buffalo wedding photographer neal urban awards books



2009 - Neal's image graces the cover of the local "Brides" magazine. This is Neal's first publication.


2011 - Four years after Neal first picked up a camera he wanted to see where his work stood against others. Not only in the Buffalo, NY market but in the world. The only place he could find out was by submitting images to the most prestigious photography competition in the world, WPPI (Wedding & Portraits Photographers International). The conference and competition takes place every year in Las Vegas, Nevada.


Neal submits a few images in the 16x20" Print Competition where the prints are judged by the worlds top photographers. They judge the prints based on visual impact, emotional impact, originality, storytelling, lighting, composition, posing, post production and print quality. It takes a lot of skill just to receive a single award.

Neal wins big with 3 Silver awards!


2011 - Neal's image named "The Hurricane" wins "The Viewers Choice Award" from PDN's Top Knots Magazine!


2011 - "The Hurricane" is published in Cosmopolitan Bride Magazine of China. The image is featured in the "Top 100 Most Romantic Wedding Photos of the Year" issue. "The Hurricane" places #16 out of 100!


2012 - Neal is published in Rangefinder Magazine with a 6 page spread! The magazine is first released in Las Vegas during WPPI's photography conference where 16,000+ photographers receive a free copy with their ticket of entry.


2012 - Neal wins a Silver medal award in the wedding photojournalist category of the 16x20" Print Competition!


2012 - The Creative Director of Rangefinder Magazine names one of Neal's images "The Favorite Wedding Photo of the Year!" and is published again for that honor.


2012 - Neal's image graces the cover of the local "Brides" magazine for the 2nd time!


2013 - Neal wins 3 more Silver awards in WPPI's 16x20" Print Competition! The one image is of Danielle that Neal took of her in her wedding dress after they got married in California. The image is Neal's wedding gift to Danielle.


2013 - Neal & Danielle win a GOLD award from the WPPI 16x20" Print Competition with an outstanding and nearly perfect score of 96! That score lands them 3rd place overall against 3,000+ entries. A crystal award is given to Neal & Danielle!


2013 - Neal & Danielle's images are used by a popular wedding album company for its marketing campaign that was featured in Rangefinder Magazine as well as Professional Photographer Magazine. A print paper company also uses their images for their marketing campaign.


2013 - Neal & Danielle's images are featured in a book called "500 Poses for Photographing Group Portraits" published by Amherst Media Inc.


2014 - Neal wins 2 more Silver awards in WPPI's 16x20" Print Competition!


2014 - Neal is published in Rangefinder Magazine where he made the WPPI honor role for his Awards of Excellence.


2014 - Neal & Danielle author their first book called "Dream Weddings" published by Amherst Media Inc. sold in most photography retail stores, national books stores such as Barnes n Noble and can be purchased online at Amazon.com as well as digital reader stores.


2014 - Neal is featured in a book called "How to photograph Weddings - Behind the scenes with 25 leading Pro's to learn Lighting, Posing and more!" published by Amherst Media Inc.


2014 - Neal & Danielle author a 2nd book called "Art of Engagements" published by Amherst Media Inc. sold in most photography retail stores, national books stores such as Barnes n Noble and can be purchased online at Amazon.com as well as digital reader stores.


2015 - Neal wins 2 Silver Awards with one distinction from the WPPI 16x20" Print Competition!


2015 - Danielle enters her first print into the WPPI 16x20" Print Competition and receives her first Silver award! The chairman of the competition thinks the image is too good to be true (photoshopped) and threatens to disqualify the print. Danielle provides proof that the image is indeed real. Danielle wins Silver!


2015 - Neal & Danielle are published in a book called "500 Poses for Photographing Full Length Portraits" published by Amherst Media Inc.


2015 - Neal & Danielle win 7 Silver Awards with Distinction in the WPPI 1st & 2nd half Online Competition!


2015 - Neal's image of a Bride at Disney World graces the cover of the Buffalo Bridal Expo Program.


2016 - Neal & Danielle win 4 more Silver Awards with Distinction from the WPPI 16x20" Print Competition!


2016 - Neal is nominated for "Best Photographer" by a local newspaper in Niagara Falls, NY. Neal publicly asks voters not to vote for him since he is not a resident. The voters have spoken and crown Neal with the title of "Best Photographer"!


2016 - Neal earns the title of "Master Photographer" by WPPI at the Awards Ceremony at the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas, NV. It is one of the highest achievements a wedding and portrait photographer can receive.


2016 - Neal's image graces the cover of the local "Brides" magazine for the 3rd time!


2017 - Neal retires from the WPPI Print Competition.


2017 - Neal & Danielle are featured in a book called "How to Start a Photography Business" published by Amherst Media Inc.


2017 - Neal & Danielle are featured in an article called "How to Pick a Wedding Photographer" by StepOutBuffalo.com


2018 - Neal & Danielle are featured in a booked called "Cute Babies" published by Amherst Media Inc.


2019 - Neal enters into the popular "Shoot & Share" photo contest. One of Neal's images came in 15th place. "15th place isn't something we'd write home about but when it's up against over 1.1 Million images, then we'll take it as a win!"


2020 - Neal & Danielle author a 3rd book called "Family Portrait Techniques for iPhone, Android & All Smartphones" published by Amherst Media Inc. sold in most photography retail stores, national books stores such as Barnes n Noble and can be purchased online at Amazon.com as well as digital reader stores.


2020 - Neal & Danielle's image graced the cover of "VOWS" Magazine titled "Brighter Days Ahead... Special COVID-19 Edition". VOWS Magazine is distributed to Wedding Retailers across the United States.


Neal poses with his featured article in Rangefinder Magazine at the 2012 WPPI Photography Convention inside the MGM Grand Conference Center where over 16,000 photographers also received their copy!buffalo wedding photographer neal urban rangefinder