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Joel Lugavere, PPAGLA president in 1980, has been hospitalized for three months and has another month in the hospital. He is sorry that he missed the last awards luncheon. He would like to hear from some of the members who worked with him at the Los Angeles Times Valley Edition. Joel’s cell number is 818 399-7812. He lives in Las Vegas.
Harold Irwin Garb passed away in Los Angeles on April 12, 2025, just shy of his 90th birthday. A native Angelino, Hal began his photography career as a copyboy for the old Herald Examiner before becoming an influential television executive. Eventually he returned to photography, freelancing once again for UPI and AFP. He was a long-time member of the Press Photographers Association of Greater Los Angeles and served as Director in 2003 and 2004. He supported the Student Scholar Fund since it’s inception 30 years ago.
He was a world traveler, runner, mountain climber, and champion skeet shooter. Hal is pre-deceased by the love of his life, Margaret, and survived by his family; Lawrence (Ellen), Michelle (Kevin), grandchildren Andrew (Shan) and Jake (Savannah).
Patrick O’Donnell, University Photographer, Emeritus passed away last week after battling a brief illness. Pat joined the photo faculty at CSUF in 1983, teaching young, aspiring photographers how to capture the moment. Within months, Pat established a student chapter of the National Press Photographer's Association and organized many student contests. With Pat’s energy, the photo-communications program thrived, graduating some of the best photojournalists in the country. O’Donnell left full-time teaching in 1990 but remained actively involved with the campus.
Pat’s journey into photography began in sunny southern California. Inspired by a high school teacher, he won the Kodak High School Sweepstakes Award, propelling him into a 60-year career as a celebrated photojournalist.
O’Donnell photographed eight U.S. presidents, including Richard Nixon, speaking to a crowd at the El Toro Marine Base after his resignation from the presidency. He was there when Lyndon Johnson spoke at UCI’s groundbreaking ceremonies and when candidate Jimmy Carter campaigned through Orange County. He also covered President Ronald Reagan speaking at Cal State Fullerton in 1988, and later, as the photographer for Cal State Fullerton’s Public Affairs Office, he traveled to Washington, D.C., with Titan baseball teams to record their celebration as national champions with Bill Clinton, in 1995, and George W. Bush, in 2005.
His website hosts a portfolio of his work: www.patrickinfocus.com
Patrick O'Donnell was honored last year, 2024 as a Lifetime Award recipient at the Annual Banquet. He died on Thu, Mar 27, 2025.
Congratulations to all the winners at this year’s annual banquet as we celebrated your work. Results have been posted. Be sure to check out the award winning work as well as this year’s lifetime achievement award honorees Martin Orozco and Reed Saxon.
Get your photos ready to submit for the Q1 quarterly contest, due April 15. Updated rules will be posted soon as we transition back to a points system for the quarterly contest.
Thank you to our sponsors Nikon for sponsoring the Student Photojournalist, Student Videographer, Photographer of the Year and Canon for sponsoring Video Storyteller of the Year awards. As well as sponsors Sony, Tamron, Woodland Hills Camera & Telescope, Shooter Slicker Raincovers, and Samys Camera for raffle prizes.
Photos: Dana Rene White
Press Photographers Association of Greater Los Angeles and National Press Photographers Association presents: Come join us at the Edison Theatre for a night of stunning photography capturing the highlights of the Dodgers World Series victories. Get up close and personal with iconic shots that showcase the team's triumphs on the field. Whether you're a die-hard fan or simply appreciate great photography, this event is sure to impress. Don't miss out on this exclusive opportunity to relive the excitement of the Dodgers' championship moments through the lens of talented press photographers. See you there!
Joann Arlene (Deeter) Matos 1929 – 2024
Photo by Amy Gaskin
We are sad to let you know that our dear Joanna Matos passed away this week. Joanna was a special member of our Press Photographers’ family. Among many accomplishments, Joanna was the first woman to lead the Press Photographers Association of Greater Los Angeles as president in 1979. She was well respected in a male dominated industry. She was more than well respected, she was well loved. She was a bright light in our group.
Joann Arlene ‘Joanna’ (Deeter) Matos, a devoted Christian, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend passed away on Friday, September 13th 2024, and is now with the Lord.
Joanna was born in Gary Indiana on December 1st 1929 to Warden Deeter and Helen Metz. She was the oldest of four siblings including Shirley Forney, Sally Springer and William (Hank) Deeter.
