8 Years of This is Reportage: 2024 – Isabelle Hattink’s Story Award
When the dress becomes the story
Some wedding days are defined by emotion, others by atmosphere — and sometimes, it’s the dress that steals the show. In 2024, Isabelle Hattink (Netherlands – TiR Profile / website) proved that even the most traditional symbol of a wedding can take on a life of its own, with a Story Award that had everyone smiling.
Across her sequence, the bride’s voluminous gown becomes a character in itself — sweeping through corridors, filling car doors, and dominating the aisle. From morning preparations to the ceremony and beyond, Isabelle followed its journey with perfect comic timing and an eye for rhythm. Every frame feels alive, full of energy and movement; a visual reminder that even the most elegant moments can be full of laughter and life.
But beyond the humour lies the heart of great storytelling. Isabelle’s work never laughs at her subjects — it laughs with them. There’s affection in every frame, and an instinctive understanding of how to balance playfulness with respect.
Why this Story Award stands out
Documentary wedding photography is often about emotion — but it can also celebrate personality, irony, and visual wit. Isabelle’s 2024 Story Award does all three. By noticing the relationship between a bride and her dress, she created a thread that carried through the whole day — a sequence that’s funny, joyful, and undeniably human.
Her storytelling reminds us that not all great images are solemn or cinematic. Sometimes, the most memorable stories come from leaning into chaos — from letting life unfold naturally and finding beauty (and humour) in its imperfection.
It’s this kind of vision that’s made Isabelle one of the best storytellers in the world — a photographer who consistently finds grace and humour in the real.
Here’s a selection from Isabelle’s Story Award; see the full set on the Collection 39 Awards page.
