Special Citation

I'm going to start by saying that I never do this. I never take the time to pat myself on the back, and rarely ask others to do it. If you don't believe me, ask my photo editors or DOP. I am, perhaps, a little too self-depricating at times, but it comes with my personality. I also like to undersell my pictures, so as not to attain a certain hype I can't live up to. I truly believe that humility is an honorable quality in a human being -- and it's one I strive toward.

Awards are funny things. I've said how I feel about them before on here. And while it's always cool to be recognized for things, having been on both sides of the coin, both as a contest judges and a receiver of past recognition... I know just how subjective a win can be. I've seen good photos lose because judges are tired, or tired of seeing a similar theme. I've seen bad photos win because they've skirted through on mediocrity, and judges say "eh" it's OK... and so it became a part of the last group standing. Awards, if nothing else are good for your resume. It's the best way I know how to get ahead... to get a better job... to get more money... to get more responsibility. They are not, however, a measure of your worth as a photojournalist... at least not for me. If anything, judge how good you are by the amount of change you bring. There's the adage that if you've affected one heart or mind, you've done your job. And it's true. Cover your community, your hot button issues, and your ideas well... shoot pictures that matter... tell stories that count... be a valuable member of society... try to affect change for the better.

Few are given a voice as loud as that of a photojournalist. Don't be afraid to use yours.

With all that said, while this, too, is subjective.. it is still one of the biggest compliments I've ever received. I appreciate the knowledge that this came about from a single nomination and a jury of my peers. I thank them for that. And more importantly, I thank them for recognizing a community that is far bigger than one. This award shouldn't have my name on it... instead it should really go to APhotoAday. Like one line below says, an organization is only as good as its volunteers. APAD is what it is because of its members. Constantly growing, changing, ebbing, flowing and never ceasing to amaze me with the quality of work and the level of discussion. For me, and hopefully a few others, it has become an invaluable resource. If I had to sum up APAD in one word, it'd be: family.

Below are some of the emails I received from the NPPA. Where it says "you," please replace it with APAD... the name of the community that made it all possible. The official line:

Congratulations, the National Press Photographers Association has awarded you its Special Citation, for making significant contributions that advance the interests of photojournalism.

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A follow up:

Congratulations! The bottom line is that you received the award because you deserved it. APAD has benefited and encouraged many photographers and you are a great example of what can be done with initiative and effort. I am so glad that we were able to recognize you for it.

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And one of the greatest compliments I think I've ever gotten:

...the photo-j world is a changin' and it seems to be full of old white males (which I'm quickly becoming) with little to no new ideas.

APAD is a great tool to inspire young photojournalists and, to me, that's the type of thing we should be doing in NPPA nowadays. NPPA does a lot of things with its advocacy, contests, networking, etc., but I'm not sure it is quite at the point it could and should be when it comes to inspiring.

What you did with APAD is a great model for others to follow. I'm always saying this organization is only as good as its volunteers and your one-person operation proves it. You had a vision and shared it with us. Not only that, but you followed through. That's the big thing. Following through. Many of us come up with great plans, but the follow through is the problem. That's inspiring and, in my mind, worthy of being noticed. Congrats...

I am honored. And grateful.