Photography Awards

Participating in photography competitions fueled my personal and professional growth for many years and helped me develop as a professional photographer.

I’ve received hundreds of awards, so I have nothing left to prove to my clients, myself, or other photographers. I’ve therefore retired from photography contests and today only serve other photographers as a competition judge.

This awards page lists the notable recognitions I received as a product photographer, portrait photographer, and wedding photographer.

WPPI Competition

The WPPI 16×20 Print, Album, and Filmmaking Competition recognizes outstanding photographers and filmmakers.

The awards were presented each year at the WPPI Wedding and Portrait Photography Conference + Expo held in Las Vegas, an event focusing on the creative and business side of wedding photography, portrait photography, and filmmaking.

To help put these awards in perspective, WPPI is the largest wedding and portrait photographer organization in the world and to many folks, these awards are the Oscars of the photography industry.

At the annual awards ceremony in Las Vegas, winners were called to the stage where they were presented with crystal trophies. Some winners were then encouraged to make a short speech where those photographers sometimes cried like babies. Not that I’d ever admit to crying on stage.

I’ve been recognized with 50+ awards from WPPI including four 1st place, three 2nd place, and three 3rd place trophies. I was also awarded the title Double Master of WPPI—one of only 32 photographers in the world at that time who could claim that title.

This competition has been rebranded as the Icon International Photography Awards.

2019, Title Bestowed
— Double Master of WPPI
2019, Silver (80), 16×20 Print, Bride Alone Wedding Day
— “I’m Starting to Rethink Hiring This Photographer Because He’s Making Me Stare Into the Sun So Long I’m About to Go Blind”
2019, Silver (83), 16×20 Print, Newborn
— “Goo, Goo, Gah, Gah, Mah, Mah, Dah, Dah”
2018, First Place, Silver (80), Wedding Couple Together: Wedding Day (Second Half)
— “Spiderman vs. Batman”
2018, Silver (84), Newborn (Second Half)
— “Baby in a Bucket”
2018, Silver (82), Group / Families (Second Half)
— “He Was My Personal Trainer Before I Asked Him to Marry Me”
2018, Silver (82), Wedding Photojournalism (Second Half)
— “Yummy”
2018, Silver (82), Wedding Photojournalism (Second Half)
— “The Brassiere”
2018, First Place, Silver (82), In-Camera Artistry
— “Three Squared“
2017, Silver (83), Album, Wedding Multiple Photographers
— “The Black Dress”
2017, Silver (82), Album, Wedding Multiple Photographers
— “Love & Laughter”
2016, Third Place, Silver Distinction (85), Album, Wedding Multiple Photographers
— “The Force Awakens”
2016, Silver (81), Album, Non-Event Informal
— “Nine Months”
2016, Silver (81), Digital, In Camera Artistry
— “The Belly”
2015, Silver Distinction (86), 16×20 Print, Wedding Photojournalism
— “Mother”
2015, Silver Distinction (85), 16×20 Print, Wedding Photojournalism
— “Popping Pappa”
2015, Silver (84), 16×20 Print, Engagement
— “Star Wars Fans”
2015, Silver (81), 16×20 Print, Wedding Photojournalism
— “The Grandparents”
2015, Silver (81), 16×20 Print, Portrait: Individual
— “Wolverine”
2015, Silver (81), 16×20 Print, Wedding Couple Together: Wedding Day
— “Jumping”
2015, Silver (80), 16×20 Print, Bride or Groom Alone: Wedding Day
— “The Black Dress”
2015, Silver (80), 16×20 Print, Portrait: Children
— “The Cub Scout”
2015, Silver (80), 16×20 Print, Engagement
— “The Jugglers”
2015, Silver (80), 16×20 Print, Wedding Photojournalism
— “Daddy”
2015, Silver (80), 16×20 Print, Wedding Photojournalism
— “Mirrored Sunglasses”
2015, Silver (81), 2nd Half Online, Engagement
— “Sky Walkers”
2014, Title Bestowed
— Master of WPPI
2014, First Place, Gold Distinction (95), Album, Engagement
— “501st Legion”
2014, Second Place, Silver Distinction (85), 16×20 Print, Bridal Party / Family and Friends
— “First Dance”
2014, Gold (91), 16×20 Print, Fashion
— “The Bubbles Are In Camera”
2014, Gold (90), 16×20 Print, Bridal Party / Family and Friends
— “Joyful Joy”
2014, Silver (83), 16×20 Print, Bride and Groom Together: Wedding Day
— “Play on Patterns”
2014, Silver (82), 16×20 Print, Portrait: Individual
— “Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps”
2014, Silver (81), 16×20 Print, Bridal Party / Family and Friends
— “Lollipop Kids”
2014, Silver (81), 16×20 Print, Bride and Groom Together: Wedding Day
— “Disney Hall Duo”
2014, Silver (80), 16×20 Print, Bride and Groom Together: Wedding Day
— “Mary J. Blige Celebrates Same Sex Marriage”
2014, Silver (80), 16×20 Print, Portrait: Individual
— “Houston Police Department”
2013, Second Place, Silver (83), 16×20 Print, Commercial/Advertising/Editorial
— “Folding Bicycle Demonstration”
2013, Third Place, Silver (82), 16×20 Print, Commercial/Advertising/Editorial
— “Lawn & Landscape: The Workers”
2013, Third Place, Silver (80), 16×20 Print, Engagement
— “Movie Lovers”
2013, Silver Distinction (85), Album, Wedding Multiple Photographers
— “Young-Gi & John”
2013, Silver Distinction (85), 16×20 Print, Commercial / Advertising / Editorial
— “Navy Seal: Act of Valor”
2013, Silver (83), 16×20 Print, Bride and Groom Together, Wedding
— “First Dance”
2013, Silver (80), 16×20 Print, Bride and Groom Together, Wedding Day
— “Uphill from Here”
2013, Silver (81), 16×20 Print, Bridal Party
— “Pipe Organ Processional”
2013, Silver (80), 16×20 Print, Wedding Photojournalism
— “F%#king Church Lady”
2013, Silver (80), 16×20 Print, Wedding Details
— “Kirk Loves Jesus”
2013, Silver (80), 16×20 Print, Animals / Pets
— “Lizard Lady”
2012, First Place, Gold (90), Album, Engagement
— “Movie Lovers”
2010, Second Place, Silver Distinction (88), Album, Non-Event Informal
— “Double Mastectomy”
2010, Silver (83), Album, Non-Event Informal
— “Nine Months”

