(WASHINGTON, D.C. – Feb. 18, 2023) – The White House News Photographers Association® announced that Vincent Alban from Rochester Institute of Technology has been named the WHNPA Student Still Photographer of the Year, and in the eighth year of the student video division, Isabella Martin of Michigan State University has been named the WHNPA Student Video Photographer of the Year in the 2023 WHNPA ‘Eyes of History®’ student contest judging on Feb., 18, 2023. Additionally, Ethan Swope from Santa Monica College was awarded an Award of Excellence in the student still division.
The judges for the WHNPA 2023 ‘Eyes of History®’ Student still photography competition were: Bonnie Cash, freelance, Anna Moneymaker of Getty Images, and Jabin Botsford of The Washington Post. The photographers judging for video were Beth Brown of WRC-TV, Brian Hopkins of WJLA-TV, Lance Ing of WRC-TV and Nate Luna of ABC News.
When told about his win by Student Still Chair Al Drago, Alban said “I remember watching the judging for last year’s contest and seeing my portfolio getting knocked out in the final round. I continued working on those same stories and took in what the judges had to say. To win this year is an extraordinary honor and it feels great to see improvement in my work. I am extremely grateful for all the people in Rochester who have let me be a part of their lives because I wouldn’t be here without them.”
“I’ve always been told if you can’t think of a story, look to your backyard. I believe our winner embodied that,” said Anna Moneymaker. Fellow judge Bonnie Cash added that “their commitment to the community and dedication to tell a local story prevailed.”
Michigan State University’s Isabella Martin was honored for her exemplary work in the field of video photography. “I knew that I wanted a career in journalism to tell unheard stories, and to give others a voice,” Martin said.
“Journalism is the perfect avenue to do that for me. As a reporter, I seek to evoke change and bring attention to important community news wherever I go.
“Receiving this award during this time of sorrow at Michigan State University after the recent events brings a positive light to the school that I am so proud to call home and attend. I am incredible and so grateful to WHNPA,” said Martin.
“Isabella is an outstanding photojournalist who has demonstrated excellence in the craft of video photography. She has consistently produced high-quality video projects that showcase the best of the medium. Her skills and vision as a multimedia journalist (MMJ) captured the judges’ attention. “We were impressed by her ability to produce such a creative story right from the first shot, they said.
“As always, we are so pleased with the caliber of work coming from our student winners. The association is thrilled to honor Vincent and Isabella with these top honors.” said WHNPA President Whitney Shefte.
Vincent and Isabella will be honored at the ‘Eyes of History®’ gala. Other winners in the student video contest included Valeria Gonzalez of the University of Maryland, Calli Westra of The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Manuel Serrano of Syracuse University.
The top winners of the still, broadcast, 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 102nd anniversary in 2023.
The White House News Photographers Association is a 102-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@whnpa.org or executive director Heidi Elswick at heidi@whnpa.org (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.
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