TWIA Wedding Photography Judges – The Inspiring Story of Growth, Feedback, and National Success

When we first entered The Wedding Industry Awards (TWIA) back in 2015, we were just like so many new wedding photographers are right now: hopeful, nervous, and not really sure what to expect. We didn’t win. And that was the best thing that could have happened to us.

Because TWIA isn’t just about trophies. It’s about growth. It’s about letting your clients’ words lift you up, learning from constructive feedback, and realising where you can refine your craft and business. That process made us the photographers we are today, and it’s why we’ll be sitting again on the other side as TWIA wedding photography judges.

Our path wasn’t overnight success:

• 2015 → Entered.
• 2016 → Nominated.
• 2017 → Nominated again, this time Highly Commended.
• 2018 → Best Wedding Photographer in the West Midlands.
• 2023 → National Winner – Best Wedding Photographer in the UK.
• 2025 & 2026 → Judges!

That’s many years of entering, growing, and improving. And trust us, there were plenty of bumps (and wonky walls) along the way.

The “Wonky Wall Epidemic” (and Why Style Isn’t Everything)

If you’ve read our blog about editorial wedding photography, you’ll know I once ruffled a few feathers by pointing out the wonky wall epidemic, the obsession with making everything look “editorial” and perfectly posed, even if it meant a background that looked like it was falling over. My point wasn’t to dismiss editorial photography (I love it when it’s done well!), but to remind everyone that no single style owns “best.”

On the flip side, in our post about documentary wedding photography, we admitted that pure reportage can sometimes feel too raw, even unflattering. Again, it’s not about saying one is wrong. It’s about balance. About knowing your couples, creating images that feel authentic, beautiful, and true.

And that’s the heart of TWIA: it’s not just about whether your photography is moody, airy, editorial, documentary, or (in our case) DOCU-ART. It’s about your whole business. The experience you give your couples. The way your brand presents itself. The feedback you earn through the way you treat people.

Why Client Feedback Matters Most

As a judge, of course we’ll be looking at the images: the composition, the light, the story they tell. But honestly? That’s only part of the picture. The heartbeat of TWIA is in the client feedback. That’s where the real story comes through.

When I read reviews, I’m not just skimming for praise. I’m looking for the details. Did you make your couples feel truly seen? Did you bring calm when nerves were running high? Did you blend into the background during those quiet, sacred moments, yet step forward with energy when the dance floor exploded?

Because here’s the thing: incredible photography is expected at this level. What sets one photographer apart from another is the experience they create. Weddings are emotional, messy, sometimes chaotic, but if your clients say you made them feel looked after, confident, and celebrated, that’s everything.

When we won the national award in 2023, it wasn’t just because of our photos. It was because our couples took the time to write about how we made them feel. They talked about our speed of delivery, our laughter-filled approach, the way we captured their parents’ tears, and even how we danced with them at the end of the night. That’s what lifted us above the competition.

And here’s the part I love the most: reviews don’t lie. You can write the slickest website copy in the world, but your clients’ voices are the proof. Their words are the echo of your brand promise, either confirming you delivered, or exposing the gaps.

That’s why, as judges, we read every single one. It’s where the truth lives.

What We Learned from the Process

One of the best things about TWIA is that it’s not just about the shiny trophy (although holding that national winner award in 2023 was a pretty epic moment!). It’s about what you learn along the way. Looking back at our journey from 2015 to now, here’s what stood out the most:

1. Feedback is Pure Gold

When you enter TWIA, you get feedback from two sides: the judges (feel free to ask us for the feedback!) and your clients. Both are priceless. Judges give you a professional perspective, things you might miss in your own bubble. Clients remind you why you do what you do, and how your work really made them feel. Sometimes their words brought us to tears, and sometimes they gave us that nudge to do better.

2. Consistency Wins

You don’t have to win on your first try (we didn’t). What matters is showing up, year after year, with steady growth. Every entry, every nomination, every Highly Commended badge was proof that we were improving. Consistency in both your craft and your client care builds momentum.

3. Business Matters as Much as Art

This is one of the biggest misconceptions. Photographers often think TWIA is just about who has the prettiest images. Wrong. We learned quickly that your whole business matters, how you present yourself, how you communicate, how you treat your clients, even how fast you deliver your galleries. It’s the full package.

4. Improvement Beats Perfection

We’ll be honest, our early entries weren’t perfect. But each year we tweaked something. Better workflow. More intentional storytelling. Stronger brand voice. A smoother booking process. We didn’t try to reinvent ourselves overnight, we just kept getting a little better each year. That’s what TWIA celebrates: progress.

5. Confidence Comes with Time

Standing on stage as national winners in 2023 felt surreal. But that confidence didn’t happen overnight. It came from years of putting ourselves forward, getting knocked back, picking ourselves up, and entering again. That resilience shaped us far more than an easy win ever could have.

