(WASHINGTON, D.C. – Feb. 10, 2019) – The White House News Photographers Association® announced the winners of the Multimedia categories in the annual ‘Eyes of History®’ competition. Whitney Shefte of The Washington Post won Multimedia Journalist of the Year.
NPR and The Washington Post both won three first place awards. NPR’s Skunk Bear team won the animation, explainer and one-off categories with their team, which include Adam Cole, Ryan Kellman, Murry Gans, Josh Rogosin, Alison Richards, Nicole Werbeck, Andrea Kissack, Keith Jenkins. The Washington Post won for issue reporting, news story and multimedia package. A team from McClatchy won first place for feature and The New York Times won in the documentary category.
The judges for the Multimedia competition were Elaine McMillion Sheldon, Duy Linh Tu, and Ben Werschkul.
“Whitney produced compelling stories about wide-ranging issues taking place throughout America – from hurricanes in the South to opioid addiction in the nation’s capital. Her work demonstrated a thoughtful and compassionate look at those affected by the most important issues of 2018,’ said Tu.
“The quality of storytelling submitted in this year’s contest served as a reminder of importance of journalism in a free society, ” said Jessica Koscielniak, WHNPA Secretary and Multimedia Contest Chair, “Congratulations to Whitney Shefte – the Multimedia Journalist of the Year, who’s extraordinary work set has set the bar for next year’s contest.”
In reaction to being awarded Multimedia Journalist of the Year, Shefte said, “I’m stunned and honored to win this award. To take a top prize in this competition, in an organization so close to my heart, is extremely special to me. My peers created such stunning, important work, and I feel so lucky to be among them.”
The still, video and student competitions were also held 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 96-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 (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.