She is survived by her middle sister Shirley Forney (93), her daughter Janet Carlow, Joyce Smith (deceased) and two sons Gary and Christopher Matos. Joanna was blessed with nine grandchildren; Zachary and Kelsey Carlow; Nathan, Thea and Phillip Matos; Russell and Erin Matos; Dylan Smith and Matthew Pontratig. She also celebrated her eight great grandchildren; Benjamin and Aubrey (Carlow) Tate; Hue Carlow; Joanna, Clark and Daphne (Matos) Moshofsky and Arabella and Cullen Smith. Joanna’s Husband, Walter Gilmore Matos, proceeded her in death in 2001.
Joanna’s adventures started at an early age of 22. After visiting California with her sister and two friends in 1950, she returned to Indiana, loaded up her car and headed west. In San Diego, she was promptly hired by Conair and met her future husband, Walter Matos, at a naval dance party. The Korean War took them to Guam for two years before returning to California and settling in Orange County. Although she was always active with the local PTA, Joanna will be remembered as an outgoing Girl Scout leader that loved the outdoors and scaled many trails and Sierra Mountain peaks with her high school girls.
After her four children were well on their way, Joanna re-invented herself at the age of 45 as a Photojournalist. She obtained an Associate Degree at Fullerton Junior College and then worked for the La Habra Star and Santa Ana Register newspaper companies. In 1976, she joined the staff at Knott’s Berry Farm as their Public Relations Photographer where she worked for nearly a decade. Joanna quickly became recognized for her candid and award winning action photographs. She broke the mold becoming the first woman to photograph USC and Los Angeles Ram football along with the Anaheim Angels baseball games.
In 1979, Joanna set another first by being elected President of the Press Photographers Association of Greater Los Angeles, where she was a member for 50 years. In 2022, she received the Lifetime Achievement Award for her many landmarks and years of service. She was a founder of the Student Scholarship Award, helping many students for more than 30 years. Through her humble and professional demeanor, Joanna paved the way for all future female photographers.
In 1985, Joanna shifted her professional career and joined Stevenson-Asher Travel where she specialized in cruise ship excursions for 20 years. Of all the places she traveled, Joanna especially liked Poland and Russia but also had very memorable experiences in Norway, Africa, Cuba and the Artic. Her home was a fascinating and visual museum of her travels. Many Leisure World residents participated in cruises that she organized as a contract travel agent following her retirement.
Joanna moved into Leisure World, Mutual 2, in November of 2000. As was typical with her embodiment, she wasted no time in becoming involved with the Traveling Tigers, Photography, Astronomy, Lapidary, Garden and Rollin Thunder Cart Clubs. She served as the Building Captain for her mutual for over 20 years, participated in the Emergency Buddy System and was an active member of CERT. She also wrote numerous articles for the LW Weekly chronicling community events or her storied world travels. Outside of LW, Joanna was a member of the Southern California Prowler’s Car Club where she hosted many fund raising events for our veterans of war. She had a lifelong passion for classic cars and Route 66.
Most recently, she could be seen zipping around Leisure World in her Club Car, attending a concert at the amphitheater or enjoying a simple meal on Taco Tuesday. Joanna liked wearing festive colors and clothing and was always a shining light to everyone she met. Rarely did a person pass her home without being greeted with a friendly hello or an encouraging word.
There will be a Celebration of Life for Joanna at the Leisure World Methodist Church at 11AM, Saturday, November 16 at 14000 Church Pl., Seal Beach, CA. The family asks all to please wear their brightest “Joanna” inspired clothing for a celebration. Following our time in the church there will be casual lunch and more sharing. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the Student Scholarship Fund at the Press Photographers Assoc. of Greater Los Angeles. Joanna was a founder of this award, helping students for over 30 years.
Donations can be made via the link below or a check can be mailed to: PPAGLA SCHOLARSHIP FUND C/O RICK MEYER, 861 BROWN DRIVE, BURBANK, CA 91504-1838. QUESTIONS TO RICK MEYER LAPHOTOG@AOL.COM
Photo by Mike Goulding
“Santa Ana city officials are targeting photojournalists during public city council meetings, insisting they work out of a remote corner of the hearing chambers or take photos from seats in the audience.
Photojournalists are now also restricted from moving around the council chamber aisles to get images of official deliberations and public comment.
This new media policy was just rolled out one day by city staff under the thumb of a mayor that doesn’t like media coverage without any public discussion by city council members, much less any effort to consult with members of the press corps before adopting such ridiculous restrictions. ”
““Most people think we just take photos,” said Thomas Cordova, President of the Press Photographers Association of Greater Los Angeles and a photo editor at the Long Beach Post.
“They don’t understand we are photojournalists, we tell stories when we make our photos,” Cordova added.
“Penning photographers,” Cordova stressed, is a form of prior restraint, in essence a blanket approach that blames everyone for the abuses of a few.
