2020 Qtr. 4 Photo Stories

Mark Boster, Quarter 4 Judge

A photo story follows a strong narrative, much like a written story, with a lead or introduction. A closer look at the story with details, portraits, locators and interaction with the characters in the story. Also, a strong,
dominant image should anchor the pictures. There should also be a concluding image. Like most sentences that are written, there should be nouns, verbs and adjectives. Many of us try to use our event coverage as a photo story when in fact they are more like photo essays. The photo essay is typically a group of pictures that can be sequential, based on a common topic, but lack in a narrative.

1st Place: There was one very strong contender here in this category that was quite stunning, sad and very storytelling. It was about an LA County Coroner team who had to retrieve the body of a nurse who quarantined herself while suffering from Covid19 and died alone in a motel room. Details inside the motel room showed pictures, snacks, and clues about the last days and hours of her life. The team carefully wrapped the body and carted her away. Someone once said that photojournalism isn’t always pretty. This was not pretty. This
was real storytelling, visual journalism. Photojournalists are like historians who chronicle the
lives we are living. This one is a document for a cautionary tale of a virus that is real, that is
killing without mercy and each death leaves behind a human story.

 2nd Place: Stop The Steal is a more of a photo essay coverage of a news event, but it is
still a group of strong images from a stop the steal rally in Arizona. Maybe it was the black and
white presentation, or just the topic. Some good portraits, moments, and details mixed
together on a common thread and topic.

3rd Place: A nice photo essay on how kids
visit Santa Claus during a pandemic (CovidSanta). A nice collection of moments, portraits, and a humorous look at Santa from several locations showing Santa behind Plexiglas, Santa with a face shield, details of kids placing letters…etc.

Honorable Mention

A really nice look at a really different opening day at Santa Anita. All the bells,
whistles, horses, jockeys…just no spectators allowed!

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First Place: Jay L. Clendenin, Los Angeles Times

COVID DEATH

Karmen Parga, a scrub tech at Long Beach Memorial Hospital, shows her last text interaction with Judy Bounthong, her friend for decades who had tested positive for Covid-19, in Long Beach, CA, on Oct. 22, 2020. Bounthong, 58, an ob-gyn tech at Emanate Queen of the Valley Hospital, died from coronavirus complications, while isolated in her room at the Days Inn by Wyndham, in West Covina, CA.

Kristina McGuire, an investigator with the Los Angeles County Dept. of Medical Examiner-Coroner enters a room at the Days Inn by Wyndham, in West Covina, with Jerry Meza, forensic attendant, where they recovered the lifeless body of Judy Bounthong, 58, an ob-gyn tech at Emanate Queen of the Valley Hospital, Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020. Bounthong died of coronavirus complications, near the end of her isolation period, she wasn’t discovered for several days.

Kristina McGuire, an investigator with the Los Angeles County Dept. of Medical Examiner-Coroner, exams the lifeless body of Judy Bounthong, 58, an ob-gyn tech at Emanate Queen of the Valley Hospital, at the Days Inn by Wyndham, in West Covina, CA, on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020. Bounthong died of coronavirus complications, near the end of her isolation period and wasn’t discovered for several days.

Work badges for Judy Bounthong, 58, an ob-gyn tech at Emanate Queen of the Valley Hospital, are found on a dresser, after her deceased body was discovered at the Days Inn by Wyndham, in West Covina, CA, on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020. Bounthong died of coronavirus complications, near the end of her isolation period, she wasn’t discovered for several days.

Kristina McGuire, an investigator with the Los Angeles County Dept. of Medical Examiner-Coroner, right and Jerry Meza, forensic attendant, prepare to wrap and transport the lifeless body of Judy Bounthong, 58, an ob-gyn tech at Emanate Queen of the Valley Hospital, in her room at the Days Inn by Wyndham, in West Covina, CA, on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020. Bounthong died of coronavirus complications, near the end of her isolation period, she wasn’t discovered for several days.

Kristina McGuire, an investigator with the Los Angeles County Dept. of Medical Examiner-Coroner, right and Jerry Meza, forensic attendant, prepare to wrap and transport the lifeless body of Judy Bounthong, 58, an ob-gyn tech at Emanate Queen of the Valley Hospital, in her room at the Days Inn by Wyndham, in West Covina, CA, on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020. Bounthong died of coronavirus complications, near the end of her isolation period, she wasn’t discovered for several days.

Kristina McGuire, an investigator with the Los Angeles County Dept. of Medical Examiner-Coroner, right and Jerry Meza, forensic attendant, prepare to transport the lifeless body of Judy Bounthong, 58, an ob-gyn tech at Emanate Queen of the Valley Hospital, in her room at the Days Inn by Wyndham, in West Covina, CA, on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020. Bounthong died of coronavirus complications, near the end of her isolation period, she wasn’t discovered for several days.

Kristina McGuire, an investigator with Los Angeles County Dept. of Medical Examiner-Coroner walks toward Jerry Meza, forensic attendant, to help move the gurney carrying the lifeless body of Judy Bounthong, 58, an ob-gyn tech who died of coronavirus complications, at the Days Inn by Wyndham, in West Covina, CA, on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020. Bounthong, who worked at Emanate Queen of the Valley Hospital, died near the end of her isolation period, she wasn’t discovered for several days.

Kristina McGuire, an investigator with the Los Angeles County Dept. of Medical Examiner-Coroner, combs through belongings, looking for clues about the life of a deceased Judy Bounthong, 58, an ob-gyn tech, found dead in her room at the Days Inn by Wyndham, in West Covina, CA, on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020. McGuire has to document all the property of the deceased and create a report of her findings. Bounthong died of coronavirus complications, near the end of her isolation period and wasn’t discovered for several days.

The empty, stained bed, where the lifeless body of Judy Bounthong, 58, an ob-gyn tech at Emanate Queen of the Valley Hospital was found by Los Angeles County Dept. of Medical Examiner-Coroner workers, at the Days Inn by Wyndham, in West Covina, CA, on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020. Bounthong died of coronavirus complications, near the end of her isolation period, she wasn’t discovered for several days.

