After a whole lot of work, we are finally ready to start the Photo of the Year contest! The votes are in and the Top Ten Finalists in each category have been selected. I couldn’t be more excited about the talent we are about to share in the coming week. This is awesome! The first part of the series of posts is going to be an introduction to all of our lovely blogger judges. These ladies took the time out of their crazy schedules to help select the Top 30 photos out of over 500 submissions. Yes, you read that correctly… 500 submissions! The biggest group of submissions yet! I can’t wait to share them all with you!

Here is who you will be meeting this week!

Tuesday is Brit Tucker, from Landlocked Bride. Wednesday is Courtney Dial, from Pizzazzerie. Thursday is Lauren Grove, from Every Last Detail. Friday is Emma Arendoski, from Emmaline Bride. Four of my favorite bloggers and twitter friends!

Well, after 400 entries, five thousand votes, and the help of a few industry friends… Here are your Bliss Blog’s Second Annual Photo of the Year Contest winners! Monday, we announced the winners of the Engagement category. Yesterday, we announce the winners of the Homegrown category and today we are announcing the winners of the Around The World category.

Little known fact about our Around The World Category: The entries represented 14 different countries!

Congrats to…

Huge congrats go out to Bryan Rupp Photography! Not only are Bryan & Leah fabulous photographers, you can really get a feel for their sweet personalities on their site. To me, it speaks miles that Jordan and Luke (the couple in this photo) are the ones that submitted this picture on behalf of Bryan Rupp Photography! Congrats on winning first place. :)

Sybrand Cillié, of Pro Photography in South Africa was actually the winner of last year’s contest! Their work is always beautiful with a lovely vintage flair. If you have not seen it, please check out their website to see more of the gorgeous artwork!

I have to admit, I had never heard of Tag 7,  until this contest launched. I am now happy to inform that I am a HUGE fan. Their work speaks for itself! Beautiful, timeless, and full of energy. Congrats!

A big Thank You to everyone who voted! Please make sure to visit the winners’ websites and blogs to enjoy more of their beautiful work.

After the hundreds of votes and hours of tabulating… We have a WINNER! Our Wedding Photo of the Year was taken by the fabulous Sybrand Cillié of Pro Photography! Congrats Sybrand!

The second place photo was taken by our local fab photog Nicole Blair, of Nicole Ladonne Photography! Congrats Nicole!

And finally, our third place photo was taken by Jeffery Simms, of Jeffrey Simms Photo. Also, a local photographer! Go Michigan! :)

Congrats to all of our winners and to all of the amazing photographers that submitted their photos. I was blown away by your talent and I know our Bliss readers would say the same thing. You are all fabulous in our book!