Are you ready for more voting and awesomeness?!
Below you will find our Top Ten Finalists in the Michigan Category in our 3rd Annual Photo of the Year Contest. Please take a look at all 10 and decide which one is your favorite. To get a closer look, click the photo, wait for it to load and then click again. You will be able to see the set at full size, if you really want to inspect each one. ;) In order for your vote to count, you have to click the number of your favorite photo in the Poll at the bottom of the post AND leave a comment telling us which one you voted for and why you love it so much. If you don’t do both, your vote will not count, so make sure you follow the rules! Only one vote per email address.
Voting for the Michigan category ends on April 14th.
Your votes will be tallied and the Top Three in each category will be announced during the week of April 18th!
Also, if you are taking a second to vote, please consider donating to Wish Upon A Wedding below. This amazing organization grants wedding wishes for couples faced with terminal illness and seriously life-altering circumstances, regardless of sexual orientation. Thank you!



















#4 Got my vote. I’m just drawn to the natural feel of the photo. Such a warm shot, even if the sky is overcast :)
I voted for #10 – I love my clients!
#8 is my vote! Bay Pointe… a beautiful couple… and fun color with the balloons, couldn’t ask for anything better! :)
I vote for 10!
#5, what a fun shot of a fun day, with a fun group of people. yeah, i ‘m voting for fun!
I love the color and energy in #9! It makes me feel like I’m right there!
Melanie Reyes Photography got my vote! I dont think i have EVER seen that pose before!! Love it! So original! :)
Love everything about 7!
Voted for number 10. I love this shot…..
Voted for #8 because I adore Amanda and Ben!! :)
#3 – Classic pose and great light.
#5 is filled with such exuberant joy!
I have always loved the light of Kristen’s photography, every photo just glows. My vote is definitely K.Holly Photography.
#5 celebrates the moment! Wow!
LOVE #8 :)
I love #8. K. Holly is amazing!
#6 The moment!
Voted for #8 because it’s just a perfect moment and love the background.
Voted for #9. Just love everything about this photo.
i vote 6 because it shows the truth in a wedding!
#6!! Perfect capture of emotion. Bryan is a magician with the camera.
I voted for #5! I love the color, joy, and exuberance of this photo. It captures the excitement and small amount of fear (see the bride’s face) a bride and groom feel on their wedding day.
Great Joy captured in this photo!
I vote for #8. Beautiful moment, beautiful color, beautiful scene!
I Voted for #8
#8 gets my vote. Awesome pic!
(not sure if I submitted this comment twice, seems like it deleted the first time)
I vote for number 5 :)
Melanie is an amazing, talented photographer! My husband and I had so much fun with this shot.
No. 6 — it’s a genuine, nonstaged moment with incredible emotion.
I love, love, love #5! This is probably one of my all time favorite wedding photos. The bride is hilarious.
I love number 6!!! It captures the emotions so well!
I love that K. Holly picture. It has so much life. She really knows how to make the observer feel like they are in the shot.
I voted for #2! I love the natural feel and the classic pose of him kissing her shoulder. The tree is beautiful.
#5! Great shot! So much fun being there!
#9, I love the joy of it, the fun, the kiss…it’s all a perfect ending to the ceremony and start to the party!
Love #8! Very classic!
I love #1!
#10 – love my clients!!
I love number 1!!!!!!
#5 is amazing! It was so much fun to take this shot and watch those guys throw the groom in the air! Good job Mel!
Photo #1 is my favorite-the composition pulls me right into that wooded area, and I love the juxtaposition of the bride and groom’s wedding finery with the woods.
This is always tough…I know 7 of the 10 winners, but I have to give this one to Jason, #9. There is so much celebration going on surrounding the kiss…I love everything about that shot.
#5 – captures the excitement of the day.
I love number one the best. The tones, the composition and the atmosphere.
#5 Love all things Melanie Reyes Photography! Unique, clever, one of a kind!
I love for #8, just stunning!
#6 – Candid, shows the nervousness and excitement of the groom as the bride is walked down the aisle.