From Winners to Judges

Fast forward to today, and we’re in a role we never imagined back in 2015: TWIA wedding photography judges. Honestly? It feels surreal. One moment you’re nervously pressing “submit” on your very first entry, the next you’re holding a national trophy, and before you know it, you’re being asked to help shape the future of the industry.

For us, this isn’t about power or prestige. It’s about giving back to the community that helped us grow. We know firsthand how much courage it takes to enter, how it feels to wait for the results, and how one piece of feedback can stick with you for years. We also know how much blood, sweat, and late-night editing goes into building a business that truly serves couples.

So when we sit down to judge, yes, we’ll be looking at the images. But more than that, we’ll be digging into the full story of your business. How do you communicate your brand? How do you deliver? What do your couples say about you when no one’s looking? Do your values shine through your work?

Because here’s the truth: every style can win. Whether you’re all about editorial elegance, pure documentary, fine art, or something uniquely your own, we’re not here to pick one look over another. We’re here to recognise excellence in its many forms.

And above all? We’ll be reading every single piece of client feedback. Because while photos catch our eye, it’s the couples’ voices that capture our hearts.

For us, becoming TWIA judges feels like the perfect full circle, from entrants, to winners, to now helping spotlight the next generation of talent. And we honestly can’t wait to celebrate you.

Advice for Photographers Entering TWIA

If you’re entering TWIA this year, first of all – well done. It takes guts to put yourself forward and open your work (and your business) up to scrutiny. That alone deserves a round of applause. Here’s what we’ve learned along the way that might help you:

• Be proud of taking the step. Most people never do. Entering TWIA isn’t just about awards, it’s about courage, saying “this is my work, this is my business, and I’m ready to grow.”

• Don’t chase the trophy – embrace the process. Of course it feels amazing to win, but the truth is, TWIA will help you long before you ever get near a trophy. The feedback you’ll receive, the reflections it sparks, and the way it makes you evaluate your business – that’s the real gold.

• Value feedback. Read it carefully, even if it stings. Judges aren’t there to tear you down, they’re there to help you see what you can’t always see yourself. We also used client feedback year after year to refine everything from our client communication to the way we presented our brand.

• Celebrate client reviews. This is the heart of your entry. Reviews aren’t just numbers on a form – they’re the voices of the people you served. Let them remind you of your impact, the moments you captured, and the difference you made.

• Keep growing each year. You might not win the first time (we didn’t). You might not even place. But each year you enter, you’ll build momentum. You’ll get clearer about your style, stronger in your business, and more confident in your voice.

And here’s the most important part: every style can win. Whether you shoot editorial, documentary, fine art, film, digital, or something that defies a label entirely – we, as TWIA wedding photography judges, recognise the whole picture. Your craft, your service, your brand, your couple’s experience. That’s what makes this award so special.

So lean in, trust the process, and let it shape you. We’ll be here on the judging side, excited to celebrate every one of you who takes the leap.

Why This Matters for Couples

Now, you might be wondering – what does all this TWIA talk mean if I’m a couple planning my wedding? Here’s the truth: it matters more than you think.

When you book a photographer who has been through the TWIA journey, from nervous first-time entrant to national winner, and now to judge, you’re booking someone who has proven themselves at the very highest level of the UK wedding industry. It’s not just about awards sitting on a shelf; it’s about the years of consistent growth, refinement, and client care that got us there.

For you, it means:
– Trust. You know your memories are in safe hands, recognised by both couples and industry experts.
– Exclusivity. You’re choosing a team whose work is celebrated nationally and now trusted to judge the very best.
– Commitment. We never stand still. Every year, every wedding, we keep improving, so your photos are always the very best we can deliver.

And perhaps most importantly? You can relax, knowing that your wedding photography won’t just meet expectations – it will surpass them. Because if there’s one thing this journey has taught us, it’s that excellence isn’t a one-time thing. It’s a promise we make to every couple who steps in front of our cameras.

Final Thoughts

Looking back, our TWIA journey has been one of the most valuable experiences of our career. From those early nominations to standing on stage as National Winners in 2023, and now being in the role of TWIA wedding photography judges, it’s shaped us not just as photographers, but as people.

To the photographers reading this: entering TWIA isn’t just about chasing a trophy. It’s about growth, resilience, and the joy of hearing your clients’ voices reflected back to you. Don’t be afraid to put yourself forward. The process will make you stronger, clearer, and more confident in your craft.

And to the couples: this is why awards matter. When you book with us, you’re choosing photographers trusted not only by hundreds of happy couples but by the wedding industry itself. You’re choosing a team that never stands still, that pushes for excellence year after year, and that knows how to capture your story with authenticity, artistry, and heart.

We only take on a limited number of weddings each year, so if you’re planning your celebration and want the reassurance of booking award-winning, nationally recognised photographers, don’t wait. Secure your date now – because once we’re booked, we’re booked.

Let’s chat about your wedding