(WASHINGTON, D.C. – Feb. 10, 2019) – The White House News Photographers Association® announced that photographer Jabin Botsford of The Washington Post has been named “Photographer of the Year” and Tom Williams of CQ/Roll Call has been awarded “Political Photo of the Year” in the 2019 ‘Eyes of History®’ contest judging, held at the National Geographic Society in Washington, DC.
Botsford is a photographer for the Washington Post. won first prize in the Pictorial, Domestic News, Insiders Washington, and Portfolio categories. “Our jobs chronicling the history unfolding in Washington are more important now than ever. I want to thank every WHNPA member for their dedication to that cause. Capturing our piece of history takes all of us,” Botsford said. “I’m so grateful for the incredible team of people beside me including Washington Post Director of Photography MaryAnne Golon and all the photographers and photo editors I work with at The Washington Post.”
Tom Williams’ image of Vice President Mike Pence in the Senate reception room was selected as Political Photo of the Year. “Normally the Vice President’s movements in the Capitol are accompanied by higher security, meaning press and staffers have to stop moving and let him pass through the halls,” Williams said. “I was talking to his photographer so I think his detail kind of let me go about my business and I felt as though I was in some kind of secure bubble. Thanks to my fellow photographers, judges and the WHNPA for this high honor.”
In commenting on the WHNPA ‘Eyes of History®’ contest winners, President Whitney Shefte said, “Our winning photographers proved yet again that bearing witness to some of the most crucial moments of our time is essential work. Jabin, Tom and all of our winners have carried out this mission with incredible skill and professionalism.”
The judges for the 2019 ‘Eyes of History®’ stills competition were: Jay L. Clendenin, Robin Daughtridge and Lauren Steel. “Bravo to all the entrants. In the final portfolio category, all three were super consistent and very solid,” said the judges. For the Political Photo of the Year, “We knew this as soon as we saw it. The photographer caught an incredible face. No one is paying attention to the Vice President and it makes such a powerful photo.”
Still photography contest chair Andrew Harnik said “This year’s imagery was incredibly strong and all our winners should take pride in their work. Their images make our contest one the premier photo competitions in the country. On behalf of the contest committee, I want to thank our three judges who flew in from across the country to volunteer their time and expertise to make the tough decisions to bring the best work to the top. Finally, we have a dedicated group of volunteers who spend countless hours each year away from their family and friends (and their actual paying jobs!) to make this contest happen and I am incredibly grateful for their work.”
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 15, 2019, 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 98-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®”
For more information, please contact Whitney Shefte at president@54.85.141.172 or executive director Heidi Elswick at heidi@54.85.141.172 (301-606-8251). For further information about ‘The Eyes of History®’ and to view the winning images and videos, visit the WHNPA website at www.whnpa.org.