Kristina McGuire, an investigator with the Los Angeles County Dept. of Medical Examiner-Coroner, reviews prescriptions and all other personal items, looking for clues about the life of a deceased Judy Bounthong, 58, an ob-gyn tech, found dead in her room at the Days Inn by Wyndham, in West Covina, CA, on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020. McGuire has to document all the property of the deceased and create a report of her findings. Bounthong died of coronavirus complications, near the end of her isolation period and wasn’t discovered for several days.

Food supplies, including bananas, instant soups and fruit cups, on a desk in the Days Inn by Wyndham room, of Judy Bounthong, 58, an ob-gyn tech at Emanate Queen of the Valley Hospital, who was found deceased in her room in West Covina, CA, on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020. Bounthong died of coronavirus complications, near the end of her isolation period and wasn’t discovered for several days.

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Second Place: Gina Ferazzi, Los Angeles Times

Stop The Steal

For days, Trump supporters rallied in protest to push their fraudulent claim that the election was stolen outside the Maricopa County Election Center as presidential ballots are tabulated. Far-right radio host and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones incites the crowd of Trump supporters who have been protesting into the night in the parking lot at the Maricopa County Election Center on November 5, 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona

A gun toting Trump supporter who would only give his last name, Alan of Mesa, attends a protest in the parking lot at the Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center as ballots continue to be counted inside the building on November 5, 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona. Arizona has an open cary gun law.

A Trump supporter wears glasses that illuminate the word “MAGA” while attending a “Stop the Steal” protest in the parking lot at the Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center as presidential ballots continue to be counted inside the building on November 5, 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona.

Trump supporters brought their guns, Trump flags and patriotic shirts to protest in the parking lot at the Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center as ballots continue to be counted inside the building on November 5, 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona. Many chanted “Count the Vote.”

Trump supporters with some holding signs staying “Stop the Steal” protest in the parking lot at the Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center as ballots continue to be counted inside the building on November 5, 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona

Trump supporters bow their heads in prayer while protesting in the parking lot at the Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center as ballots continue to be counted inside the building on November 5, 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona

As storm clouds move in, a Trump supporter holds a cross up to the sky while attending a pro-Trump rally to defy the election results hours after Biden was named President-elect outside the Maricopa County elections building on November 7, 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona.

Trump supporter Elizabeth Lund of Gilbert holds her rosary and a religious photo while attending a “Stop The Steal” rally on the same day Biden was named President-elect on November 7, 2020 at the State Capitol in Phoenix, Arizona. Thousands of pro-Trump supporters attended the rally.

A pro-Trump family prays for favorable election returns while gathering outside the Maricopa county elections building with other Trump supporters to protest election results on November 6, 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona. Trump supporters have gathered outside the election building all day waiting for more election results to come in for Maricopa County.

Paintings of President Trump lean against a fence near a trash can the day before Joe Biden was named President- elect in the parking lot at the Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center where day long rallies were being held by Trump supporters to negate the election results on November 6, 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona

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Third place: Mel Melcon, Los Angeles Times

COVID SANTA

Noah Rouse, 11, and his sister Alena, 4, of Moorpark, have their temperature taken by Whispering-Willow Dela Cruz, as a safety measure against the spread of the coronavirus before meeting with Santa Claus, (Joseph Polselli) at Santa’s Village, located at the Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks.

Background left to right-Griffin Hodge, 5, his sister Delaney, 7, and brother Wyatt, 10, wear protective masks against the coronavirus, while sitting at a safe distance from Santa Claus, (Joseph Polselli) at Santa’s Village, located at the Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks. They were taking the Santa Claus oath, promising to behave with each other and show respect, do their chores, be a good citizen, and promise to go to bed at 8pm on Christmas Eve.

Wearing protective masks against the coronavirus, Kristen Vazquez points out Santa Claus to her 2 year old twin daughters, Zoe Vazquez, center, and Stella, of Los Angeles, during a visit to Underwood Family Farms in Moorpark. They were waiting in line to take a socially distanced photograph with Santa.

Santa Claus, Jeffrey Fast, wears a protective mask against the coronavirus, while waiting for children to arrive for a photo and meeting with him at the Westfield Topanga Mall in Canoga Park. He was sitting in an enclosed space to guarantee a safe distance between him and the children.

Larry Buckelew, dressed up as Santa Claus, greets visitors to the Westfield Century City shopping mall, in a protective setting against the coronavirus.

Delilah Liljedahl-Loya, 3, greets Santa Claus, seated inside his sleigh, behind plexiglass to protect against the coronavirus, at The Los Angeles Christmas Market on 3rd St. in Los Angeles.

Evan Lane, 10, background, with sister Sydney, 7, look back to make sure their dad, Brett, with mom, Heather, is covering his ears so that he can’t hear, before Evan asked Santa (Joseph Polselli) for a specific present for his dad. The socially distanced meeting with Santa, to protect against the spread of the coronavirus, took place at Santa’s Village, at the Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks.

Daxton Tait, 4, of Northridge, wearing a protective mask against the spread of the coronavirus, mails a letter to Santa Claus, while visiting The Los Angeles Christmas Market on 3rd St. in Los Angeles.

Santa Claus (Ed Nabors), returning from a lunch break, makes his way past a security guard, wearing a protective mask against the spread of the coronavirus, at the South Bay Galleria in Redondo Beach.

Aerin Kim, 4, acting a little shy, hides behind her mom, Gina, after spotting Santa Claus (Larry Buckelew), at the Westfield Century City shopping mall. Santa was on his way to a lunch break. They were all wearing protective masks against the spread of the coronavirus.

Larry Buckelew, dressed up as Santa Claus, greets visitors to the Westfield Century City shopping mall at a safe distance to protect against the spread of the coronavirus.

Nora Vetter of Los Angeles takes a selfie with Santa Claus, Larry Buckelew, while socially distanced at the Hollywood & Highland shopping center in Hollywood. Santa was wearing a protective shield as another safety measure against the coronavirus.

