Normally, I don’t like to brag a lot about my photography awards and achievements (except for my mom’s) but for this I’ll make another exception.  ;)  This is my hugest goal achieved!!!!  I’ve did it!!!!  It is such an honor to be a member of this awesome selection of photographers.

AAANNNDDD, not only did I make the list, but American Photo chose my photo for the freaking cover!!!  I nearly peed my pants when I saw the digital copy and I don’t think I’ll ever tire of looking at it.

Big thank you to American Photo Magazine for choosing me and for putting my photo on the cover.  I also need to thank Aimee Baldridge for her fantastic interviewing skills.  I talked with her a couple of times and I love how she pulled it all together for the magazine. Thanks to my mama and all of my friends and family who have supported me in doing what I love.  In my photographic community and with my clients I am known as Sergio Photographer, or just Sergio.  For the magazine I used my last name because I want my mom to know that she was right and I want both my mom and my dad to be proud of me while they show the magazine to their friends.

Now as Jay-Z says, “I’m on to the next one.”  :)

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This Jacqueline’s wedding at Montelucia Resort in Scottsdale, AZ.

Christopher having the time of his life at his wedding in Puerto Morelos, Mexico.

Kelli showing her rings during her wedding at her private home in Scottsdale, AZ.

Miriam and Domenic in Guaymas, Mexico.

Vivianne’s wedding close to Boulder, CO.

Lindsay and Tim’s wedding in Jeckyll Island, GA.

Emily’s wedding at the Valley Ho Hotel in Scottsdale, AZ.

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Thank you all for choosing me as your wedding photographers and trusting what I see.

The first 3 winning images are from one of my favorite weddings. Here is the link to the blog post.

Another reason why I love this contest so much is because it motivates me to capture a contest winner image at every wedding; because I love how happy my clients get to see some of their wedding images be world class award winners.

I am very excited about next contest and I hope to make more clients happy :-)

Here are my images that placed top 10 in different categories:

Andy and Drew, they are so amazing!. Their wedding is on May next year.

Molly and Carl. They are getting married in November of this year.

This image makes me thirsty!!

This is Tammy being delicately fed by her recently wedded husband in Cancun. I love this image!

Emily’s wedding party in Milwaukee.

Another cool thing was that I found out about the results while mentoring at a photography workshop in Dallas. And 6 of the top 20 places were present at this small workshop. Unfortunately we did not have time to celebrate even a little bit.

Also, coincidentially, Ed Atrero, the photographer that took first place, actually attended the same workshop last year. The workshop is called Foundation Workshop. If you are a wedding photographer and are frustrated that your images don’t have IT. try your best to attend this workshop in 2010; it will be amazing.

There are many categories with a list of winners on each. For overall, I won second place; which is pretty cool because all the other competitors are pretty damn good wedding photographers and, many of them, very good friends of mine. First place went to David Murray. David is one of the best wedding photojournalists and a great mentor too.

http://www.ispwp.com/contests/ispwp-fall-2008-photo-contest

This image was taken at Mercedes and Matt’s wedding 11/17 of last year. Their wedding was very emotional and I am so glad that they hired me as their photographer. I love this image but I never imagined that it would win first place in this highly competitive contest. I know that Mercedes is going to be very happy when I tell her the news, right after I complete this blog post.

This is a screen grab of the online version of the magazine. I can’t wait to get the print sample. I am going to get one for Mercedes and Matt too.

Update 4-11-08: I found a couple today. Mercedes, I am sending you one.