I like #1 because it really shows how we married couples are just a small part of something much larger.
Plus, Kyle told me to.
Love the Melanie Reyes (#5) shot – unexpected, and such energy!
#1 – This is such a moving piece, the way nature binds the scene is breathtaking.
#5 What a joyful photo!
I voted #2…just a beautiful romantic feel.
Number 3. It shows a golden future for this couple. Love the light and the fall color.
#2 got my vote! Love the pic!
I love #2. The location is beautiful. It looks like they are right out of a fairy tale!
Love #5…fun, colorful!!
#8 – K Holly all the way!
#5 – just pure fun and excitement!
#9 by Jason Aten Photography ALL THE WAY! The way he was able to capture not only the bride and groom’s happiness, but everyone surrounding them as well… a perfect photo of what looks like a perfect day! Plus it’s entirely candid– props to the photog!
#6 love this pic
LOVE #8! Love the emotion in it!
Voted for #10! A scene from another time..
#1 is pure art!
#5 original and FUN!
#6 is my favorite because the emotion in my grooms eyes says it all. Every time I look at this photo I can’t help but be put right back into that very moment – standing with my dad at my side and staring into the eyes of the man I was about to become one with.
#9 shows the joy of the occasion
#8 has my vote! I love k.holly and I love the pop of turquoise and the light in this photo!
#5… WOW!
#8 gets my vote!!!
Vote for #9!!!!!
#1!!! by far the best shot up there!
#9 ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!
#5 – Great shot Melanie! Such great expressions, such a unique shot
#5 is amazing! love it!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE #5! Soo creative, and it captures the sense of humor the couple has!
Even though one if the images of mine, I like to play fair. I LOVE #7, so that got my vote!
8, K. Holly all the way:)
#6 Because anyone can set up a portrait, but this image captures a moment in history in real time of the groom’s true bliss.
#8 – happiness!
#2 is beautiful- awesome posing under magnolias. Yum.
I voted for number 5–very fun and looks like a true day of celebration!
#2 – springtime and young love just go together
# 6 because it’s me! I couldn’t help my emotions…I finally got to see my bride walk down the aisle towards me
My vote is for #10 – what a beautiful way to incorporate architecture into a wedding photo.
#8. Beautiful!
I love #7, luckily, for the rest of my life :)
I voted for #7 because it conveys so much with just a smile.
I voted for Dustin’s because he voted for mine (and because it’s pretty)! THANKS DUSTIN!
PS: How cute is my bride’s husband’s comment about his gal’s photo a couple above mine. My clients are the cutest EVER.
I voted for 7 because it just radiates joy. I can imagine a bride hanging that large size on the wall!
I voted for 7 because I believe it expresses the real joy a bride feels on her wedding day! Beautiful work :)
I voted for number 7 because of the pure feeling of joy it evokes when looked at. The brightness just screams happy wedding.
LOVE #7! Heather is amazing.
I voted on photo 7 because it’s happy, it’s fresh, and it absolutely represents the real emotion of a bride on her wedding day. Love it!
#5-Best shot ever- what a great day, awesome couple and amazing photographer! :)
I voted for #8! Beautiful :)
Love photo # 6. The event of the day is all wrapped up in one shot, captured in the groom’s expression. Lighting, contrast and background are phenomenal. Great job, Bryan!
Number 5 is so playful and happy! I love it!
#7!! That smile is amazing and the photo is truly beautiful! This picture inspired me to choose Heather to shoot my wedding :) Heather is FABULOUS!!
A well framed, emotion filled candid…what else could you ask for?
I voted for #4. So beautiful!!
#6 – Because it isn’t posed, it is real, and it takes true skill to capture the moment like that.
#6 Captured the moment of seeing her in the dress for the first time perfectly. Nice moment.
I vote for number 2…beautiful picture of a couple just married and thinking of the life ahead of them…
I love #5. Definitely the most original one!
Love candid shots. They really show emotion well and are not planned. Bryan really is amazing!
#7 Heather captured the pure joy of a beautiful bride on her wedding day!