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Honorable Mention

KEITH BIRMINGHAM, PASADENA STAR-NEWS

Santa Anita opening day

Horse racing with no fans due to the Coronavirus Pandemic during opening day of horse racing at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia on Saturday, December 26, 2020.

Horn Blower Jay Cohen during opening day of horse racing at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia on Saturday, December 26, 2020.

Horse racing with no fans due to the Coronavirus Pandemic during opening day of horse racing at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia on Saturday, December 26, 2020.

Trainers and owners wearing a mask due to the Coronavirus Pandemic walks along with horses and jockeys during opening day of horse racing at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia on Saturday, December 26, 2020.

A rider walks his horse along the track during opening day of horse racing at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia on Saturday, December 26, 2020.

Horse racing with no fans due to the Coronavirus Pandemic during opening day of horse racing at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia on Saturday, December 26, 2020.

Jockey Flavien Prat (8) riding Duopoly wins the American Oaks (Grade 1) turf race during opening day of horse racing at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia on Saturday, December 26, 2020.

Jockey Flavien Prat (8) riding Duopoly wins the American Oaks (Grade 1) turf race during opening day of horse racing at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia on Saturday, December 26, 2020.

Jockey Mike Smith after riding Charlatan wins the Malibu Stakes (Grade 1) race during opening day of horse racing at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia on Saturday, December 26, 2020.

Trainer Bob Baffert, left, along with Jockey Mike Smith after riding Charlatan and winning the Malibu Stakes (Grade 1) race during opening day of horse racing at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia on Saturday, December 26, 2020.

Jockey Mike Smith (2) riding Kiss Today Goodbye wins the San Antonio Stakes (Grade II) race during opening day of horse racing at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia on Saturday, December 26, 2020.

A outrider looks on at the end of the day on opening day of horse racing at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia on Saturday, December 26, 2020.

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MEET OUR JUDGE, Mark Boster

Staff Photographer/Whittier Daily News-1976-1978

Staff Photographer/San Gabriel Valley Tribune-1978-1979

Staff Photographer/Orange County Register-1979-1983

Staff Photographer/Los Angeles Times-1983-2017

While working for the Los Angeles Times, Boster worked in Orange County and Los Angeles. Notable assignments at the Los Angeles Times include the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. War Coverage and post-war coverage in Kosovo (Former Yugoslavia). News events including the Northridge Earthquake, wildfires in Santa Barbara, San Diego and Orange counties. The Space Shuttle disaster and crash over Texas, the San Bernardino shootout and mass murder. Daily assignments at the Times include early morning news coverage and photography for all sections of the paper, including food, fashion and Hollywood celebrity portraiture. Political assignments at the Times include the state funerals for Presidents Richard M. Nixon and Gerald Ford. The presidential campaigns of Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, Sen. John McCain, Fred Thompson and Al Gore. Sports events include Super Bowl games and the 2002 Angel’s World Series. Coverage in Hollywood includes the Oscar, Emmy and Grammy award shows.

2020 Qtr. 3 Singles

Quarter 3 judge, Barry ‘Bear’ Gutierrez

General News

First Place: TERRY PIERSON, THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG

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Maria Martinez, center is comforted by daughters Veronica Martinez, left and Griselda Martinez as they say their last good byes to son and brother Army Spc. Enrique Roman-Martinez during his burial at Forest Lawn Memorial in Covina on Saturday, August 22, 2020. Army Spc. Enrique Roman-Martinez was murdered on a camping trip with fellow soldiers on Memorial Day Weekend while stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina in May 2020.

Second Place: Raul Roa, The Daily Pilot/LA Times

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Alyssa Skobis, 22 of Downey, is baptized in the Pacific Ocean by Salt Costa Mesa Church leaders Joe Ferguson, left, and his wife Taylor Ferguson, during the weekly Saturate OC worship event held north of the pier in Huntington Beach, on Friday, July 10, 2020.

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Third Place: RINGO CHIU, FREELANCE

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World War II veteran Sidney Walton, 101, holding his son Paul Walton’s hand takes part in a parade in honor of 101-year-old WWII Veteran Sidney Walton, on Friday, July 3, 2020. As part of “No Regrets Tour” across America, WWII Veteran Sidney Walton will lead a parade on the 101 Hollywood Freeway with 101 cars.

Honorable Mention: KENT NISHIMURA, LOS ANGELES TIMES

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MONTEREY, CA - AUGUST 20: Rey, a penguin, looks out at the Kelp Forest tank while stopping near Senior Aviculturist Kim Fukuda, 46, of Marina, while Rey takes a stroll in the aquarium outside of the penguin enclosure at the Monterey Bay Aquarium on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020 in Monterey, CA. The aquarium has been closed to the public until further notice due to the ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic.

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Honorable Mention: TERRY PIERSON, THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG

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Charles Morton’s fiancee, Monica Tapia carries his wooden urn as she is escorted by Vicki Christiansen, Chief of the U.S. Forest Service, right and family members as firefighters salute during a memorial for Charles Morton, the U.S.F.S. firefighter assigned to the Big Bear Hotshots who was killed in the line of duty on Sept. 17 on the El Dorado Fire in the San Bernardino National Forest at The Rock Church in San Bernardino on Friday, Sept. 25, 2020.

Honorable Mention: APU GOMES, AFP

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A counter protester (R) stands on her car and shows her middle finger to people gathered for a pro-Trump rally in Beverly Hills, California on October 3, 2020.

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Feature

First Place: GINA FERAZZI, LOS ANGELES TIMES

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WHITEWATER, CA - SEPTEMBER 18, 2020: Elias Lomeli of Desert Hot Springs turns away from the blowing water as a firefighting helicopter fills up with water at a pond near a rest stop off Interstate 10 while battling the Snow fire on September 18, 2020 in Whitewater, California. The fire is 8 miles northwest of Palm Springs and has burned more than 2,500 acres. Elias is with his mom Rocio, left, brother Emiliano, middle, and brother Ezequiel, right.

