A Brit snapper has bagged a massive win on the global stage after scooping the top prize in one of the world’s biggest wedding photography contests.
The 2025 International Wedding Photographer of the Year Awards have revealed their champions – and it’s a UK lensman who’s walked off with the coveted Grand Winner Overall title.
David Scholes wowed judges with a hilarious and perfectly timed shot of a cheeky young wedding guest, beating thousands of rivals to clinch the crown.
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More than 2,500 images from 568 photographers across 61 countries were entered, but Scholes’ picture stood out for its simplicity, humour, and spot-on composition.
The winning snap – a charming moment caught between a kid and a wedding cake – has now gone viral among photography fans, who say it sums up the magic of unpredictable wedding days.
“This photo was taken at Mitton Hall in the Ribble Valley,” David told What’s The Jam.
“I don’t stop working at weddings, and even when there doesn’t seem to be much happening, I will still look for something interesting that can be part of the story.
“This is exactly how this image came to be.”
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According to David, the couple and their pals were enjoying cocktails and canapés on the terrace while he roamed about capturing the action.
He said: “After an hour or so, I felt I was starting to overshoot what was happening there, and thought I’d get a few shots of the room set up and cake.
“The cake was on a table in front of the back window, which has a narrow path behind which is joined to the terrace where the guests were.
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“As soon as I walked in and saw the cake, I quickly noticed a boy charging back and forth outside.
“To me, a photo of a cake is boring, but I thought if I could catch this kid in one of the window frames as he’s running and use the cake as context to frame the shot, that would make a better picture.”
David said: “So I crouched lower and slowly moved closer – at some point switching from the camera with an 85 to the body with a 35 and tried to square my composition as much as possible so the windows weren’t wonky.
“As I did, the kid suddenly stopped and noticed the cake – pulling the face that I’ve captured here.
“Shortly after this, the boy ran off.
“Moments like this happen at most weddings and are what I’m always looking for and challenging myself to get.”
Second place went to US photographer Maddie Mae for her dramatic desert engagement shoot.
A host of other winners were crowned across multiple categories, with Maddie Mae also taking first place in the Engagement Session award.
French photographer Armen Hambardzumian topped the Black & White category, Alessandro Biggi bagged Epic Location, and Tony Iskra won From Above/Aerial.
Oli Prince scooped the Couple Portrait gong, Jeff Tisman won Dance Floor/Party Time, and Katy Homan was awarded best Solo Portrait.
Traci Edwards triumphed in Break The Rules, Sammie and Micah Chaffin topped the LIT category, Momment Picture won I Do Crew, and Oli Prince took home his second honour as Emerging Artist of the Year.
Now in its ninth year, the International Wedding Photographer of the Year Awards exist to celebrate, reward and champion standout wedding photography from across the globe.
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