddings so memorable. He Further Added,We received an overwhelming response for this contest we hope to make it even bigger in the coming years Madhavan Pillai,editor,Better Photography,Wedding photography is an often misunderstood,often underestimated profession. This is despite the fact that it more exciting and satisfying than many other genres of photography. So,I am glad WPOY2010 came to fruition. Wedding photographers now have annual awards on a national level that they can call their own.