Second Place: MINDY SCHAUER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER/SCNG

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Because of the coronavirus pandemic, Epic Yoga students take part in an outside class on the rooftop of JD’s Kitchen and Bar in San Clemente on Sunday, July 26, 2020.

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Third Place: RINGO CHIU, FREELANCE

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Members of hand crew work on the fire line in Yucaipa, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020.

Honorable Mention: MINDY SCHAUER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER/SCNG

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Wendy Marshall, president of the Ocean Institute in Dana Point, cools off during the “Paddle-By” on Saturday, August 22, 2020.The event kicked off the Institute’s “Move Your Booty Challenge,” a pre-event for the Virtual Maritime Festival coming in September. The virtual stream is replacing the annual Tall Ships Festival because of the coronavirus pandemic.

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Honorable Mention: KEITH BIRMINGHAM, PASADENA STAR-NEWS

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Kids have fun with bubbles from Bubbleman Frenchie Monceaux at sunset at San Clemente State Beach in San Clemente on Friday, August 7, 2020.

Honorable Mention: Nick Ut

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Children ride their bicycles near the Santa Fe Recreational Area as smoke from the BobCat Fire casts an ominous color in the background, in Irwindale.

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Portrait

First Place: TERRY PIERSON, THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG

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The El Dorado Fire is reflected in the glasses of an Arroyo Grande Hotshots firefighter as he watches a back fire burn at Carter Street and Bears Den Ranch Road in Yucaipa on Sunday, September 6, 2020.

Second Place: TERRY PIERSON, THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG

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Pastor Brian Hawkins with his children Emmanuel Hawkins, 7, left, who has attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and Naariah Fort, 8, is one of the local plaintiffs in a lawsuit challenging state regulations limiting in-person instruction in California schools due to the pandemic in San Jacinto on Friday, July 31, 2020.

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Third Place: KENT NISHIMURA, LOS ANGELES TIMES

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LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 21: Dancers Coco, Ono (Kayla Tange), Kitty (Kelly Vittetoe) , Danielle (Danielle Henderson), and Reagan (Megan Rippey) pose for a portrait in front of Jumbo's Clown Room on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020 in Los Angeles, CA.

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Honorable Mention: JAY L. CLENDENIN, LOS ANGELES TIMES

LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 17: Maurice Harris, a visual artist with a show on the streaming service Quibi, called “Centerpiece,” showcasing his floral artistry, is photographed at his storefront, Bloom and Plume , in Los Angeles, CA, on Friday, July 17, 2020.

Honorable Mention: Mel Melcon, LOS ANGELES TIMES

BEL AIR, CA -JULY 30, 2020: TikTok influencer Noah Beck is photographed at his home in Bel Air. He used to regularly post videos on TikTok, but due to concerns over how the app manages his user data, is now encouraging his fans to follow him on Triller. Beck joined Triller as an advisor and holds equity in the company.

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Pictorial

A new category for 2020: A graphic image that expresses beauty, tension and other abstract concepts through composition and tonal and color relationships more than through human interaction.

First Place: WILL LESTER, INLAND VALLEY DAILY BULLETIN

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Firefighters work to save homes in the 39400 block of Canyon Drive in Forest Falls Wednesday afternoon Sept. 9, 2020 as Santa Ana winds pushed flames from the El Dorado fire up the canyon towards the mountain town. At least a half dozen homes were under immediate threat but were saved by firefighters.

Second Place: JAY L. CLENDENIN, LOS ANGELES TIMES

Sunset life, around the Tim Kelly surf statue in Hermosa Beach, CA., July 15, 2020.

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Third Place: RINGO CHIU, FREELANCE

A mouse runs as flames flare at the Apple Fire in Cherry Valley, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020.

Honorable Mention: KENT NISHIMURA, LOS ANGELES TIMES

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SHAVER LAKE, CA - SEPTEMBER 06: Firefighters conduct a backbrun operation along CA-168 during the Creek Fire as it approaches the Shaver Lake Marina on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020 in Shaver Lake, CA.

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Spot News

First Place: KEITH BIRMINGHAM, PASADENA STAR-NEWS

A Trump supporter, right, punches a Black Lives Matter supporter during a rally by between Black Lives Matter and Pro-Trump supporters along Foothill Blvd between the Albertsons and In-N-Out Burger in Tujunga on Friday, August 14, 2020.

Second Place: THOMAS R CORDOVA, LONG BEACH POST

A burglary suspect celebrates his giant leap from one rooftop to another as Long Beach SWAT looks on at Alamitos Beach rooftops in Long Beach Tuesday, July 14, 2020. Long Beach police spent hours trying to convince a burglary suspect to come down from rooftops where he was evading officers. Officers began speaking with the suspect in an effort to have him come down but he refused, LBPD Officer Ivan Garcia said.

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Third Place: KENT NISHIMURA, LOS ANGELES TIMES

SANTA ROSA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: Wildlife is seen running into an engulfed Skyhawk Park as firefighters battle the Shady Fire as it makes its way towards homes along Mountain Hawk Drive in Skyhawk Park on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020 in Santa Rosa, CA.

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Honorable Mention: RINGO CHIU, FREELANCE

A firefighter stands next to a fire truck as flames from a brush fire flare at the Apple Fire in Cherry Valley, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020.

Honorable Mention: KENT NISHIMURA, LOS ANGELES TIMES

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SHAVER LAKE, CA - SEPTEMBER 06: Firefighter Ricardo Gomez, of a Cal Fire engine from Bradley, takes part in conducting a back burn operation along CA-168 during the Creek Fire as it approaches the Shaver Lake Marina on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020 in Shaver Lake, CA.

Honorable Mention: TERRY PIERSON, THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG

CAL FIRE copter 301 makes a water drop over CAL FIRE/Riverside County firefighters as they battle the Tim Fire burning in the hills west of Redlands Blvd and south of San Timoteo Canyon Road in Moreno Valley on Friday, August 21, 2020.

