(WASHINGTON, D.C. – Feb. 28, 2021) – The White House News Photographers Association® announced that Ben Martin of ITN Channel 4 News has been awarded the 2021 WHNPA Video Photographer of the Year in the annual ‘Eyes of History®’ video contest. McKenna Ewen of CNN has been named Video Editor of the Year for the second consecutive year.
This is the fourth consecutive top win for Martin and his sixth overall. “I’m over-the-moon and honored to be receiving this award – especially in such a special year for the WHNPA. COVID-19 has brought unprecedented challenges and none of this could have been achieved without the support of the whole Channel 4 team. Thank you to them and the WHNPA for this incredible privilege.”
Upon learning of his win, Ewen said: “This is a tremendous honor. I am fortunate to work with a dedicated group of journalists who make me better each and every day. 2020 was a wild year in the nation’s capitol and I feel fortunate to have played a small part in helping tell these stories.”
WHNPA President Whitney Shefte said, “Ben Martin and McKenna Ewen never cease to amaze us with their unmatched work. We are so proud to name them both our top Video winners again, and to count them both among our ranks!” The judges for the video photography contest were: Spencer Chumbley, independent; Jerry Riciotti, independent; and Tawanda Scott Sambou of CNN Digital. The video editing judges were: Anne Checler, independent; Geoff O’Brien, independent; and Tim McLaughlin, independent.
“Judging the editing contest this year has been challenging and invigorating as we navigate the new zoom world. The judges were able to watch the entries in the quarantine safety and comfort of their homes’, said the video editing committee. Editing judge Geoff O’Brien appreciated the scope and diversity especially from Ewen. Checler commented, “as editors we are always in the background, it’s nice to be able to see our work validated.” The judges were united in their congratulations to all the winners and to everyone who submitted their work during the trying times of the pandemic.
Scott Sambou added, “We saw superb work by many talented photojournalists. From COVID, to protests to the insurrection at the capitol, the news cycle was nonstop. Many photojournalists had to work in really tough conditions but through it all they upheld their quality of work and their passion to tell these stories could not be overlooked. She concluded in talking about Martin’s win, “The photography in Ben’s work was consistent, intentional and engaging. With various perspectives and shot variety, he’s able to really draw the audience into the story as if you’re actually there.”
Judging for the still, digital storytelling and student contests were also held virtually over the weekend due to the ongoing pandemic.
The top winners of the still, video, digital and student contests will be honored at the annual ‘Eyes of History®’ gala later this year in Washington. The black-tie event celebrates all the winning visual journalists. The WHNPA is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2021.
The White House News Photographers Association is a 100-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.
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.
