Judges for Still Division II announced the awards remotely, top row from left, Jen Tse, Jackie Bell, CPOY director, and Jahi Chikwendiu. Second row from left, Janet Jarman, Yehyun Kim, 75th College Photographer of the Year and Michael Blackshire, CPOY Runner-up.

Updated Nov. 2, 2020

Congrats to the top winners in 75th College Photographer of the Year contest

By Jackie Bell
Director, College Photographer of the Year

Columbia, Missouri - Still Division winners were announced on Thurs., Oct. 29, 2020, at the conclusion of judging of Still Divisions I and II in the 75th College Photographer of the Year competition on the campus of the University of Missouri in Columbia. Judges viewed nearly 10,000 images and multimedia projects submitted by over 550 students in 29 countries.

The 75th College Photographer of the Year is Yehyun Kim, of the University of Missouri in Columbia. Kim’s work was also awarded an Award of Excellence in the Domestic Picture Story category.

Michael Blackshire, of Ohio University, was named the Runner-up College Photographer of the Year with a Silver award in the Portfolio category. Blackshire’s work was also honored with a Silver in General News and a Bronze in Domestic Picture Story.

Jesper Houborg, of the Danish School of Media and Journalism in Aarhus, Denmark, won an Award of Excellence in the Portfolio category as well as a Silver in International Picture Story.

CPOY judging concluded on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, with the judging of the final Multimedia Division category:

Multimedia: Documentary Short
Gold: Tobias Stidsen and Andreas Beukel Vinther, Danish School of Media and Journalism, “Before I Disappear”

Multimedia: Individual Story or Essay – Standalone
Gold: Michelle Hanks, Western Kentucky University, “Timeless Travel”

Multimedia: Group Story or Essay – Standalone
Gold: Marius Renner and Emilie Laerke Henriksen, Danish School of Media and Journalism, “I Am Afraid of Dying”

Multimedia: Online Storytelling
Gold: Western Kentucky Photojournalism, Western Kentucky University, “These Days”

Judges for Still Division I:
Lisa Krantz, staff photographer at the San Antonio Express-News, Pulitzer Prize finalist; Mallory Benedict, photo editor on the history and culture desk for National Geographic Magazine; Denny Simmons, visuals coach and photographer at the Evansville Courier & Press and 48th College Photographer of the Year.

Judges for Still Division II:
Jahi Chikwendiu, staff photographer, The Washington Post; Janet Jarman, photographer and documentary filmmaker based in Mexico City, MacArthur Foundation grant winner; Jen Tse, senior photo editor at National Geographic Magazine, formerly of Newsweek, TIME Magazine and NOOR Images.

Judges for the multimedia division:
Tim Matsui, visual journalist, independent filmmaker; Eric Seals, Detroit Free Press photo and video journalist, Edward R. Murrow national recipient; Kat Duncan, interim Director of Innovation at Reynolds Journalism Institute, formerly of the San Francisco Chronicle; Jarrad Henderson, moderator, Emmy-winning video producer with USA Today.

The complete results will be posted at the conclusion of the judging.

From left, Willishia Rudd, Jessica Kolle and her daughter, Kynlee, 6, help Shayla, 16, try on a dress for the Night to Shine prom event. Jessica took care of Shayla for six years since when she was six years old when she couldn't talk or eat without a feeding tube. Their families have stayed close ever since. "We are like some of their family here," Jessica said. Photo by Yehyun Kim, 75th CPOY, University of Missouri.

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Congrats to the top winners in 75th College Photographer of the Year contest