Awards & Recognition
Participating in photography competitions pushes me further as a professional photographer.
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I'm very competitive and that drive is reflected in continuous efforts to improve. This awards list is an overview of the more notable recognition I've received as a product photographer, portrait photographer, and wedding photographer.
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WPPI Competition
The WPPI 16x20 Print, Album, and Filmmaking Competition recognizes outstanding photographers and filmmakers.
The awards are presented each year at the WPPI Wedding and Portrait Photography Conference + Expo held in Las Vegas, an event focusing on the creative and business aspects of wedding photography, portrait photography, and filmmaking.
To help put these awards in perspective, WPPI is the largest wedding and portrait photographer organization in the world and to many folks, these awards are the Oscars of the photography industry.
At the annual awards ceremony in Las Vegas, winners are called to the stage where they're presented with crystal trophies. Some winners are then encouraged to make a short speech where those photographers sometimes cry like babies. Not that I'd ever admit to crying on stage.
I've been recognized with 50+ awards from WPPI including four 1st place, three 2nd place, and three 3rd place trophies. I've also been awarded the title Double Master of WPPI—one of only 32 photographers in the world who can claim that title.
- 2019, Title Bestowed
— Double Master of WPPI - 2019, Silver (80), 16x20 Print, Bride Alone Wedding Day
— "I'm Starting to Rethink Hiring This Photographer Because He's Making Me Stare Into the Sun So Long I'm About to Go Blind" - 2019, Silver (83), 16x20 Print, Newborn
— "Goo, Goo, Gah, Gah, Mah, Mah, Dah, Dah" - 2018, First Place, Silver (80), Wedding Couple Together: Wedding Day (Second Half)
— "Spiderman vs. Batman" - 2018, Silver (84), Newborn (Second Half)
— "Baby in a Bucket" - 2018, Silver (82), Group / Families (Second Half)
— " He Was My Personal Trainer Before I Asked Him to Marry Me" - 2018, Silver (82), Wedding Photojournalism (Second Half)
— "Yummy" - 2018, Silver (82), Wedding Photojournalism (Second Half)
— "The Brassiere" - 2018, First Place, Silver (82), In-Camera Artistry
— "Three Squared" - 2017, Silver (83), Album, Wedding Multiple Photographers
— "The Black Dress" - 2017, Silver (82), Album, Wedding Multiple Photographers
— "Love & Laughter" - 2016, Third Place, Silver Distinction (85), Album, Wedding Multiple Photographers
— "The Force Awakens" - 2016, Silver (81), Album, Non-Event Informal
— "Nine Months" - 2016, Silver (81), Digital, In Camera Artistry
— "The Belly" - 2015, Silver Distinction (86), 16x20 Print, Wedding Photojournalism
— "Mother" - 2015, Silver Distinction (85), 16x20 Print, Wedding Photojournalism
— "Popping Pappa" - 2015, Silver (84), 16x20 Print, Engagement
— "Star Wars Fans" - 2015, Silver (81), 16x20 Print, Wedding Photojournalism
— "The Grandparents" - 2015, Silver (81), 16x20 Print, Portrait: Individual
— "Wolverine" - 2015, Silver (81), 16x20 Print, Wedding Couple Together: Wedding Day
— "Jumping" - 2015, Silver (80), 16x20 Print, Bride or Groom Alone: Wedding Day
— "The Black Dress" - 2015, Silver (80), 16x20 Print, Portrait: Children
— "The Cub Scout" - 2015, Silver (80), 16x20 Print, Engagement
- — "The Jugglers"
- 2015, Silver (80), 16x20 Print, Wedding Photojournalism
- — "Daddy"
- 2015, Silver (80), 16x20 Print, Wedding Photojournalism
— "Mirrored Sunglasses" - 2015, Silver (81), 2nd Half Online, Engagement
— "Sky Walkers" - 2014, Title Bestowed
— Master of WPPI - 2014, First Place, Gold Distinction (95), Album, Engagement
— "501st Legion" - 2014, Second Place, Silver Distinction (85), 16x20 Print, Bridal Party / Family and Friends
— "First Dance" - 2014, Gold (91), 16x20 Print, Fashion
— "The Bubbles Are In Camera" - 2014, Gold (90), 16x20 Print, Bridal Party / Family and Friends
— "Joyful Joy" - 2014, Silver (83), 16x20 Print, Bride and Groom Together: Wedding Day
— "Play on Patterns" - 2014, Silver (82), 16x20 Print, Portrait: Individual
— "Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps" - 2014, Silver (81), 16x20 Print, Bridal Party / Family and Friends
— "Lollipop Kids" - 2014, Silver (81), 16x20 Print, Bride and Groom Together: Wedding Day
— "Disney Hall Duo" - 2014, Silver (80), 16x20 Print, Bride and Groom Together: Wedding Day
— "Mary J. Blige Celebrates Same Sex Marriage" - 2014, Silver (80), 16x20 Print, Portrait: Individual
— "Houston Police Department" - 2013, Second Place, Silver (83), 16x20 Print, Commercial/Advertising/Editorial
— "Folding Bicycle Demonstration" - 2013, Third Place, Silver (82), 16x20 Print, Commercial/Advertising/Editorial
— "Lawn & Landscape: The Workers" - 2013, Third Place, Silver (80), 16x20 Print, Engagement
— "Movie Lovers" - 2013, Silver Distinction (85), Album, Wedding Multiple Photographers
— "Young-Gi & John" - 2013, Silver Distinction (85), 16x20 Print, Commercial / Advertising / Editorial
— "Navy Seal: Act of Valor" - 2013, Silver (83), 16x20 Print, Bride and Groom Together, Wedding
— "First Dance" - 2013, Silver (80), 16x20 Print, Bride and Groom Together, Wedding Day
— "Uphill from Here" - 2013, Silver (81), 16x20 Print, Bridal Party
— "Pipe Organ Processional" - 2013, Silver (80), 16x20 Print, Wedding Photojournalism
— "F%#king Church Lady" - 2013, Silver (80), 16x20 Print, Wedding Details
— "Kirk Loves Jesus" - 2013, Silver (80), 16x20 Print, Animals / Pets
— "Lizard Lady" - 2012, First Place, Gold (90), Album, Engagement
— "Movie Lovers" - 2010, Second Place, Silver Distinction (88), Album, Non-Event Informal
— "Double Mastectomy" - 2010, Silver (83), Album, Non-Event Informal
— "Nine Months"
PPA Competition
I entered the PPA International Photographic Competition once in 2017 where my entries were very well received.
