2024 Q1 Photo Essay

June 15, 2024Khai Le

Jennifer Heffner, q1 judge

First Place :Ahhhhh yes. Here it is, I knew I would see it in another category. I love this narrative. Nicely done and for sure a first place winner. Love the choice of Black and White.
Second Place: This second-place winner had some really strong single images but as a whole it was a bit disjointed. Maybe a tighter edit. But all in all great coverage.
Third Place: Nicely done daily newspaper photo story.

First Place: cristina klenz, freelance

PHOTOESSAY_5622080498_Long Beach From My Car_01.jpg

Photo Essay_Long Beach From My Car_ Long Beach From My Car is a photo essay of images I take during my travels driving through both Long Beach and Signal Hill California. All the images are taken from within my vehicle and depict the current plights of Long Beach residents especially the unhoused. The essay also documents unusual or interesting scenes that provoke emotion in the viewer. According to the City of Long Beach website; the homeless count in Long Beach was at 3; 447; which is an increase from 3,296 in 2022 . The website reports that the main causes of first-time homelessness include domestic violence (especially for women), financial problems, mental illness and substance abuse. It is not uncommon to see unhoused individuals sleeping on the sidewalks in Long Beach. With his possessions nearby, this man sleeps out in the open on Atlantic Avenue just north of Long Beach Polytechnic High School while students and others walk past him.

PHOTOESSAY_5622080498_Long Beach From My Car_02.jpg

Photo Essay_Long Beach From My Car_ Long Beach From My Car is a photo essay of images I take during my travels driving through both Long Beach and Signal Hill California. All the images are taken from within my vehicle and depict the current plights of Long Beach residents especially the unhoused. The essay also documents unusual or interesting scenes that provoke emotion in the viewer. According to the City of Long Beach website; the homeless count in Long Beach was at 3; 447; which is an increase from 3,296 in 2022 . The website reports that the main causes of first-time homelessness include domestic violence (especially for women), financial problems, mental illness and substance abuse. It is not uncommon to see unhoused individuals sleeping on the sidewalks in Long Beach. This man and dog shiver together infront of an office building not far from Long Beach Memorial Medical Center on Atlantic Avenue.

PHOTOESSAY_5622080498_Long Beach From My Car_03.jpg

Photo Essay_Long Beach From My Car_ Long Beach From My Car is a photo essay of images I take during my travels driving through both Long Beach and Signal Hill California. All the images are taken from within my vehicle and depict the current plights of Long Beach residents especially the unhoused. The essay also documents unusual or interesting scenes that provoke emotion in the viewer. According to the City of Long Beach website; the homeless count in Long Beach was at 3; 447; which is an increase from 3,296 in 2022 . The website reports that the main causes of first-time homelessness include domestic violence (especially for women), financial problems, mental illness and substance abuse. It is not uncommon to see unhoused individuals sleeping on the sidewalks in Long Beach. In the middle of the afternoon, a man sleeps next to his wheelchair on Pacific Coast Highway in Long Beach just outside a liquor store.

PHOTOESSAY_5622080498_Long Beach From My Car_04.jpg

Photo Essay_Long Beach From My Car_ Long Beach From My Car is a photo essay of images I take during my travels driving through both Long Beach and Signal Hill California. All the images are taken from within my vehicle and depict the current plights of Long Beach residents especially the unhoused. The essay also documents unusual or interesting scenes that provoke emotion in the viewer. According to the City of Long Beach website; the homeless count in Long Beach was at 3; 447; which is an increase from 3,296 in 2022 . The website reports that the main causes of first-time homelessness include domestic violence (especially for women), financial problems, mental illness and substance abuse. It is not uncommon to see unhoused individuals sleeping on the sidewalks in Long Beach. This man sleeps on the sidewalk on Long Beach Boulevard in an area of the city that is both commercial and residential.

