Photography Categories
Top Honors
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Student Still Photographer of the Year - Minh Connors, University of Missouri
Award of Excellence - Lukas Flippo, Yale College
Video Categories
Top Honors
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Student Video Photographer of the Year - Brett Eugene Phelps, Western Kentucky University
Runner-Up - Nicole Aponte, Syracuse University
Sports
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First Place - Brett Eugene Phelps, Western Kentucky University
General News or Feature: Narration
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First Place - John Beretta Perik, Syracuse University
Second Place - Nicole Aponte, Syracuse University
Third Place - Nicole Aponte, Syracuse University
Honorable Mention - Sydney Nauman, University of Maryland
General News or Feature: Natural Sound
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First Place - Calli Westra, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Second Place - Sydney Nauman, University of Maryland
Long Form Feature
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First Place - Isaiah Lamar Dickerson, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Second Place - Collin Bell, Syracuse University
Third Place - Murphy McFarlane, Syracuse University
Honorable Mention - Brett Eugene Phelps, Western Kentucky University
Vertical Social Video, Single
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First Place - James D Schaap, George Washington University
Second Place - Brett Eugene Phelps, Western Kentucky University
Vertical Social Video, Portfolio
There were no awards given in this category in 2024.
2024 Student Still Photography Judges
Nathan Howard is a freelance photojournalist based in Washington, D.C. frequently working for Getty Images, The Associated Press, Reuters and Bloomberg. He was previously a staff photographer at The Columbian in Southwest Washington, The Newport News-Times and The Moscow-Pullman Daily News.
His work is often focused on U.S. politics, the destructive impacts of climate change, and extremism in the American West.
Julia Nikhinson is a freelance photojournalist based in Washington, D.C. Growing up in Maryland, Julia studied government and politics at the University of Maryland, interning at The Hill in 2021 and at The Associated Press, based in New York, in 2022. After returning to Washington in 2023, Julia’s work mostly centers on politics, sports and local news.
Kent Nishimura is a photographer based in Washington, DC. Nishimura was born in Taiwan, immigrated to the United States, grew up in Hawaii. A graduate of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Nishimura was most recently a staff photographer with the Los Angeles Times, covering Washington, and much of the Eastern Seaboard.
His work has been recognized by Pictures of the Year International, the National Headliner Awards, the White House News Photographers Assn. and the National Press Photographers Association among others.
2024 Student Video Photography Judges
Brian Hopkins began his television career in 1983, volunteering while in high school, with FCAC Ch. 10 in Northern Virginia and WNVC/WNVT Public Tv. Over several years, he completely immersed himself in public access television, including producing and production work. One show he produced, lasted for 30 years. Soon, he began interning with Media General Cable Ch. 8, in Fairfax, Va., quickly learning his way around a real (non-public access ) television studio. In 1987, WNVC/WNVT became Brian’s first full time television home, shooting news on Capitol Hill, as well as doing studio production work. From 1989-1991, Media General Cable Ch. 8, in Fairfax, Va., took Brian in fulltime, where he thrived doing studio production, while spending periodic weekends shooting local spot news. This is where he first was bitten by the spot news bug. In 1991, Newchannel 8, which took over the Ch. 8 frequency, hired Brian as a production assistant. There he slowly made the transition to electronic news gathering and, by the time he left in 1996, was a full time photojournalist. CONUS Communications hired Brian to shoot news, covering Congress from 1996-1998. And finally, in December of 1998, starting as a freelance videographer, Brian was hired as a fulltime shooter/editor, just 5 months later, for WJLA-ABC 7, where he has been, ever since. Brian has won 5 local Emmys, plus received a number of additional nominations. With his reporter, he has won a Murrow award, an AP award, and has secured numerous first, second, third and honorable mention awards with the White House News Photographer Association. First place winnings earned Brian 5 trips to the Oval Office. When he gets the chance, Brian enjoys teaching and answering questions from youth who are interested in a career in television. Several times he’s volunteered for a program called, ”Facetime with the Pros”, a day for interested youth to attend lectures, get hands-on experiences with real broadcast equipment, and have face-to-face time with broadcast professionals, such as he, from around the DC area. Brian has also received numerous thank you cards from WJLA interns, whom he had taken under his wing, during their stay. Brian says he has the “very best career”. Even when off the clock, he “sees life thru a camera lens”. Always picturing the best camera angle, where ever he goes. Even when Brian’s traveling on vacation, or as he begins the weekend, he looks forward to what the next work day will bring and to what adventures he will find.
Lance Ing is an award-winning Photojournalist/Editor/Producer at WRC NBC 4 DC with more than 25 years of experience working General news, Special Projects and Investigative news and both Winter/Summer Olympics. He’s worked from coast to coast covering stories with the goal of making them both memorable and unique. “I’m committed to telling compelling stories which have an impact and can make a difference in someone’s life. I believe quality photojournalism, teamwork and good storytelling are crucial to establishing a connection with viewers.”
Lance is the Consumer/I-Team Photojournalist at WRC NBC 4 DC. He helped launched Sinclair Broadcasting’s Full Measure with Sharyl Attkisson, prior to that, he worked for WTTG, USA TODAY LIVE, KATU, WZZM and KTVN. During his career he’s been fortunate to be honored with many local, regional, and national awards, including EMMYs, Murrow’s, AP Awards, NPPA Region 4 Photographer of the Year, WHNPA Photographer and Editor of the Year, and Michigan Photographer of the Year. “It’s an honor to be able to tell the kind of stories that can empower and touch the heart. I’m committed to telling compelling stories which have an impact and can make a difference in someone’s life.”
Joann Sierra