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Entertainment

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First Place: JAY L. CLENDENIN, LOS ANGELES TIMES

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HOLLYWOOD, CA - JULY 29: International pop star Katy Perry takes a selfie with a billboard promoting her new album “Smile,” near her record label Capitol Records, in Hollywood, CA, Wednesday, July 29, 2020, This is Perry’s Sixth studio album.

Second Place: JAY L. CLENDENIN, LOS ANGELES TIMES

Following the death of the young actor, a new mural by Los Angeles artist Shane Grammer, titled, “Wakanda Forever in Memory of Chadwick Boseman,” is up in the Arts District of Downtown L.A., which has also become home to a growing number of marijuana businesses, like the one being promoted by this man and his sign.

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Third Place: JAY L. CLENDENIN, LOS ANGELES TIMES

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - SEPTEMBER 18: Sophia Abraham,11, reaches for a “brunch box” from a Beverly Hilton Hotel employee, as she finishes up event producer Debbie Durkin's “ECOLUXE Lounge, ’Drive-Thru' Endless Summer Festival,” ahead of the weekend’s 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards, in the Beverly Hilton Hotel driveway in Beverly Hills, CA, Friday, Sept. 18, 2020. A collection of sponsors provided a variety of products, from canned water, to pet products from John Paul DeJoria, to nominees, and entertainment industry types, including social media influencers.

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Sports Features

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First Place: GINA FERAZZI, LOS ANGELES TIMES

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LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 8, 2020: Season ticket holder Keith Hupp, left, and David Lopez, right, watch the Dodgers play the San Francisco Giants from a far overlook spot because of the coronavirus pandemic in Elysian Park on August 8, 2020 in Los Angeles, CA. They are listening to the game on the radio since they are too far away to hear the sounds form the game. No fans are allowed in the stadium.

Second Place: KEITH BIRMINGHAM, PASADENA STAR-NEWS

Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants kneel during the National Anthem in a show of support for Black Lives Matter prior to a MLB baseball game on Opening Day at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Thursday, July 23, 2020.

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Third Place: TERRY PIERSON, THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG

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Janice Lenderman, 27, of Riverside works out on a station bike at 24 Hour Fitness Riverside Madison Street location as it reopens today in Riverside on Wednesday, September 23, 2020.

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Sports Action

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First Place: KEITH BIRMINGHAM, PASADENA STAR-NEWS

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Wide receiver Josh Reynolds #11 of the Los Angeles Rams can’t hold to a pass over cornerback Darious Williams #31 of the Los Angeles Rams in the first half of a scrimmage football game at Sofi Stadium in Inglewood on Saturday, August 22, 2020.

Second Place: RINGO CHIU, FREELANCE

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Los Angeles FC midfielder Jose Cifuentes (11) of Ecuador, kicks the ball against San Jose Earthquakes defender Tanner Beason (15) during the first half of a Major League Soccer match in Los Angeles, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020.

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Third Place: Katharine Lotze, GETTY

HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIFORNIA - JULY 13: Chiasa Maruyama surfs wave near the Huntington Beach Pier on July 13, 2020 in Huntington Beach, California.

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Honorable Mention: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

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Honorable Mention: TERRY PIERSON, THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG

Wide receiver Kies Furraj,15, right is hit from left by Chirstian Wilson, 15, and Josh Arias, 15, all of Riverside as they play seven on seven touch football in the heat of the afternoon on the 4th of July weekend at Andulka Park in Riverside on Friday, July 3, 2020.

Honorable Mention: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Aug 10, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado (13) doubles past a diving Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts (50) in the third inning of the game at Dodger Stadium.

Honorable Mention: WILL LESTER, INLAND VALLEY DAILY BULLETIN

A cowboy is dragged behind a horse during the Wild Horse Race/Extreme Bronc Riding event at the 133rd Prescott Frontier Days Rodeo in Prescott, Arizona Saturday July 4, 2020. The rodeo, the longest running in the world, continued on despite the coronavirus pandemic with fan capacity limited to 25 percent at the venue.

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Judge’s Notes & Bio

FEATURE

First Place:  Excellent moment. Images that make you feel are often found in the reaction to the action

Second Place: Excellent seeing, composition, repetitive shapes and moment. 

Third Place:  Beautiful contrast in color. A newsworthy moment behind the scenes that capture the wildfire battle.

HM:   Nice moment, peak action and good composition.

HM:    For a kid feature this one is pretty nice. The white hoodie on the left really pull’s your eye away from the main focal point, Watch your frame, background and what may distract the viewer.

HM:   Nice quiet moment as wildfires explode in the distance. Photographer could have gotten lower for more impact.

PORTRAIT

First Place:  Excellent seeing. The warmth of the image along with the reflection of the fire gives this image its power. A true wall hanger.

Second Place: Beautifully lit, composed and the strength in their faces brings this portrait to life.  

Third Place:  This portrait captures a fantastic sub-culture rarely seen in the daytime. visually intriguing.

HM: A fun technique to capture a portrait.

HM: Beautiful color, composition and thought went into this portrait. An easy choice for a magazine cover.

ENTERTAINMENT

First Place: Excellent moment with high quality light and juxtaposition..  

Second Place:  Fun seeing and composition.

Third Place: Surprise moment with great off-camera strobe light. This image required good thinking on the photographers part.

GENERAL NEWS

First Place:  Few images can compare to the raw emotion streaming through medical masks at the memorial of a murdered son. A powerful touching moment.

Second Place: Not all great emotion is full of sadness and grief. The power of the spirt and the joy of life are both powerful and full of hope. (Good images have nice light, composition or moment but great images have all three and evoke emotion in the viewer).

Third Place: As the greatest generation fades away, the tears of a 101 year-old veteran connects us all to the sacrifices of WWII. Strong emotion and interaction.

HM:  Interaction between a human and a penguin draws upon our relationship with nature. Like a prisoner outside the prison walls, the penguin gets to see what all those zoo visitors see. This quiet image has nice light, interaction and a powerful moment.