PHOTOESSAY_5622080498_Long Beach From My Car_05.jpg

PHOTOESSAY_5622080498_Long Beach From My Car_06.jpg

PHOTOESSAY_5622080498_Long Beach From My Car_07.jpg

PHOTOESSAY_5622080498_Long Beach From My Car_08.jpg

PHOTOESSAY_5622080498_Long Beach From My Car_09.jpg

Photo Essay_Long Beach From My Car_ Long Beach From My Car is a photo essay of images I take during my travels driving through both Long Beach and Signal Hill California. All the images are taken from within my vehicle and depict the current plights of Long Beach residents especially the unhoused. The essay also documents police and emergency personnel and unusual or interesting scenes that provoke emotion in the viewer. Celia Cruz begins her work early in the morning as a tailor in Signal Hill, California. She began sewing at the age of 15 and has been a tailor for 50 years. She has been in business at the current location, Celia Cruz Alterations for seven years.

PHOTOESSAY_5622080498_Long Beach From My Car_10.jpg

Photo Essay_Long Beach From My Car_ Long Beach From My Car is a photo essay of images I take during my travels driving through both Long Beach and Signal Hill California. All the images are taken from within my vehicle and depict the current plights of Long Beach residents especially the unhoused. The essay also documents unusual or interesting scenes that provoke emotion in the viewer. According to the City of Long Beach website; the homeless count in Long Beach was at 3; 447; which is an increase from 3,296 in 2022 . The website reports that the main causes of first-time homelessness include domestic violence (especially for women), financial problems, mental illness and substance abuse. It is not uncommon to see unhoused individuals sleeping on the sidewalks in Long Beach. This couple has been living on the streets for four years. The man is lying on the ground because he is feeling ill.

PHOTOESSAY_5622080498_Long Beach From My Car_11.jpg

PHOTOESSAY_5622080498_Long Beach From My Car_12.jpg

PHOTOESSAY_5622080498_Long Beach From My Car_13.jpg

PHOTOESSAY_5622080498_Long Beach From My Car_14.jpg

PHOTOESSAY_5622080498_Long Beach From My Car_15.jpg

PHOTOESSAY_5622080498_Long Beach From My Car_16.jpg

PHOTOESSAY_5622080498_Long Beach From My Car_17.jpg

Second Place: KAREN QUINCY LOBERG, FREELANCE

Photo Essay_8059075308_Take Our Border Back Convoy_01.jpg

Lori Garrett waves a flag from the back seat of a car with the Take Our Border Back Convoy in San Ysidro, CA on February 3, 2024.

Photo Essay_8059075308_Take Our Border Back Convoy_02.jpg

A man wraps up his flag display outside the Take Our Border Back Convoy rally point in Yuma, AZ after talking in detail to a passerby about conspiracy theories on February 3, 2024. The trek organized by Scotty Saks, projected participation of 700k trucks nationwide to convoy to destinations in Yuma, AZ and Eagle Pass, TX culminating on February 3, 2024. Saks labeled the influx of immigrants as “a national security crisis”. Of the roughly 250 San Ysidro protestors, a few dozen drove through to Yuma joining drivers from other western states where attendance was equivalent much earlier in the day.

Photo Essay_8059075308_Take Our Border Back Convoy_03.jpg

A man who wishes to remain anonymous holds his son on his shoulders at the Take Our Border Back Convoy rally in San Ysidro, Ca on February 3, 2024.

Photo Essay_8059075308_Take Our Border Back Convoy_04.jpg

Kim Yeater, an organizer for the Take Our Border Back Convoy, addresses attendees at the pre-convoy rally in San Ysidro, CA on February 3, 2024. Roughly 250 people were in attendance in San Ysidro with a few dozen vehicles traveling on to Yuma, AZ.

Photo Essay_8059075308_Take Our Border Back Convoy_05.jpg

The crowd takes a knee in prayer during the Take Our Border Back movement calling for tighter border restrictions in San Ysidro, CA, February 3, 2024.

Photo Essay_8059075308_Take Our Border Back Convoy_06.jpg

Jake Reid (left) and Karylee Stone meet at the Take Our Border Back movement calling for tighter border restrictions in San Ysidro, CA, February 3, 2024.

Photo Essay_8059075308_Take Our Border Back Convoy_08.jpg

Self-avowed conspiracy theorist Steve Hensley (right) talks with Mike (last name withheld) after traveling from Idaho with his dog to participate in the Take Our Border Back Convoy in San Ysidro, CA on February 3, 2024.