I voted #6 of course!
#5 so much fun:)
# 5. Very creative and I love everyone’s reactions…especially the brides!!
#6. Completely captures the essence of pure happiness
#8 She’s an amazing photographer and I love the lighting.
K Holly Photography!! Gorgeous!
I vote number 8!!
#7 Heather has captured the brides happiness through her smile – you go girl!
#5 is incredible!! really tells a story- lots of personality and beautiful colors !!
Absolutely love no 7.
#2 is beautiful!
i picked #6 because its candid and so sweet the way he is looking at his new bride.
#9 Interesting photo and a beautiful couple inside & out!
#5! Love the color!! Very original!
#6
I fee like this photo captures exactly what a wedding should be all about: love between two people–overwhelming, incredible, all consuming love.
I voted for Bryan Mitchell’s photo.
The reasons why.. it’s framed great, looking over the bride and father of bride’s shoulders capturing the grooms expression as he saw his bride for the first time. It’s not staged, it’s not posed, it’s not photoshopped to death like recent trends have gone.. everyone needs to vote for him, because it’s a REAL photo capturing the moment!
#8 – Love the water backdrop for a Michigan photo. :-)
Great shot.
6 cause its good
Number 7 evokes so many emotions in the viewer. Heather is a true artist who perfectly captures the bride’s joyful spirit in this photo.
Bryan captured a very real moment in a wedding. He’s got the eye.
#7!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love #1 but they are all great images!
I vote for #9! The joy and celebration of this piece is captured without anyone realizing it! One of the best candids I have seen in a long time!
#4…because it’s awesome! :)
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I vote for #9. A lot of color and a candid! You can’t do better than that!
I vote for #9! Great picture quality and it shows the joy of the occasion!
#7 shows true happiness
#6 I love that the focus is on the groom….the day is always about the bride that the groom is sometimes forgotten :)
#5 has so much fun and enthusiasm! I love the idea of risking everything for marriage.
#5 is awesome. :)))
I love #5 – It captures a special moment of the wedding day and is very unique. How many photographers can get this type of fun with the wedding party just right. Love the brides expression and the bridesmaids.
#2 – I’m blessed to know and have photographed this amazing couple and wedding. How can you not love young love, magnolias, and birdcage veils?!
#6, Bryan Mitchell Photography. That photo captures the emotions of a lifetime. The introspection that Bryan delivers in his work is second to none; He’s an artist.
#5 Love it! If you could have only one picture from your wedding, this one tells it all. I would have this framed and cherish forever.
LOVE LOVE LOVE #5!
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Duh, #8!! Kristen has made a career of capturing life & love’s perfect moments in the most beautiful of ways. Six gets a close second because it almost made ME cry!
#8 (k.holly) got my vote because this is such a classy shot and it reminds me of that New Years Eve photo of the sailor kissing the (nurse?) girl – so classic! I would LOVE a photo like this from my wedding! Good luck!
#4 is my fav and got my vote! Dustin always does a great job of capturing emotion!
#6 is amazing! Captures that magic moment and such a natural shot = great job!
I love #4. It shows the beauty of MI and the love and joy of newlyweds. All of Dustin’s work is awesome!
I vote for 7 because its purdy! :)
number 7! because heather is a brilliant photographer, as can be seen by this photo
#7… it is so romantic! Heather does amazing work!
#7! Heather definitely has a phenomenal sense of originality, and it shines brilliantly through any of her photographs!
Voted for #7 because she’s awesome.
#7 – it’s gorgeous, simple, elegant, and well shot
#7 to repay an old debt
I voted for #7 because Heather J. is the best photographer I know and this photo proves it!!!
#7 is magical
#7 by Miss Heather is great! I love her work!
#7, captures simple joy
#7 FTW
I love number #7. I can feel the bride’s joy when I look at the photo. I love the layout, and the bride looks like Jessica Biel. This is the perfect wedding day memory!
#7 is my favorite – I love that it’s not a typical ‘bride w/ veil’ shot, the lighting is amazing, and that smile was an amazing moment to capture.