HM:  This image holds a lot of depth with foreground silhouetted salutes, leading lines, emotion, moment and newsworthy-ness. With ink space at a premium, having images that tell the whole story have become even more valuable.

HM:  Political division has pushed many people on both sides beyond civility. This image is a striking moment that captures the discourse in the U.S. The palm tree coming out oh her head doesn’t help this image. Watch your backgrounds even in the heat of the moment.

PICTORIAL

Additional Note: I moved a couple images from other categories into the pictorial category because the images were such strong images with pictorial qualities, but they did not hold up in the other category.

First Place: Could hang on any firehouse wall in the world. The colorful tones and access of the photographer bring an intimacy to the image.

Second Place: Silhouettes need to be near perfect to have impact. This one is telling many stories in one image with beautiful tones and interaction.

Third Place: This image is super clean, powerful, urgent and surprising. fantastic seeing.

HM: A spectacular, eerie scene that brings strong emotion to the viewer. It lacks a dominant focal point which gives it a pictorial feel.

SPORTS ACTION

First Place: Great peak action, tight crop and capturing the intensity of the moment.

Second Place: This image could have placed first place with a more powerful VERTICAL crop. The white jersey on the right and top draws the eyes attention away from the focal point which is the face of the athlete. Keep it tight.

Third Place: Solid peak action with athletic intensity.

HM: Great moment with ball and superman air. Clean background.

HM: Solid Jubilation, composition and clean background.

HM: Nice peak moment with depth and a nice sky. Could have used a tighter (longer) crop.

HM: Nice feature like sports moment. But could have used a tighter crop (Crop out the guy on the left).

SPORTS FEATURE

First Place: A lovely, surprising moment during the times of Covid-19.

Second Place: Highly newsworthy vision of a vacant Dodger stadium.

Third Place: Fun color and composition.

SPOT NEWS

This category was FULL if outstanding images. Many of which could easily be winners.  Great images of the fires.  Many of the images that did NOT place were quiet, less urgent and in some cases distant.

First Place:  This is an iconic image of the political discourse of the 2020 election season. Photographer was inside the huddle at the right place at the right time. Well done.

Second Place:  Spot news requires a photographer to be in the action. Seeing a swat team laugh at at an assailant on the run is as close to the action as you can get. Great hustle and position. Maybe even a little lucky.

Third Place:  Putting yourself in a the path of an oncoming wildfire takes guts and capturing the urgency of deer on the run can make it all worth it.

HM: This image has the making of a painting. A wall hanger. Great effort getting in with the firefighters.

HM: This powerful image captures a sole firefighter on guard before ominous billowing flames giving great perspective and griping composition.

HM: Incredible imagery capturing flames, firefighters and an helicopter drop through the smoke. An image that captures many images. So much to look at. Well done.

Meet our judge, Barry ‘Bear’ Gutierrez

Barry “Bear” Gutierrez is a Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer based in Denver, Colorado, who has built a business around his talent and reputation in the photography industry.

Bear has helped companies build their brands through powerful visuals since 2009. With a foundation in photojournalism, Bear provides a dynamic array of photography for businesses and agencies that include advertising campaigns, marketing roll-outs, annual reports, executive and creative portraits.

Some notable experiences include shooting a portrait of President Obama in 2008 during his historic election run, along with six other presidents. The 2007 World Series, Ad campaigns for U.S. Tennis Association-Colorado. Craig Hospital, Centura Health and Kaiser Permanente, Multiple art gallery installations at DIA, Wellington Web Building and Multiple Denver Libraries, a gay rodeo in Colorado, the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Princess Diana’s funeral in London, culture in Morocco, and prickly pear cactus farmers in Guadalajara. Gutierrez has traveled to 49 states and 19 countries.

Prior to launching his company in 2009, he worked as a staff photographer at the Rocky Mountain News in Denver for 10 years after earning a bachelor’s degree in Western Kentucky University’s premier photojournalism program. In 2012 he was published on the front pages on more than 100 newspapers, magazines, and websites across the globe for his coverage of the Aurora Theater shootings. Gutierrez lives in Denver with his wife, Fairlight, and his ten year-old son, Sol.

Photography is his passion—he coaches at workshops, speaks at events, teaches classes, and mentors photographers.

Editorial Clients & Publishing of note

The Associated Press, European Press Photo Agency, Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Rocky Mountain News, San Jose Mercury News, Philadelphia Inquirer, National Geographic Travel, Sports Illustrated.

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2020 Qtr. 3 Photo Stories

Barry ‘Bear’ Gutierrez, Quarter 3 Judge

“1st Place: Excellent story telling incorporating great coverage of the fires and strong emotion. The helicopter flying into the sunset should have been the closer. Tighter shots of faces and intimacy would take this package to the next level.

 2nd Place: Captures a strong microcosm of our country's political struggles with intimacy, emotion and quick thinking.

3rd Place: Powerful Images with surprising moments. Excellent coverage of the fires, but has duplicate images of the mini-van, and could use more faces and was edged out of first because of the lack of emotion and intimacy.

Honorable Mention

California Ablaze:  Great coverage of the fires, but lacks faces and intimacy. “Show me how it feels not how it looks” Some powerful singles

Mission Fire:  There were a few nice images in this package, but eight of the 12 images were details of burned logs, the backs of firefighters and a sign. ‘Show me how it feels not how it looks.’ The photographer has potential, but needs to work on composition, light and story telling. A photo story has a beginning , middle and end. A photo story challenges the viewer to follow a narrative with visual variety (tight, medium, wide), emotion, good composition, light and a general story line.   (a true photo story would follow the Perish Priest for a week or longer and capture moments of sorrow, grief, frustration recovery, hope….etc….”

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First Place: TERRY PIERSON, THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG

Arroyo Grande Hotshots are silhouetted as they watch a backfire at Carter Street and Bears Den Ranch Road in Yucaipa on Sunday, September 6, 2020.

An air tanker makes a retardant drop behind homes near the San Bernardino National Forest fighting the El Dorado Fire as it burns more than 1,500 acres in Oak Glen and Yucaipa on Saturday, September 5, 2020.

