Award-Winning Wedding Photography: Lessons from Ten Fearless
Over the years I’ve been honoured to receive multiple Fearless Awards for my documentary wedding photography. These ten images represent moments of light, timing, and human connection that make wedding photography in Ireland so special. Fewer than three Irish photographers have ever won ten or more Fearless Awards and I’m proud to say that one of them is my wife Annie. Ten awards seem like as good a number as any to write a little but about what those moments taught me.
What the Fearless Awards Represent
The Fearless Awards are among the most respected recognitions in wedding photography. Each winning image is chosen from tens of thousands of entries submitted by photographers all over the world. They celebrate truth and creativity over perfection or posing. It is, of course possible to win a Fearless award for a posed portrait but I think it speaks about my photography that all Ten of my awards have some from documentary/candid/real moment photography.
For me these awards are not just about competition. They are about connection. Every photograph in this collection represents a real moment that could never be repeated. Having been President of the IPPVA for two years and co-founding Doc Day with Annie, I’ve spent much of my career helping photographers grow while staying true to the art of storytelling.
1. Light: Seeing Beyond the Obvious
Fearless Award 1: Castleknock Hotel, Dublin
A group of groomsmen raise their joined hands high to frame the bride beneath them, ready for her to pounce. I lay flat on the grass to shoot upward, letting the sky flood the frame. The symmetry, the low angle and the bold lines turned a fun idea into something graphic. The story is obvious and the moment is real. The photo I was orginally hoping for was the bride being flung into the air but this moment was the one that was full of anticipation and something a bit different.
The Lesson? Creativity often starts when you change your perspective.
Fearless Award 2: Donnybrook, Dublin 4
A bride obssessed with Rugby, made her bouquet out of a Rugbyball. Bridesmaids (most of whom played rugby with the bride) line up and reaching upward in perfect unison, sunlight catching every hand. These moments like this are easy to miss because they happen so fast. I focused on clean layers and timing rather than novelty.
The Lesson: A little tweak on tradition + originality + anticipate the peak = a great moment well caught.
2. Anticipation: Being Ready Before It Happens
Fearless Award 3: Ballymagarvey Village, Co. Meath
The couple walk through a tunnel of cheering guests waving white napkins under a ceiling of string lights. I positioned myself directly in their path and had Annie chase behind them with an off camera flash pointed straight at them. I just waited for the joy to move toward me.
The Lesson? Anticipation is emotional, not technical. You have to feel the energy before it happens.
Fearless Award 4: Borris House, Carlow
A guest in mid front flip on the dance floor as friends roar with laughter and panic around him. I was right up close on a wide angle lens for this and very nearly got a kick to the camera for my efforts.
The Lesson? The best dance floor images come when you stop waiting for action and just get up into the chaos instead.
3. Composition – Building Order in Chaos
Fearless Award 5: Vaughan Pub Kilfenora
Two “aunties” siting together during the drinks reception. I loved everything about this scene. I loved drinks on the table, the unlit cigarette juxtaposed with the no-smoking sign. I photographed this from the hip and I happen to know that this photo is framed in their homes. That means a lot to me.
The Lesson? I maintain that Wedding street photography is about respect but sometimes the most honest frame is the one they never noticed you take.
Fearless Award 6: Fallon & Byrnes, Dublin City Centre
Rain hits hard as guests sprint from City Hall toward Fallon & Byrne holding jackets over their heads. I framed multiple reactions within one moment of chaos.
The Lesson? Real life is messy. Embrace the movement and let the scene tell its own story.
4. Emotion – Photographing What It Feels Like
Fearless Award 7: Brooklodge, Co. Wicklow
James, the groom working hard to hold in the tears as the rest of the bridal party completely lose it. as the bride (Sarah-Kate) appears. The emotion was collective, quiet and deeply human.
The Lesson? Seeing the emotion build all morning made it easy to anticipate. I just needed for it all to line up. Which it did.
Fearless Award 8: Clonabreany House, Co. Meath
As the bride and groom kiss during the ceremony a their flower boy and son, appears out of nowhere to blow out the candle. His little expression is beautifully lit with by the candle light and provides instant comedy gold to what is a very recognisable wedding moment.
The Lesson? Weddings are never just about two people. They are about how everyone around them experiences love.
5. Timing – The Split Second That Tells the Story
Fearless Award 9: Salthill, Co. Galway
A flower girl, lost in her own world, mid ceremony is playing with her dress in front of the altar while the bride and groom are also in their own world. The innocence of the movement against the seriousness of the ceremony made the image.
The Lesson: Timing is not luck. It is patience and the willingness to keep watching even when nothing seems to be happening.
Fearless Award 10: Slane Castle, Meath
The couple cut their cake as it collapses right in front of them. Their expressions are priceless and tell us as much about the story as the broken cake..
The Lesson: Humor is timeless when it is real. You can’t direct scenes like this and expect authentic results.
What These Awards Mean to Me
Each Fearless Award feels like a quiet reminder to myself to stay curious. Awards to me are not about ego but rather proof that honest storytelling still matters in wedding photography. Ireland has a rich creative community and being part of the small group of photographers here to have received ten or more Fearless Awards is something I’m incredibly proud of.
If you are planning a wedding in Ireland and want your day photographed with authenticity and artistry I would love to hear from you.
About Kevin Kheffache
Kevin Kheffache is an award-winning documentary wedding photographer based in Dublin. Co-founder of Doc Day and former President of the IPPVA he is widely regarded as one of the best wedding photographers in Ireland. His work is known for its emotional honesty and storytelling approach.
FAQS
1. What makes you one of the best wedding photographers in Ireland?
I think it comes down to storytelling. My approach is completely documentary-driven — no posing or staging, just real moments photographed with honesty and artistry. The fact that this work has been recognised with multiple Fearless Awards is a lovely bonus.
2. How many Fearless Awards have you won?
I’ve received ten Fearless Awards so far. Each one feels like a quiet reminder to keep experimenting and stay curious about how stories can be told.
3. What is a Fearless Award and why does it matter?
Fearless Awards are given to photographers whose images show creativity, impact and authenticity. They’re judged by a rotating panel of respected international photographers, so being recognised means a lot — it’s not about ego, it’s about storytelling that connects.
4. Do you photograph weddings all over Ireland?
Yes, I’m based in Dublin but travel throughout Ireland for weddings — from castles and country houses to city celebrations. I also take on a small number of destination weddings each year.
5. How can we check if you’re available for our date?
You can reach out through my contact page to check availability. I reply quickly and will share details on packages and what would work best for your day.