Stephen M. Katz of The Virginian-Pilot was named the newspaper photographer of the year Friday night, taking the top honor in the 65th Annual Pictures of the Year International Competition.
"We're extremely proud of the collection of images that Stephen put together," said Randall Greenwell, director of photography for The Pilot, which is published by Landmark Communications Inc. "We knew that he had an excellent year and this honor certainly confirms it."
A four-judge panel selected Katz's work over all other submissions. The award was announced in Washington.
“His pictures had diversity,” one of the judges, Jeanie Adams-Smith, an associate professor of photojournalism at Western Kentucky University, told The Columbia Missourian. “He could look at a big place at a microcosmic level.”
Two photographers from the Chicago Tribune, Scott Strazzante and Kuni Takahashi, won second- and third-place honors respectively.
"The winner was well rounded," another judge, Brad Mangin, a freelance photographer from San Francisco, told The Missourian of Katz. "He could shoot everything all over the world, including a local football game.”
Katz’s winning portfolio included a wide range of images, from the Virginia Tech shooting to photos from a high school prom as well as pictures of soldiers in Iraq.
His submission also included images he made in Africa while working with Physicians for Peace, a group he is presently traveling with in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. He could not be reached for comment Saturday.
Another Pilot photographer, Rich-Joseph Facun, won first place in the general news reporting portion of the competition.
His image captured 5-year-old Evan Burgoon watching for his father, Lt. Cmdr. Ian Burgoon, to land at the Oceana Naval Air Station in Virginia Beach last year after a six-month deployment aboard the carrier Enterprise, supporting troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Pictures of the Year International is a program of the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute at the Missouri School of Journalism.
Rich-Joseph Facun won first place in general news reporting for this image of 5-year-old Evan Burgoon watching for his father at Oceana Naval Air Station.
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Re: Katz may be soon out of job in Va Beach
Laughable. We will be lucky if he isn't scooped up by some other larger paper like the New York Times or the San Diego Tribune. Anyway, congratulations to R-J Facun for his first place win as well! "A picture is worth a thousand words" author unclear
The Pilot has not been sold
Just to clarify the record, given one of the comments below: The Virginian-Pilot may one day be sold but that has not yet happened. It is still owned by Norfolk-based Landmark Communications Inc., as it has been for decades.
Congratulations!
to the both of you. I really enjoyed Andy Katz & the videographer's report from Iraq. Excellent, truly excellent, both winners.
Photographers' winning award
Comments by roseannc purely display an apparent ignorance on her knowledge about business. Not to subscribe to daily newspaper will only add to the fact of the adage--little knowledge is a dangerous thing. However, that is her prerogative not to subscribe.
photog of year
to bad, but you can be out of a job in Virginia Beach soon.
Since the paper was bought out it has gone down hill.
The new owners say they are not making money. Phooey!!
The Pilot has more full page ads than any paper I have seen.Someone is paying big bucks for them.
Saving money is not the question. They only want to make more, and the heck about subscribers. I for one am quiting daily paper.
Congratz To Katz
Yes your pictures are awesome. You are very talented, Way to go!!!!
Congratulations!
Congratulations Mr. Katz!!!
Awesome work and a great reward! Keep it up!!!
Congratulations!
That's quite an honor to be voted first in your entire profession across the country. Keep up the good work.