A basketball player stops shooting hoops at Yucaipa Community Park to watch as a DC-10 tanker flies over head to make a retardant drop on the El Dorado Fire as it burns close to homes in triple digit heat, wind gusts and low visibility in Yucaipa on Sunday, September 6, 2020.

Home owners use everything they have to battle the El Dorado Fire as it burns up to their homes on Kevari Court in triple digit heat, high wind gusts and low visibility in Yucaipa on Sunday, September 6, 2020.

Residents run from the flames of the El Dorado Fire as it tops the hill behind a home on Kevari Court in triple digit heat with high wind gusts and low visibility in Yucaipa on Sunday, September 6, 2020.

Trevor Hoover and Roland Hoover use a rake and a garden hose to try and put out the El Dorado Fire brining on property Jefferson Street as triple digit heat, high wind gusts and low visibility limited air attack in Yucaipa on Sunday, September 6, 2020.

Family members comfort one another as the El Dorado Fire moves closer to their home at Ivy Avenue and Jefferson Street as triple digit heat, high wind gusts and low visibility limited air attack in Yucaipa on Sunday, September 6, 2020.

An Arroyo Grande Hotshots firefighter starts a back fire at Carter Street and Bears Den Ranch Road to burn into the El Dorado Fire in Yucaipa on Sunday, September 6, 2020.

A water dropping helicopter is silhouetted as it heads back to refill for another drop on the El Dorado Fire as the sun sets in the heavy smoke in Yucaipa on Sunday, September 6, 2020.

Family members watch as the body of a firefighter killed fighting the El Dorado fire is walked into the San Bernardino County Coroner’s Office by San Bernardino Sheriff’s Honor Guards in San Bernardino on Friday, September 18, 2020.

Firefighters react after a firefighter died fighting the El Dorado fire before the firefighters body arrives at the San Bernardino County Coroner’s Office in San Bernardino on Friday, September 18, 2020.

U.S. Forest Service Big Bear Hotshot Charles Morton was killed in the line of duty on Sept. 17 fighting the El Dorado Fire. Firefighters salute as Morton’s fiancee, Monica Tapia carries his urn during his memorial service at The Rock Church in San Bernardino on Friday, Sept. 25, 2020.

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Second Place: KEITH BIRMINGHAM, PASADENA STAR-NEWS

BLM v. Trump Rally

A Trump supporter, right, punches a Black Lives Matter supporter during a rally by between Black Lives Matter and Pro-Trump supporters along Foothill Blvd between the Albertsons and In-N-Out Burger in Tujunga on Friday, August 14, 2020.

Trump supporters fight with Black Lives Matter protestors during a rally by between Black Lives Matter and Pro-Trump supporters along Foothill Blvd between the Albertsons and In-N-Out Burger in Tujunga on Friday, August 14, 2020.

A Black Lives matter supporter is treated after being maced during a rally by between Black Lives Matter and Pro-Trump supporters along Foothill Blvd between the Albertsons and In-N-Out Burger in Tujunga on Friday, August 14, 2020.

Trump supporters clash with Black Lives Matter protesters along Foothill Blvd between the Albertsons and In-N-Out Burger in Tujunga on Friday, August 14, 2020.

A Protestors carries an axe and blades during a rally by between Black Lives Matter and Pro-Trump supporters along Foothill Blvd between the Albertsons and In-N-Out Burger in Tujunga on Friday, August 14, 2020.

Trump supporters fight with Black Lives Matter protestors during a rally by between Black Lives Matter and Pro-Trump supporters along Foothill Blvd between the Albertsons and In-N-Out Burger in Tujunga on Friday, August 14, 2020.

A protestors is treated during a rally by between Black Lives Matter and Pro-Trump supporters along Foothill Blvd between the Albertsons and In-N-Out Burger in Tujunga on Friday, August 14, 2020.

Trump supporters chant toward Black Lives Matter protestors during a rally by between Black Lives Matter and Pro-Trump supporters along Foothill Blvd between the Albertsons and In-N-Out Burger in Tujunga on Friday, August 14, 2020.

Trump supporters fight with Black Lives Matter protestors during a rally by between Black Lives Matter and Pro-Trump supporters along Foothill Blvd between the Albertsons and In-N-Out Burger in Tujunga on Friday, August 14, 2020.

Rally by between Black Lives Matter and Pro-Trump supporters along Foothill Blvd between the Albertsons and In-N-Out Burger in Tujunga on Friday, August 14, 2020.

Moments after a fight between these two protestors the Blacks Lives Matter protester, left, helps a Trump supporter after during a rally by between Black Lives Matter and Pro-Trump supporters along Foothill Blvd between the Albertsons and In-N-Out Burger in Tujunga on Friday, August 14, 2020.

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Third place: RINGO CHIU, FREELANCE

The Apple Fire

Diane Brickley comes back home to take care her goats after evacuated as a brush fire burns nearby at the Apple Fire in Cherry Valley, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020.

A brush fire burns a car at the Apple Fire in Cherry Valley, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020.

A mouse runs as flames flare at the Apple Fire in Cherry Valley, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020.

A firefighter stands next to a fire truck as flames from a brush fire flare at the Apple Fire in Cherry Valley, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020.

An air tanker drops fire retardant to the Apple Fire in Cherry Valley, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020.

A firefighter battles a brush fire at the Apple Fire in Cherry Valley, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020.

A firefighter battles a brush fire at the Apple Fire in Cherry Valley, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020.

A firefighter watches as a helicopter drops water to the Apple Fire in Banning, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020.

Firefighters keep watch a brush fire at the Apple Fire in Banning, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020.

A burned car is seen as smoke rises from a brush fire at the Apple Fire in Cherry Valley, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020.

Hand crew lines up at the Apple Fire in Cherry Valley, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020.

A firefighter watches a brush fire at the Apple Fire in Cherry Valley, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020.

