Nominate an award candidate.
For more information on the awards, or to see a list of prior recipients, simply click the name of the award below.
Every year, the National Press Photographers Association honors those who have supported the organization, assisted photojournalism and photojournalists, or have contributed to our profession.
The winners are selected from people nominated by the membership of the organization. Once again, we are utilizing the power of the Internet to solicit these nominees. To nominate a candidate, please visit the Nomination Form, select an award, and provide the name, email address and phone number of the person nominated, as well as a brief description of why that person should be considered.
Please direct any questions or comments to the NPPA Immediate Past President via email at pastpresident@nppa.org.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Established in 1949, this is the highest honor in the field of photojournalism. To a working photojournalist, a plaque and ring to an individual who advances, elevates, or attains unusual recognition for the profession of photojournalism by conduct, initiative, leadership, skill, and devotion to duty.
To an individual, not a working photojournalist, a plaque for unusual service or achievement beneficial to photojournalism, or for an outstanding technological advance in equipment or process of photojournalism.
This award recognizes an individual in the tradition of Cliff Edom to inspire and motivate members of the photojournalism community to reach new heights. Edom taught at the University of Missouri for 29 years and is credited with coining the word "photojournalism."
Awarded to those rendering continuing outstanding service in the interest of press photography and for outstanding technical achievement in photography. J. Winton Lemen was a charter member of the NPPA. After a distinguished photographic career, he established the photo press markets division of the Eastman Kodak company.
These special citations are awarded to individuals for making significant contributions that advance the interests of photojournalism.
Morris Berman was a past president of the NPPA. Prior to his death in 2002, he attended every one of our conventions. This citation is given to an individual for special contributions advancing the interests of photojournalism.
This award is given to those rendering continuing outstanding service in the interest of news photography, whether or not they are members of the profession. Kenneth McLaughlin was the third president of NPPA and a photographer for the San Francisco Chronicle until his death in 1952.
Awarded to an individual for most outstanding initiative, leadership and service in advancing the goals of NPPA in the traditon of Joseph Costa, a founder of NPPA, its first President and Chairman of the Board. (One award each year, established 1954). Joseph Costa also edited the official NPPA magazine, then called the National Press Photographer, from 1946 to 1966. For nearly 44 years he was a photographer, Chief Photographer or Photo Supervisor for the New York Morning World, New York Daily News, and New York Mirror (and King Features Syndicate after the Mirror folded). Until 1985 he taught photojournalism at Ball State University, in Muncie, IN, where he was awarded an honorary degree upon retirement. Costa died in 1988.
The award is given for outstanding service as a photojournalism educator. Garland was a picture editor and war correspondent for the Saturday Evening Post until he joined Graflex Inc. as press technical representative after World War II. Later he became a press photography products specialist.
The citation honors the memory of NPPA's second national treasurer (1948-1950), who set an example of devotion to NPPA ideals. The award is given to the regional associate director (formerly regional secretary-treasurer) judged most outstanding in the performance of his or her duties. Presentation of the award was resumed in 1983 after a seven-year hiatus. Mellor was a photographer for the New York Post until his death in 1954.
The Humanitarian Award is presented to an individual for playing a key role in the saving of lives or in rescue situations.
The award recognizes the production of the most outstanding regional or chapter publication, in print or online.
Given to the editor(s) of an outstanding newspaper, magazine, video, movie, Web site, book, or other publication or broadcast that supports and promotes strong photojournalism, and best use of photography, and whose individual dedication and efforts have moved photojournalism's standards forward while also advancing the best interests of all photographers.
Awarded to an individual who has served as an outstanding mentor, either to a specific individual or to photojournalism in general. Nominations for this award are to come from working photojournalists. The recipient of the award may have, but not need not have, any formal connection to photojournalism. Over the years, Durniak was executive editor of Popular Photography magazine, picture editor at Time magazine and The New York Times, and managing editor of Look, himself an enthusiastic mentor who nurtured some of the most prominent photojournalists of the 20th century. Durniak died in November 1997.
The President's Award is awarded at the discretion of the president for special services to NPPA.
The award, in memory of a founder and first national secretary, is given to news photographers who have completed 40 years of service, whether or not they are members of NPPA.
(Reprinted from the 2002 NPPA Directory)
(Through 2002) Winners of the NPPA and Univ. of Missouri Pictures of the Year Competition. Includes Univ. of Missouri 50-Print Exhibition, Univ. of Missouri News Pictures of the Year, National Press Photographers Association Competitions, and the NPPA/Missouri Pictures of the Year Competition Results.
(Through 2002) Winners of the Newspaper Photographer of the Year award.
(Through 2002) Winners of the Television News Photographer of the Year award.
The recipients of the highest honor in television news photography were called the Newsfilm Cameramen of the Year when the awards program was first established in conjunction with the Pictures of the Year.
Established in 1958 as part of the annual News Pictures of the Year competition, the TV competition is now separate.
This award was first presented in 1994.
Winners of the Military Photographer of the Year award.