“As long as photographers are professional and unobtrusive,” he added, “there should be no problem allowing them to do the work they are there for.” ”
Read the full article here - https://voiceofoc.org/2024/08/santana-fighting-off-a-press-pen-in-santa-ana/
We’ve recently learned that Joe Messinger, veteran Los Angeles photographer, photo editor and stalwart of the PPAGLA for decades, passed away last year in Roseburg, Ore., at the age of 81. Formally known as Joseph Charles Messinger, Joe passed away on September 25, 2023, in Roseburg, Oregon, of natural causes. He was born on June 17, 1942, in Glendale, Calif., the son of Franklin Messinger and Donna Stephens.
“Joe was a devoted husband to Martha A. Sinkula, a loving grandfather figure to August, Leo, and Diane, and a father figure to Mike, Karin, and Rebecca. He cherished his family and always put their needs above his own. Joseph’s warm smile and kind heart touched the lives of many, and he will be remembered fondly by all who knew him.
Joe and his father, Franklin, shared a special bond while exploring their mutual passion for photography. Franklin’s guidance and expertise deepened Joe’s understanding of the craft, turning his hobby into a reward-winning career. ”
Before his retirement in Oregon, Joe spent a long journalistic career in Los Angeles, primarily as a photographer and later photo editor for the Los Angeles Herald-Examiner, then as a photography professor at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College.
He was a member of the PPAGLA for decades, and his contributions to our organization are legendary. He was on the board from 1984 to 2003. He was president in 1986 and 1989. And he was a longtime contributor to the Past President and Retired Members Scholarship Fund since its 1992 inception.
But perhaps his greatest legacy with the PPAGLA was being the driving force behind a group titled the Media Access and Information Committee (MAIC).
Over months and years, Joe and others reached out to police and fire first responders and fellow journalists, to inform and clarify – to them and us – what are the proper standards for media access to newsworthy scenes. The resulting document, the Media Guidebook, remains a standard of news coverage in Southern California.
A celebration of life will be held on April 27th, 2024, at the Umpqua Unitarian Universalist Congregation.
Where: 2167 NW Watters, Roseburg OR 97471 When: 1:00 pm
Rest in peace, Joe. Your kindness, wisdom, and warmth will be deeply missed but fondly remembered.
We deeply regret the passing of Samy Kamienowicz, founder and owner of Samy’s Camera. His importance to our photographic community was legendary, unmatched and will be missed.
The PPAGLA Board and its members
Photo by: Ralph Starkweather
Nikon Professional Services will be offering camera cleanings to PPAGLA members from Friday, March 8, 2024 - Sunday, March 10, 2024. To make an appointment see the information below and contact Molly Riley:
Dear PPAGLA Member,
Nikon Professional Services is hosting an Aftercare Event, plus touch & try the latest gear and PPAGLA members have been invited.
To participate, RSVP to join an exclusive event hosted by NPS to receive your complimentary camera sensor and lens cleanings.
When:
Friday, March 8 | 11:00AM 1pm – 7:00PM PT (we are at capacity until 1pm)
Saturday, March 9 | 9:00AM – 5:00PM PT
Sunday, March 10 | 9:00AM – 2:00PM PT
Dates and times to be confirmed with your RSVP
Where:
Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel
7000 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
How to Join: RSVP BY MARCH 7
o NPS members RSVP through your NPS member dashboard at: www.nikonpro.com and Molly will contact you directly.
OR
o Not yet a NPS member? RSVP by email to Molly Riley at: molly.riley@nikon.com
o Please let Molly know what day and time you would like to visit for camera cleaning, and the NPS Team will do their best to accommodate your preference, but they do have a limit to number of people in the suite at one time.
Your flexibility is most appreciated. Appointments are scheduled on a first come first served basis. The number of items Nikon can service for you will depend on time available.
The NPS team hopes to see you there!
Submit your best work of 2023 to the annual contest. You must have been a PPAGLA member in 2023 to enter. The deadline is 11:59pm, Jan 31, 2024.
To qualify for the POY category you must have participated in the quarterly contest. Entries for the Q4 (Oct-Dec) contest are also due Jan 31 and can be submitted here - https://www.ppagla.org/quarterly-stills-contest
Click here for rules and the entry page for Video - https://www.ppagla.org/video-contest-entry
Click here for rules and the entry page for Stills - https://www.ppagla.org/stills-contest-entry
Students can submit here - https://www.ppagla.org/student-contests-rules
Details are still being worked out on the luncheon and we will share dates and location in following weeks.
View the recording of the event below -
Woodland Hills Camera & Telescopes will present a spectacular and informative astronomy webinar on October 18, 2023.