Photo Essay_8059075308_Take Our Border Back Convoy_09.jpg

Jesse Suave of Orange County records speakers riling up the crowd at the Take Our Border Back Convoy rally in San Ysidro, CA on February 3, 2024. Blame for issues ranging from fake news, abortion, fentanyl, a stolen election and human traffickers infiltrating the border with Mexico was put squarely on President Biden.

Photo Essay_8059075308_Take Our Border Back Convoy_10.jpg

An emcee poses from an empty stage while supporters are long overdue expected from San Ysidro, CA at the Take Our Border Back Convoy in Yuma, AZ on February 3, 2024. The main crowd earlier the day in Yuma was reported to be about 250.

Photo Essay_8059075308_Take Our Border Back Convoy_11.jpg

Daughters of Qarinna Richardson Martinez listen to their maternal grandmother Sandra Martinez (not pictured) on stage lamenting the Fentanyl overdose death of their mother whose demise she correlated to undocumented immigrants smuggling it and other drugs to the United States by its southern border with Mexico. The family was a part of approximately 250 people to gather in the morning in San Ysidro, CA on February 3, 2024 as a part of the Take Our Border Back Convoy calling for tighter border restrictions. The movement, organized by Scotty Saks, projected participation of 700k trucks nationwide to convoy to destinations Yuma, AZ and Eagle Pass, TX culminating on February 3, 2024. A few dozen San Ysidro protestors trekked to Yuma the same day where attendance was also spare. Saks labeled the influx of immigrants as “a national security crisis”. The 700k did not come to frution.

Photo Essay_8059075308_Take Our Border Back Convoy_12.jpg

At dusk, a tired baby boy is pushed along in a cart at the Take Our Border Back Convoy culmination point in Yuma, AZ.

Photo Essay_8059075308_Take Our Border Back Convoy_13.jpg

The sun starts to set in Yuma, AZ as border control activists continue to wait for the group from San Ysidro, CA on February 3, 2024. The CA group was several hours behind leading to speculation that organizers had not calculated in the time difference between the states.

Photo Essay_8059075308_Take Our Border Back Convoy_14.jpg

An American pit bull sits at the helm of a Ford campervan in as the Take Our Border Back Convoy border control activists trickle in from San Ysidro several hours late to Yuma, AZ on February 3, 2024.

Photo Essay_8059075308_Take Our Border Back Convoy_15 .jpg

Ted Gallinat waves as the Take Our Border Back Convoy from San Ysidro passes through El Centro, CA on February 3, 2024.

Photo Essay_8059075308_Take Our Border Back Convoy_16.jpg

Cars donning controversial signs, banners and flags park alongside the road in Yuma, AZ, the destination point for western state participants in the Take Our Border Back Convoy on February 3, 2024.

Photo Essay_8059075308_Take Our Border Back Convoy_17.jpg

The sun sets in Yuma, AZ as border control activists trickle in from San Ysidro, CA on February 3, 2024. The CA group was several hours behind leading to speculation that, in part, organizers had not calculated in the time difference between the states.

Photo Essay_8059075308_Take Our Border Back Convoy_18.jpg

At dusk, the bulk of the Take Our Border Back Convoy from San Ysidro, CA arrives at to Yuma, AZ on February 3, 2024. The CA group was several hours behind leading to speculation that, in part, organizers had not calculated in the time difference between the states.

Third place: GINA FERAZZI, LOS ANGELES TIMES

PHOTOESSAY_3107380134_Iowa_Caucus_Night_01.jpg

The Californians pulled on hats, gloves, scarves and puffy winter coats. Michael Porter covered his face in a warm balaclava and his wife, Natalia, stepped into the boots she had just purchased at Costco. Their 28-year-old daughter, Deborah Stoner, pulled a neon orange Ron DeSantis T-shirt over her head and popped on a matching “DeSantis Precinct Captain” hat. Her husband, Jonathan, wrapped a scarf around his head.Then they pushed their way out the front door, their breath making puffs in the frigid winter air.It was Iowa caucuses night for the California family. Condensation forms as Natalia Porter, right, of Huntington Beach and her son-in-law Jonathan Stoner breath the sub-zero air on a snowy path to Caucuses night at Mitchell Elementary School on January 15, 2024 in Ames, Iowa. Porter is going to observe the process while Stoner, originally from Lakewood, California and now living in Ames, Iowa will be voting.