I voted for #7 too. I love how the shot captures the emotions of the bride and you can really see how happy and special that day was for her. Such an amazing photo!
I love #7. Every photo that I’ve ever seen of Heather’s, I have loved. She has a rare talent for capturing the beauty in everything.
#7 – because it stands out from all others, which are beautiful but typical wedding photos. Since the identity of the woman is hidden, this photo conveys that almost any girl/woman could either imagine herself as the beautiful bride or maybe think back to her special day and how happy she felt. The bright colors underline the happiness and joy that a bride feels on her wedding day.
#7 is simply stunning!
Photo # 7 is just amazing! the lighting – gorgeous!
Love number 7….
I’m voting for #7 because the simple joy that’s shown, and the focus drawn to her smile makes this shot a one-of-a-kind expression of what that day truly means. Amazing…
#7 is perfection! So lovely!
#5 – Fun, fun, fun get’s my vote, and the colors are fantastic!
#7 is absolutely stunning! It’s a unique shot capturing the bride’s joy and excitement!
Love number 1!
I voted for #5. Wow!! What a unique shot. I’ve never seen anything like it. It definitely captured the excitement of the day.
Melanie Reyes does an amazing job of capturing the moment! I love this picture! The colors and the fun pose are great. She really captures the spirit of the people she photos!
I voted for #7 she’s amazing and very talented!
#7!!! so much joy and life – the hair swinging in her face, that beautiful smile – love the composition :)
#7: perfectly captured happiness.
heather j is awesome!!
you know, #7 is #1 to me!!
This picture has my vote because it shows how happy she is. A person’s smile tells everything about them. (:
Just a great photo all around!
#5 got my vote! You can feel the excitement of the day and the colors are so vibrant. Looks like that wedding was a blast to be at!
I voted for #7 because her photo not only captures the joy of the bride, but the sense of anticipation and anxiousness that wells inside the mind of the groom when he sees her face (from his perspective). During a Hindu wedding, the groom does not see the bride when she walks down the aisle. Instead, he finally sees her face when a red veil is lifted. This photo reminds me of the unveiling process and the emotions that come with it. Heather J. has made me wonder what my own wife will one day look like when the veil is removed.
#5 great Mel as all of your work
Photo #2 looks like a painting. What an eye!
#2 because it is stunning
#2! I love it! It’s so cute and it looks so elegant and classy!
I voted for #2 because it captures the romance of a wedding day.
#7! Heather is amazing!
I voted for #7. She’s an incredible photographer who works hard at what she does and always takes incredible photos!!
#2 was my pick. Sweet, elegant, great colors.
7! It’s composition is beautiful and precise, but it maintains the simple point of capturing the essence of the wedding day and all the joy with it. Adore it.
I vote for Heather J because she rocks!
#7 got my vote! Less is more!
I vote for #7 from Heather J photography. Great framing on that gem.
#7. The image is so light and airy and really captures the feel of that wedding in particular. :)
#7 – the angle, the color, the bride’s smile – perfection!
i voted for #2… everything about this shot is beautiful
Great work all around. It’s hard to pick a single winner because there is so much good work, but #7 really draws me in and makes me want to know more. Beautiful shot.
#5 gets my vote – you can feel the excitement!
#7 uses to fantastic advantage the hate and veil
#7. It’s unique; it isn’t a typical wedding photo.
Love #2…very romantic!
I voted for #7 for it’s ethereal feel. It captures that otherworldly bliss.
I love the moment captured forever for the couple in photo#6
#6 is pure, raw emotion
# 7 is a gorgeous portrayal of a woman’s joy on her wedding day!!
I think 7 is the best
#8 because I love the water behind the couple!! So Michigan
#2 – GORGEOUS!!
I love no. 7! All of the images are beautiful, but no. 7 isn’t like everything I have seen before. It is beautiful, creative & original!
#8, it’s a sweet picture.
#7, it’s pretty much amazing.
I voted for number 2 because it’s beautifully romantic!!
I think #7 is playful, lighthearted and unique. Love it!
