Impromptu wedding shot worth gold

An image of a civil union marriage taken in 2013, earned photographer Michelle Fey a gold at the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography's Iris Awards. Photo / Michelle Fey

Smiles brimming with happiness draw you into an emotional tale told through a black and white image.

The picture combines wedding day bliss with childhood antics and was taken at the beachfront union of Maria and Cilla in November 2013.

Behind the lens was photographer Michelle Fey, who recalls the day with fondness: "It was a lovely image and a really cool moment, their wedding was so emotional - it was my first same sex marriage."

Following the ceremony, children changed into old clothes and took up play - one boy rode into a shot on his bike turning to say something which made the newlyweds smile.

"It was not planned, it's just something that happened - the kids were having a blast being kids."

The remarkable love story gained 90 points and a gold award from judges in the Wedding Classic category at New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography's Iris Awards.

Requirements stated it had to be shot 'in camera' with minimal post-production such as the use of Photoshop.

A panel included Hawke's Bay's own Richard Wood, named Photographer of the Year 2014.

He entered 10 images and won 10 awards - heading home with two golds, seven silvers, three of those with distinction and one bronze for 2015.

He said the "story-telling" element made Fey's picture stand out from the crowd: "Golds are like hen's teeth so it is a really cool thing," he said.

Ms Fey, who works alongside Eva Bradley shooting weddings, had never entered before and was watching online during deliberation over her deeply personal shot.

"There is just so much happiness and you can see that in their faces."

Ms Fey also won a bronze in the same category for a snap taken at the last wedding of the season - colleague Eva Bradley took out a bronze in the section, and a bronze in the Portrait Classic for an ethereal maternity image.

"I have never entered the competition, we have always been too busy and it was always out of the comfort zone but it's an amazing thing to do," she added.

Another local photographer, Loren O'Connor, gained three silvers and one bronze - all in the Portrait Creative category. She said it was something she had worked toward for a long time but never thought her work would do so well.

What started out as a hobby has grown to include award entries though she was "selective" as to what projects she picked up. "I certainly wasn't expecting silver".