- 2018, Grand Imaging Awards Finalist
- 2017, Bronze Medalist
- 2017, Merit, Event Album, First Place Regional Competition
— "The Force Awakens" - 2017, Merit, Event Album
— "Love & Laughter" - 2017, Merit, Album Non-Event
— "Nine Months" - 2017, Merit, Album Non-Event
— "We Love Games"
Fearless Awards
Fearless Awards are presented to wedding photographers whose amazing images redefine wedding photography. Winning photographs are selected by curators who select winners from thousands of entries submitted by photographers from around the globe.
- 2020, Collection 57: Fearless Award
— "Spiderman vs. Batman" - 2015, Collection 28: Fearless Award
— "The Allure of Men" - 2015, Collection 19: Fearless Award
— "First Dance" - 2014, Collection 19: Fearless Award
— "Mary J. Blige Celebrates Same Sex Marriage" - 2013, Collection 14: Fearless Award
— "Disney Hall Duo" - 2012, Collection 10: Fearless Award
— "Trampoline" - 2012, Collection 10: Fearless Award
— "Size Matters" - 2012, Collection 10: Fearless Award
— "Mother's Love"
Junebug Weddings
Junebug Weddings Best of the Photo Contest celebrates 50 most creative, exciting, technically impressive, and truly personal photos submitted by wedding photographers across the nation and the world.
- 2014, Best of the Best Engagement Photos
— "Star Wars Fans" - 2013, Best of the Best Wedding Photos Honorable Mention – Hilarious Wedding Photos
— "Mother's Love" - 2013, Best of the Best Wedding Photos Honorable Mention – Wedding Portraits
— "The Allure of Men"
The Knot
The Knot Best of Weddings titles are awarded to the top one percent of local wedding vendors and are based on feedback by provided by actual couples.
- 2018, Best of Weddings
- 2017, Best of Weddings
- 2016, Best of Weddings
- 2015, Hall of Fame
- 2015, Best of Weddings
- 2014, Best of Weddings
- 2013, Best of Weddings
- 2012, Best of Weddings
WeddingWire
This annual awards program recognizes the top five percent of WeddingWire professionals who demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism based on positive experiences expressed by past clients.
- 2020, Couples' Choice Award
- 2019, Couples' Choice Award
- 2018, Couples' Choice Award
- 2017, Couples' Choice Award
- 2016, Couples' Choice Award
- 2015, Couples' Choice Award
- 2014, Couples' Choice Award
- 2013, Bride's Choice Award
- 2012, Bride's Choice Award
- 2011, Bride's Choice Award
- 2010, Bride's Choice Award
- 2009, Bride's Choice Award
Other Awards
Here are a few other awards and recognition that don't fit into the other categories seen on this page.
- 2022, 5 Best Photographers in Houston, HTownBest
- 2022, Best Portrait Photographers Houston, Expertise
- 2021, Best Wedding Photographers Houston, Expertise
- 2021, Best Portrait Photographers Houston, Expertise
- 2020, Best Wedding Photographers Houston, Expertise
- 2020, Best Portrait Photographers Houston, Expertise
- 2019, Best Wedding Photographers Los Angeles, Expertise
- 2019, Best Portrait Photographers Los Angeles, Expertise
- 2016, Top 100 Photographers in the USA, SLR Lounge
- 2016, Member of the Month, WPPI
Rob's Mom
My mother was stingy with her awards. In fact, I'm afraid that my emotional and personal growth were severely stunted because she wasn't able to recognize my inner, hidden genius.
- 1984, Adequate Son Award
- 1983, Almost Perfect Attendance
- 1982, Most Improved Groomer
- 1978, Happy Kitchen Helper
- 1976, Best Block Walker