This week, we hone in on beautiful lighting and daring photo compositions in images by Collin Pierson Photography, Gaga and Ben of Groovy Banana, Moriah and Taylor of Moriah Jae Photography, and Hollie Mateer of M and G Wedding Photography. View the featured images below and get the back story on how each one was executed.

Chicago-based photographer Collin Pierson loves daring photo compositions like this one, which was taken during a shoot for Medina Collection at New York Bridal Fashion Week in NYC on “a gorgeous sunlit day.”

“Early morning NYC light has got me excited for this fall,” wrote Pierson on his Instagram feed about the image. (Photographed with a Canon 5D Mark IV and 70-200mm f/2.8 IS III.)

[Read: 9 Things You Need to Develop a Signature Photography Style and Aesthetic]

Ben and Gaga of Port-Vila, Vanuatu-based Groovy Banana Photography say this blue cave on the magical Tanna Island (shown below) is very special. “You access this amazing spot by taking a boat for an hour and diving through the underwater entrance,” they explain, which is just what they did for this self portrait. “Then, as we had the place to ourselves, we went Adam and Eve style and embarked on this daring photo composition that immortalized the moment, as the sun was entering the cave, giving a church-like feeling.”

The image below, taken by Moriah Cummings of Moriah Jae Photography was taken in a tunnel at UBC Botanical Gardens in Vancouver BC. “The videographers had a sidelight and we had fog in a can so we worked together to get this shot,” she describes. ” I love how the fog shows off the light so well.

This photo (below) was taken at Hitchin Post Weddings in Surrey, BC, by Moriah Cummings husband Taylor, also of Moriah Jae Photography. “I think it’s hilarious because as all the groomsmen tried to do a kick at the same time…. One of them at the back fell and it was a very funny moment for all,” the duo explain.

Yorkshire, England, wedding photographer Hollie Mateer of M and G Photography says photographing details is such an important part of a wedding day. “Couples invest so much time into getting everything just right—dress, decor, flowers, music and in this instance, cake—and their choices are an extension of their personalities,” Mateer explains. “Details often say more about a wedding than they might, at first glance, seem to. I try to capture some of these details during the day: an object touched, held, thrown or discarded. I call these ‘reportage details.'”

In this case, Mateer photographed the wedding cake as it was being carried out by a guest, to be presented to the wedding party. “The cake emerged from a darkened doorway and was suddenly caught in the sunlight. I clicked the shutter at the precise moment that the hands and cake were visible, but not the rest of the figure,” says Mateer. “The cake’s colors and the tiered cake reflect the foxgloves growing by the door; the contrast of the dark around the bright cake picking out the detail precisely.”

[Read: Wedding Photojournalism: 11 Tips for More Impactful Images]

Mateer continues: “It is an image where a viewer can see and feel what’s happening beyond the frame—in a moment or two the wedding party and their guests will catch sight of the cake, their eyes widening, then perhaps even applauding. It’s a point of shared celebration and affirmation during the day. And this was such a happy day, full of color, energy and playful, personal touches.”

Dig into our Photo of the Day archives for even more eye-catching portraits and photos that incorporate daring photo compositions and cool lighting. Submit your wedding portraits, editorial, documentary and commercial image submissions here:  [email protected]