Top 50 Fearless Photographers in the world. What does that even mean?
Recognized as one of the Top 50 Fearless Photographers in the world and the only studio in British Columbia, tied for first in Canada on the 2025 list.
On one hand, compared to everything else in life that matters more, it changes nothing. Your people, your relationships, your memories, those will always be bigger than any award.
On the other hand, we are absolutely going to celebrate it.
Being named among the top wedding photographers in Canada on the Fearless Photographers Top 50 list is a huge honour. Pursell Photography has been named one of the Top 50 Fearless Photographers in the world, and we are currently the only photographers in both Canada and British Columbia on that list. Out of thousands of wedding photographers around the globe submitting tens of thousands of images each year, our British Columbia – Lower Mainland, Vancouver-based team landed a spot among the very best.
What and who is Fearless?
Fearless Photographers is a global community and directory for couples who truly care about photography. It is where bold, creative wedding photographers from over 90 countries come together to share work, learn, and compete in some of the toughest contests in the industry.
When it comes to wedding photography awards, the Fearless Photographer Awards are recognized worldwide as one of the hardest to win. In each round, roughly 10,000 to 13,000 photos are submitted by hundreds of photographers from all over the world, and only about 1 to 3 percent of images win.
These awards are not about likes, followers, or playing to trends. They are about bold creativity, technical skill, and capturing real emotion in a single frame. When you scroll through the winning images, there is a difference. Each photograph feels like a one-of-a-kind moment, an honest story told in a single heartbeat.
Fearless also does something important. They do not hand out “best photographer in each country” badges because it is a truly global community. You are measured against photographers from everywhere, not just your own backyard, and you earn your place on a worldwide stage. This year, when you look at the Top Photographers list—the only studio from British Columbia is tied for 1st in Canada on the 2025 list.
If you want to dive deeper into our journey with these contests, you can read more in our post on being an award-winning Vancouver wedding photographer.
How the Fearless Top 50 Wedding Photographers list works
Fearless runs multiple award contests each year. Every round, photographers from around the world submit their strongest work. A rotating panel of respected judges goes through those thousands of images and selects only a tiny percentage for the Fearless Awards.
Those awards are given for light, composition, originality, authenticity, and impact. Not for the biggest venue or most expensive dress. It is about timing, story, and emotion.
The Top 50 list then looks at who has earned the most awards across the year. Not one lucky frame, but consistent work that keeps standing out over and over again. That is how we ended up on the Top 50 list.
If you would like to see some of the images that have been recognized over the years, you can check out:
- Our in-depth feature on award-winning Vancouver wedding photography
- A favourite BC beach elopement in the mountains
- Our helicopter elopement adventures in BC
What matters even more
Fearless is amazing. The recognition feels surreal. But the best part, for us, is still the real-life side of all of this.
Even after 17 years in business, we care more about the real moments than the trophies. We would rather stay true to our vision, create honest, emotional images, and let our work speak for itself, whether that is in front of an international jury or in your living room as you flip through your album.
We pour a lot of heart and energy into every wedding and elopement. Long drives. Wild weather. Late nights. Risky lighting setups. Early mornings with coffee and nervous parents. Helicopter blades and snow angels. Quiet apartments and tearful hugs.
That is what we live for. The fact that this kind of work is also being recognized on a global stage is a bonus we are incredibly grateful for.
Why couples trust us with their stories
Here is what this win says about what we do for our couples.
- Location scouting and adventure. From our own mountain lake backyard to helicopter peaks, we help couples find places that feel private, wild, and personal.
- Candid, emotional storytelling. Some of our favourite images happen in the quietest parts of the day. A mom fastening a necklace. A grandma wiping away a tear. You can see more of that in our getting ready wedding photos guide.
- Two photographers, every angle. Working as a team means one of us can stay close to the action while the other chases a different perspective. From flower girl tumbles to wild dance floors, our two photographer examples show how nothing important gets missed.
- Lighting expertise. Whether it is wildfire smoke, sideways rain, or a dark reception space, our advanced lighting approach lets us turn tricky conditions into something cinematic instead of a problem.
If you are dreaming of an intimate, adventurous celebration, our guides on micro wedding venues in Vancouver and the best places to elope in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland are a great place to start planning.
A note from Fearless, and what it meant to us
In the email announcing the Top 50, Fearless told us to pause, celebrate, and take it in. You rocked it.
That simple message hit hard. As photographers, we are usually thinking about the next wedding, the next gallery, the next idea. Slowing down to actually feel proud is not something we do very often.
They also shared that they hope Fearless continues to be a place where our work is seen, valued, and celebrated, and that they cannot wait to see what we do next. That is exactly how we feel about our couples. We want your stories to be seen, valued, and celebrated in a way that feels like you.
Thank you
This Top 50 in the WORLD recognition belongs to every couple who has trusted us with their day.
To everyone who has stepped into the rain with us, hiked hills in wedding clothes, squeezed into helicopters, braved freezing wind on lake shores, or simply let us stay close in the quiet, emotional moments at home, thank you. You are the reason these images exist.
We are proud to be part of the Fearless community and even more proud to keep telling stories here in Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, and across British Columbia.
Ready for award-winning wedding memories?
Every photo we create is more than an award. Our couples consistently mention the mix of calm direction, adventurous locations, and cinematic lighting in their reviews. It’s a real story, a real couple, and a once-in-a-lifetime moment we were trusted to photograph. From simple, emotional mornings in Vancouver apartments to snowy helicopter summits in the Fraser Valley, we love helping you turn your wedding into something you will never forget.
If you are planning a wedding or elopement in Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Sea to Sky or anywhere in British Columbia, and you want that mix of real moments, adventure, and creative lighting, we would love to chat.
- Explore more stories on our main blog
- Learn about us and our approach on the About page
- Or go straight to our contact page to book a complimentary consultation and start planning your photos