(WASHINGTON, D.C. – Feb. 23, 2020) – The White House News Photographers Association® announced that Ben Martin of ITN Channel 4 has been awarded the 2020 WHNPA Video Photographer of the Year in the annual ‘Eyes of History®’ video contest. McKenna Ewen has been named Video Editor of the Year.
The top award for Martin, which he has won three times before, came after first place wins in Spot News, General News, Day Feature, Audio and Conflict/Disaster categories. When told of his win, Martin said, “This is so unbelievable and unexpected! I’m so lucky to have a job that lets me see the world and tell stories through my lens. It wouldn’t of been possible without the support of my amazing Channel 4 team and family. I’m incredibly humbled to be recognized by the WHNPA.”
McKenna Ewen, who was WHNPA’s Multimedia Journalist of the Year in 2017, won the award as 2020 WHNPA Video Editor of the Year for his first-place finishes in categories that included General News, Short Form Editing and Audio said, “This is a reflection of the great team that I work with. It wouldn’t be possible without the support of everyone who helped make these stories happen. It’s truly an honor and privilege to do this work. WHNPA’s commitment to protecting and defending the First Amendment makes it possible for us to tell these stories. And for that, I am extremely grateful.”
WHNPA President Whitney Shefte said, “Huge congratulations to Ben and McKenna for winning top honors again. Their incredible work continues to stand out and raise our profession to the highest caliber.”
The judges for the video photography contest were: Nyier Abdou, Roberto Daza and Maura Murphy. The video editing judges were: Eric Maierson, Angel Canslesa and Channon Hodge.
“I was floored watching Ben’s work. His thoughtful choices and keen eye made for some of the most powerful journalism I’ve ever seen,” said Murphy. Maierson described Ewen’s work as “the most elegant, sophisticated and diverse work we watched.”
Judging for the still, digital storytelling and student contests were also held at National Geographic over the weekend.
The top winners of the still, video, digital and student contests will be honored at the annual ‘Eyes of History®’ gala on June 13, 2020, at the Ritz-Carlton in Washington. The black-tie event celebrates all the winning visual journalists.
The White House News Photographers Association is a 99-year-old non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the efforts of Washington’s professional photojournalists. 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.
For more information, please contact Whitney Shefte at president@54.85.141.172 or executive director Heidi Elswick at heidi@54.85.141.172. For further information about ‘The Eyes of History®’ and to view the winning images and videos, visit the WHNPA website at www.whnpa.org.