PPA Competition

I entered the PPA International Photographic Competition once in 2017 where my entries were very well received.

2018, Grand Imaging Awards Finalist
2017, Bronze Medalist
2017, Merit, Event Album, First Place Regional Competition
— “The Force Awakens”
2017, Merit, Event Album
— “Love & Laughter”
2017, Merit, Album Non-Event
— “Nine Months”
2017, Merit, Album Non-Event
— “We Love Games”

Fearless Awards

Fearless Awards are presented to wedding photographers whose amazing images redefine wedding photography. Winning photographs are selected by curators who select winners from thousands of entries submitted by photographers from around the globe.

2020, Collection 57: Fearless Award
— “Spiderman vs. Batman”
2015, Collection 28: Fearless Award
— “The Allure of Men”
2015, Collection 19: Fearless Award
— “First Dance”
2014, Collection 19: Fearless Award
— “Mary J. Blige Celebrates Same Sex Marriage”
2013, Collection 14: Fearless Award
— “Disney Hall Duo”
2012, Collection 10: Fearless Award
— “Trampoline”
2012, Collection 10: Fearless Award
— “Size Matters”
2012, Collection 10: Fearless Award
— “Mother’s Love”

Junebug Weddings

Junebug Weddings Best of the Photo Contest celebrates 50 most creative, exciting, technically impressive, and truly personal photos submitted by wedding photographers across the nation and the world.

2014, Best of the Best Engagement Photos
— “Star Wars Fans”
2013, Best of the Best Wedding Photos Honorable Mention – Hilarious Wedding Photos
— “Mother’s Love”
2013, Best of the Best Wedding Photos Honorable Mention – Wedding Portraits
— “The Allure of Men”

The Knot

The Knot Best of Weddings titles are awarded to the top one percent of local wedding vendors and are based on feedback by provided by actual couples.

2018, Best of Weddings
2017, Best of Weddings
2016, Best of Weddings
2015, Hall of Fame
2015, Best of Weddings
2014, Best of Weddings
2013, Best of Weddings
2012, Best of Weddings

WeddingWire

This annual awards program recognized me in the top five percent of WeddingWire professionals who demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism based on positive experiences expressed by past clients.

2020, Couples’ Choice Award
2019, Couples’ Choice Award
2018, Couples’ Choice Award
2017, Couples’ Choice Award
2016, Couples’ Choice Award
2015, Couples’ Choice Award
2014, Couples’ Choice Award
2013, Bride’s Choice Award
2012, Bride’s Choice Award
2011, Bride’s Choice Award
2010, Bride’s Choice Award
2009, Bride’s Choice Award

Other Awards

Here are a few other awards and recognition that don’t fit into the other categories seen on this page.

2022, 5 Best Photographers in Houston, HTownBest
2022, Best Portrait Photographers Houston, Expertise
2021, Best Wedding Photographers Houston, Expertise
2021, Best Portrait Photographers Houston, Expertise
2020, Best Wedding Photographers Houston, Expertise
2020, Best Portrait Photographers Houston, Expertise
2019, Best Wedding Photographers Los Angeles, Expertise
2019, Best Portrait Photographers Los Angeles, Expertise
2016, Top 100 Photographers in the USA, SLR Lounge
2016, Member of the Month, WPPI

Rob’s Mom

My mother was stingy with her awards. In fact, I’m afraid that my emotional and personal growth were severely stunted because she wasn’t able to recognize my inner, hidden genius.

1984, Adequate Son Award
1983, Almost Perfect Attendance
1982, Most Improved
1978, Happy Kitchen Helper