PHOTOESSAY_3107380134_Iowa_Caucus_Night_02.jpg

Natalia Porter of Huntington Beach glasses are fogged up as she enters Caucuses night after walking in sub-zero temperatures from her daughters house to observe the process at Mitchell Elementary School on January 15, 2024 in Ames, Iowa. Porter’s daughter Deborah Stoner is a Ron DeSantis precinct captain.

PHOTOESSAY_3107380134_Iowa_Caucus_Night_03.jpg

Iowans use the wall to fill out their registration paperwork on caucus night at Mitchell Elementary school on January 15, 2024 in Ames, Iowa.The three precincts brought 131 people giving Trump the win by nine votes.

PHOTOESSAY_3107380134_Iowa_Caucus_Night_04.jpg

Iowans check-in on Caucuses night at Mitchell Elementary school on January 15, 2024 in Ames, Iowa.A total of 131 residents voted at the elementary school.

PHOTOESSAY_3107380134_Iowa_Caucus_Night_05.jpg

Jennifer Freel, a volunteer for Nikki Haley from Texas, hands out Haley stickers to Iowans on caucus night at Mitchell Elementary school on January 15, 2024 in Ames, Iowa.The three precincts brought 131 people giving Trump the win by nine votes.

PHOTOESSAY_3107380134_Iowa_Caucus_Night_06.jpg

Ron DeSantis precinct captain Deborah Stoner, formerly of Huntington Beach, now living in Ames, Iowa, right, speaks with a Trump supporter during the Caucuses night at Mitchell Elementary School on January 15, 2024 in Ames, Iowa.

PHOTOESSAY_3107380134_Iowa_Caucus_Night_07.jpg

Pink slips of paper are collected in a wicker basket to tally the votes on caucus night at Mitchell Elementary January 15, 2024 in Ames, Iowa.

PHOTOESSAY_3107380134_Iowa_Caucus_Night_08.jpg

Pink slips of paper representing votes are counted in the hallway on caucus night at Mitchell Elementary on January 15, 2024 in Ames, Iowa. After 131 votes were counted, Trump won by nine votes.

PHOTOESSAY_3107380134_Iowa_Caucus_Night_09.jpg

Proudly wearing a Trump hat, Ev Cherryington, 86, of Ames, right, cheers as the results of the Iowa Caucus are read giving Trump the win by nine votes on caucus night at Mitchell Elementary January 15, 2024 in Ames, Iowa.

PHOTOESSAY_3107380134_Iowa_Caucus_Night_10.jpg

A caucus goer leaves with a Trump sign after Trump won the Iowa Caucuses in this precinct by nine votes at Mitchell Elementary January 15, 2024 in Ames, Iowa.

Meet Our Judge, Jennifer Heffner

With over 25 years of experience, she has captured stunning visuals from the halls of The White House to the pages of major publications. Jennifer is a renowned commercial, advertising, and editorial photographer, and she co-founded East 27 Creative with her business partner, John Devaney. Their studios in Washington, DC, and East Hampton, NY, have been the backdrop for countless creative projects. Ten years as a White House Photographer and Editor in DC.

Jennifer is also an advocate for photographers, having served in various leadership positions, including as past Director of American Photographic Artists, Washington, DC Chapter, Vice President of Women Photojournalists of Washington (WPOW), and co-president of the American Society of Picture Professionals (ASPP).

When Jennifer isn't behind the lens, you can find her exploring the great outdoors, paddleboarding on Gardner Bay in East Hampton, NY, or hiking through the majestic mountain ranges of Virginia. As a mother to four creative children, she inspires the next generation of storytellers.

Contact Us

Press Photographers Association of Greater Los Angeles

Photo Contest Winners