WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 8, 2026 – The White House News Photographers Association® (WHNPA) proudly announces the winners of the Digital Storytelling categories in the Digital Storytelling division of its 2026 Eyes of History® visual journalism competition.
WHNPA President Jessica Koscielniak said, “This year’s Digital Storytelling winners reflect extraordinary depth, creativity, and journalistic integrity. At a time when newsrooms are shrinking and the profession is increasingly fragile, this work demonstrates how visual storytelling can cut through complexity, foster understanding, and connect audiences to stories that matter—locally and globally.”
The competition’s panel of judges included filmmaker and investigative journalist Emily Kassie, visual journalist and educator Jarrad Henderson, and news and documentary producer Steve Sapienza. Reflecting on the entries, Kassie noted, “We were especially moved by the breadth of coverage and depth of NPR’s collective work. In a moment of contraction in journalism, the staff of NPR demonstrate how visual storytelling can cut through the noise, transport us to the frontlines, and do the essential work of truth-telling.”
Sapienza added, “The NPR story on food distribution in Gaza was really powerful. It made me feel like I was there, and I hadn’t seen many images like this elsewhere in the media.” Henderson called The Washington Post’s Facing Terminal Cancer With a Baby on the Way “masterful storytelling.”
Honors went to Bronson Arcuri and the team at NPR; Drea Cornejo and her colleagues at The Washington Post; and Tyrone Turner of WAMU for their outstanding work in the competition. The Video Journalist of the Year award was presented to NPR’s visual staff for their collective entries.
Full results for all contest divisions may be found on the WHNPA website at www.whnpa.org.
Top winners of the still, video, digital, and student contests will be celebrated at the annual Eyes of History® gala on September 19, 2026, in Washington, D.C. This black-tie event honors all the winning visual journalists.
The White House News Photographers Association® is a 105‑year‑old nonprofit dedicated to supporting professional visual journalists through education, scholarships, and its annual competition and gala. The top winners in the still, video, digital, and student categories will be honored at the annual Eyes of History® gala on September 19, 2026, in Washington. This black‑tie event celebrates all the winning visual journalists.
For more information, please contact Jessica Koscielniak at [email protected] or Executive Director Heidi Elswick at [email protected]. To learn more about The Eyes of History® and to view the winning images and videos, visit www.whnpa.org.