Brendan Smialowski/Political Photo of the Year
Brendan Smialowski, Agence France-Presse
Purple Heart: In a suit and body armor, Secretary Kerry pauses for a moment after arriving at the US Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq on September 10, 2014. Kerry has returned to Iraq for a second round of face-to-face meetings with leaders — including newly-elected Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi — about Islamic State.
Win McNamee/Photographer of the Year
PORTRAIT/PERSONALITY: First Place
Win McNamee, Getty Images
Return to Normandy: World War II veteran Raymond W. Sylvester, 95, who was with the 86th Chemical Mortar Battalion while fighting in France, watches as paratroop veterans drop into Picauville during a ceremony honoring those who fought in the Normandy campaign on the day before the 70th anniversary of D-Day June 5, 2014 in Picauville, France. June 6th marked the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings which saw 156,000 troops from the allied countries including the United States and the United Kingdom join forces to launch an attack on the beaches of Normandy.
PORTRAIT/PERSONALITY: Award of Excellence
Win McNamee, Getty Images
Return to Normandy: World War II veteran Charles Alford of the 6th Armor Division, from Waco, Texas, looks up Omaha Beach where he landed as part of the invasion of Normandy June 4, 2014 in Vierville-Sur-Mer, France. June 6th marked the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings which saw 156,000 troops from the allied countries including the United States and the United Kingdom join forces to launch an attack on the beaches of Normandy.
Insider’s Washington: Third Place
Win McNamee, Getty Images
Get A Room: U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder (L) kisses his wife, Sharon Malone (R), after announcing his resignation at the White House September 25, 2014 in Washington, DC. Holder has led the Department of Justice since the beginning of the Obama administration in 2009.
Picture Story/Politics: Second Place
Win McNamee, Getty Images
I Challenge Mitch: With the balance of power in the U.S. Senate at stake, and more than $80 million being fed into the race, Kentucky's Secretary of State Alison Grimes (D-KY) challenged incumbent Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) in the 2014 midterm election. The race featured a youthful and charismatic candidate against one of the most powerful and well financed incumbent members of Congress. While Grimes led early in the race, and remained tied in polls with McConnell for much of the year, the final month saw McConnell's monetary advantage and efforts to paint Grimes as an Obama surrogate begin to take effect. McConnell ultimately regained his lead and defeated Grimes to become the new Senate Majority Leader as the Republican party regained control of the U.S. Senate. U.S. Senate Democratic candidate and Kentucky Secretary of State Alison
Picture Story International: Second Place
Win McNamee, Getty Images
Normandy: June 6, 2014 marked the 70th anniversary of the invasion of Normandy. The invasion saw 156,000 troops from the allied countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada join forces for an assault credited with the eventual defeat of Nazi Germany. During the anniversary, veterans of the invasion were celebrated by the citizens of the region of Normandy who still hold great affection for their liberators. World War II re-enactors also flocked to the site to join in the celebration. With most veterans now in their nineties, this likely marked their final return in large numbers to the French coast to revisit the site of their historic accomplishment.
Political Portfolio: Second Place
Win McNamee, Getty Images
Portfolio: First Place
Win McNamee, Getty Images