The #2 is FULL of love.
I really liked it! :)
#7: I love how simply elegant it is. It isn’t distinctly “wedding” which is why I love it. It captures a simple happy moment from the big day.
#2 has my vote. No fancy poses or props, just a great photo highlighting the beautiful couple and scenery.
I vote #7 – it really like how it captures the joy of a wedding
#7. So beautiful. The honest feeling of a bride on her wedding day.
#7 is an amazing and beautiful picture!!
I love #2 because it’s simple yet very romantic!!
#2. So beautiful!
Beautiful work from all, but I really loved 7.
I voted for #7, she’s my sister and her photography is amazing!
#7 is awesome!! great work :)
#7 FTW!!!
number 7 because it’s beautiful!
#7 because I’m a sheep
#2, love it. Looks like the cover of a magazine. Love the picture!!
No. 2! Very romantic and beautiful!!
No.1 Creates the beautiful fantasy land that so many brides dream of for their wedding day!
Heather J has a very unique way of capturing a perfect moment – of being able to tell a couple’s story using her keen sense of photography ability in just a “flash”!
No. 7! I love how much emotion you can pull from this picture with only the bride’s smile. It’s perfect!
Melissa’s work is breath-taking!
#2 – The off-shoulder dress with the hair-piece, combined with the blossoming tree and architecture in the background, to give a Victorian-like feel to the photograph.
#2 Spring time and the beginning of Love with all the time in the world to enjoy.
#5 – great composition
I vote #7…it’s the most unique and it expresses MORE than words ever could :)
I VOTE #7! I enjoy imagining the the hidden gaze that compliments the smile. The unveiling of the bride to be.
#7. Such a happy moment :)
#7 because a smile says it all. :)
#7 cause it is fantastic and my name is Heather too
#7 – Heather’s photo exemplifies the happiness of a wedding day; it’s excellent.
#6, perfect moment, expression, and great composition
#5 Melanie Reyes Photography, That picture is amazing! What incredibly fun memories for that couple.. Great job capturing the JOY, Melanie!
#4 is awesome!
#2 – extremely elegant.
#5 is so cool! Amazing timing, amazing picture!!
7 cause i was told to
#7 most definitely the prettiest one there! :)
Number 5 gets my vote. Suits the wedding party perfectly, fun, and amazing composition!
#7 is so joyful and intimate. I love candid moments.
#7 I love how it shows the reaction of the bride just about to kiss her husband. It puts a great feeling in all girls hearts, knowing that one day that face will be theirs. WONDERFUL PICTURE!!!
#4- the world is open and ready… and this couple looks like they are ready to explore together!
I voted for #7 because I like Heather and the qulaity of work she performs.
#5 is my favorite. So creative and fun!
an awesome shot…great smile.
#7. an awesome shot…great smile…sorry for not adding the number, but i did go three for three on forgetting it the first time. btw, great contest with very talented artists.
#7 is such a pretty picture & Heather is awesome!!
I voted for #2 Two Ring Photography because the background is so beautiful, and the pose is great too!
#5…captures excitement for the unknown ahead
#5-Who even thinks to take a shot like this one??? Not your everyday wedding photo! Melanie is the BEST!
I couldn’t resist that tree in #2! But they are all gorgeous!
#7 took my breath away. So fresh!
Definitely a hard one. But, I chose #6. The emotion in the groom’s face totally does it for me.
number 7 because its amazing
I voted for #7. Really fantastic shot.
#7…because i was there {second shooting}
I voted for # 7, what a great way to capture the bride`s happiness, you can tell she is having a blast!!! Love that picture!!
I picked number 7 because Heather’s pictures are always so unique, they do more than capture the physical, they capture the moments and feeling of the events she works.
#7 because it’s my favorite!
#7 Because it’s beautiful.
I vote for #2 This is a beautiful picture of 2 people starting their life…..awesome
#7, all you need is a smile that explains it all. absolutely beautiful!!
#3 by Melissa Patterson Gallery is stunning! :)
#7 By far, it’s a beautiful picture.