Nation's Leading Photographers Compete for Top Awards (download)(WASHINGTON, D.C. – Feb. 14, 2016) - The White House News Photographers Association® announced that EPA photographer Jim LoScalzo has been named “Photographer of the Year” and Doug Mills of The New York Times has won “Political Photo of the Year” in the 2016 ‘Eyes of History®’ contest judging at the National Geographic Society in Washington, DC.
LoScalzo won first prize in the portfolio category to seal the honor. “I’m happy to be recognized among such a talented group of photojournalists,” LoScalzo said. “I thought a lot of the other winners were very strong.”
Doug Mills’ image of President Barack Obama walking across The Edmund Pettus Bridge on the 50th Anniversary of “Bloody Sunday” was selected as Political Photo of the Year. “Many thanks to the judges. It’s an honor to have my work recognized with such great entries from my colleagues,” Mills said.
In commenting on the WHNPA ‘Eyes of History®’ contest winners, President Whitney Shefte said, “Our photographers are the very best in the world, and our contest winners prove that. Congratulations to all, and special thanks to all of our volunteers!”
The judges for the 2016 ‘Eyes of History®’ stills competition were: Melissa Farlow, Michael Robinson Chavez and William Snyder. Still Photography contest chairwoman Nikki Kahn said “The judges did an amazing job bringing an insightful and thoughtful critique to this year’s WHNPA contest. We congratulate all those who participated in making this year’s contest great. We could not do this without the participation of the committee and volunteers.”
The multimedia, video and student competitions were also judged at the National Geographic Society over the weekend.
The top winners of the still, video, multimedia and student contests will be honored at the annual ‘Eyes of History®’ gala on June 18, 2016, at the Ritz-Carlton in Washington. The black-tie event celebrates all the winning photojournalists and the President of the United States. Nearly 1,000 guests, including government dignitaries and industry celebrities, attend.
The White House News Photographers Association is a 95-year-old non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the efforts of Washington’s professional visual journalists. The WHNPA aims to provide professional and educational outreach to its members and the community through scholarships, programming, an annual competition and a celebration of the industry at the annual “Eyes of History®” gala.