The Webinar will explore several avenues of astronomy photography for our membership. The areas are rocket launch photography, lighting of the aurora borealis, eclipse of the sun photography, how to photograph star patterns and star clusters, the use of various cameras and telescopes in photographing outer space, what are the best cameras and telescopes for students, and pricing of equipment for astronomy photography.
PPAGLA thanks Woodland Hills Camera & Telescopes for their time and effort in presenting this Webinar. We look forward to our Membership’s involvement and asking questions during the Q&A session. So on October 18, 2023, at 7 p.m., let’s sit back and take a trip to outer space!
Be sure to submit photos to the Q2 Quarterly contest. Here are some highlights of the quarterlies.
1). Maximum 20 images across all categories. Please see the fine print for more details.
2). Are you planning to enter Photographer of the Year next year? If so, please enter at least one frame in at least TWO Quarterly Contests. This may be a requirement. Participation matters. We use the Quarterly galleries to help educate students and at PPAGLA we are all about giving back and helping the next generation!
3). Remove your name from all caption fields. Otherwise, your image might not be judged. Same goes for file naming.
DEADLINE, QUARTER 2 (April, May, June) is July 31, 11:59pm.
Check out the winners for the PPAGLA Q1 Contest on our contest page here: https://www.ppagla.org/pc-winners
Thanks to Camera Bits and Mick Orlosky for hosting PPAGLA’s May Photo Mechanic Seminar. A recording is posted here. Be sure sign up for the newsletter to be informed when the next copyright seminar and other special events are happening.
PPAGLA member Christina House was awarded the 2023 Pulitzer for Feature Photography for her photo story documenting the life of a 22-year-old pregnant woman living on the streets of Los Angeles, California. Congratulations, Christina!
Excerpts from a Fox 11 News broadcast, reprinted here with permission:
Longtime FOX 11 reporter Tony Valdez passed away at the age of 78. His son Steve said that his father had been battling end-stage kidney failure and passed away at his home. Valdez was a proud Angeleno, growing up in downtown LA. He said at the time, he didn't see any Latinos or people who looked like him on TV and credits himself for breaking the color barrier for Latinos.
He worked for KTTV for 35 years. He began in 1981 and retired in 2016. He was the longtime host of Midday Sunday and co-anchored weekends with Christine Devine in the 1990s. He was also the host of the crime series LA’s Most Wanted, in the era of the show America’s Most Wanted.
Prior to joining KTTV, he worked at KCET, KTLA and La Opiñion. He covered everything from the Watts Riots to the Hillside Strangler, Night Stalker, O.J. Simpson and several political elections.
“Whether itls murder, mayhem, death or disaster, those are the things that I feel a sense of responsibility to report,” Valdez said when he announced his retirement.
Valdez was the union shop steward at FOX 11 and chaired the 8 Ball Emergency Fund for JNournalists foundation, helping local journalists in need and granting scholarships. He was also an avid photographer and documented Los Angeles in black and white and was an honorary member of the Press Photographers Association of Greater Los Angeles (PPAGLA). His second love was music and played the saxophone.
“Anyone who worked with Tony can tell you of his complete dedication to the truth in journalism. He knew this city inside and out,” said FOX 11 anchor Christine Devine.
She said Tony would work every Thanksgiving, insisting he wanted to spend it with his FOX 11 family. For Christmas, he would treat the newsroom to tamales first made by his aunt, and then when she retired from his favorite shop in East LA, La Indiana. He would deliver the tamales with his sweet grandson. FOX 11 has carried on the tamale tradition ever since!
“Tony Valdez was a trailblazing reporter, advocate, and mentor. He was one of the first Latino journalists to break the color barrier in Los Angeles. And with pride, Tony said he spent 35 years, 5 months, and 4 days covering the stories of this city on KTTV. We are better journalists, and a better community, because of the coverage and compassion of Tony Valdez,” FOX 11 Acting News Director Pete Wilgoren said.
He spent many years as a docent at the LA Conservancy and would lead tours of downtown Los Angeles.
He was a Veteran of the US Army and served during the Vietnam War. Valdez was loved by many in the newsroom and throughout the city. He made an impact in the industry that many will remember.
He received numerous Emmy, Golden Mike and Los Angeles Press Club awards. He attended Los Angeles City College.
Tony is survived by his son, Steve Valdez, and three beloved grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the LA Conservancy or 8 Ball Emergency Fund for Journalists foundation .
Thanks to Sanders Law Group for hosting PPAGLA’s April Copyright Seminar. Attorney Craig Sanders gave a presentation on common copyright issues with photographers followed by a Q and A with members. A recording is posted here. Be sure sign up for the newsletter to be informed when the next copyright seminar and other special events are happening.