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Honorable Mention

KEITH BIRMINGHAM, PASADENA STAR-NEWS

Mission Fire

San Gabriel Fire Dept. Firefighter Jacob Gustafson looks on as foam is put on the roof after a four-alarm fire tore through the church at Mission San Gabriel destroying the inside of the 245-year-old building in San Gabriel on Saturday, July 11, 2020.

The alter still stands after a four-alarm fire tore through the church at Mission San Gabriel destroying the inside of the 245-year-old building in San Gabriel on Saturday, July 11, 2020.

Bishop David O’Connell after a four-alarm fire tore through the church at Mission San Gabriel destroying the inside of the 245-year-old building in San Gabriel on Saturday, July 11, 2020.

A firefighter looks over damage as a four-alarm fire tore through the church at Mission San Gabriel destroying the inside of the 245-year-old building in San Gabriel on Saturday, July 11, 2020.

The Marquez family of Los angeles prays after a four-alarm fire tore through the church at Mission San Gabriel destroying the inside of the 245-year-old building in San Gabriel on Saturday, July 11, 2020.

Four-alarm fire tore through the church at Mission San Gabriel destroying the inside of the 245-year-old building in San Gabriel on Saturday, July 11, 2020.

A woman is overcome with emotion after a four-alarm fire tore through the church at Mission San Gabriel destroying the inside of the 245-year-old building in San Gabriel on Saturday, July 11, 2020.

A man walks out of the church after a four-alarm fire tore through the church at Mission San Gabriel destroying the inside of the 245-year-old building in San Gabriel on Saturday, July 11, 2020.

The bells atop the church still stand after a four-alarm fire tore through the church at Mission San Gabriel destroying the inside of the 245-year-old building in San Gabriel on Saturday, July 11, 2020.

San Gabriel Fire Dept. Firefighter Jacob Gustafson looks on as foam is put on the roof after a four-alarm fire tore through the church at Mission San Gabriel destroying the inside of the 245-year-old building in San Gabriel on Saturday, July 11, 2020.

Four-alarm fire tore through the church at Mission San Gabriel destroying the inside of the 245-year-old building in San Gabriel on Saturday, July 11, 2020.

Los Angeles Fire Dept. arson investigator with his dog walks past the church after a four-alarm fire tore through the church at Mission San Gabriel destroying the inside of the 245-year-old building in San Gabriel on Saturday, July 11, 2020.

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KENT NISHIMURA, LOS ANGELES TIMES

California Ablaze

BIG CREEK, CA - SEPTEMBER 06: The Laguna Hotshots Crew out of the Cleveland National Forest battle the Creek Fire as it approaches the Souther California Edison Big Creek Hydroelectric Plant on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020 in Big Creek, CA.

SANTA ROSA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: Wildlife is seen running into an engulfed Skyhawk Park as firefighters battle the Shady Fire as it makes its way towards homes along Mountain Hawk Drive in Skyhawk Park on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020 in Santa Rosa, CA.

BOULDER CREEK, CA - AUGUST 22: Smoke hangs low in the air at Big Basin Redwoods State Park as some redwoods are still on fire on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020 in Boulder Creek, CA. The CZU August Lightning complex fires tore through Big Basin Redwoods State Park, decimating the 118-year-old state park – California’s oldest.

BOULDER CREEK, CA - AUGUST 21: Supplies are unloaded from a Menlo Park truck at the Boulder Creek Volunteer Fire Department fire house during the CZU August Lightning Complex Fires on Friday, Aug. 21, 2020 in Boulder Creek, CA. The University of California at Santa Cruz campus and nearby towns have been under evacuation orders due to fires in the region.

SHAVER LAKE, CA - SEPTEMBER 06: Firefighter Ricardo Gomez, of a Cal Fire engine from Bradley, takes part in conducting a back burn operation along CA-168 during the Creek Fire as it approaches the Shaver Lake Marina on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020 in Shaver Lake, CA.

SHAVER LAKE, CA - SEPTEMBER 06: Firefighters conduct a back burn operation along CA-168 during the Creek Fire as it approaches the Shaver Lake Marina on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020 in Shaver Lake, CA.

FRESNO COUNTY, CA - SEPTEMBER 08: News photographers, as the Creek Fire jumps CA-168 on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020 in Fresno County, CA.

SANTA ROSA, CA - SEPTEMBER 27: Santa Rosa Fire Department Firefighters stand, watching the Shady Fire as it makes its way towards homes along Mountain Hawk Drive in Skyhawk Park on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020 in Santa Rosa, CA.

SHAVER LAKE, CA - SEPTEMBER 06: Firefighters conduct a back burn operation along CA-168 during the Creek Fire as it approaches the Shaver Lake Marina on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020 in Shaver Lake, CA.

DEER PARK, CA - SEPTEMBER 27: Firefighters from the Sacramento Fire Department take part in a firing operation near a property along Crystal Springs Road as firefighters work to contain the Glass Fire in Napa County on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020 in Deer Park, CA.

SHAVER LAKE, CA - SEPTEMBER 06: Firefighters conduct a backbrun operation along CA-168 during the Creek Fire as it approaches the Shaver Lake Marina on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020 in Shaver Lake, CA.

SHAVER LAKE, CA - SEPTEMBER 06: A vehicle streaks by in a long exposure as Fresno County Sheriff Deputy Jeffery Shipman stands along CA-168 as the Creek Fire creeps closer to town on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020 in Shaver Lake, CA.

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MEET OUR JUDGE, BARRY ‘BEAR’ GUTIERREZ

Barry “Bear” Gutierrez is a Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer based in Denver, Colorado, who has built a business around his talent and reputation in the photography industry.

Bear has helped companies build their brands through powerful visuals since 2009. With a foundation in photojournalism, Bear provides a dynamic array of photography for businesses and agencies that include advertising campaigns, marketing roll-outs, annual reports, executive and creative portraits.

Some notable experiences include shooting a portrait of President Obama in 2008 during his historic election run, along with six other presidents. The 2007 World Series, Ad campaigns for U.S. Tennis Association-Colorado. Craig Hospital, Centura Health and Kaiser Permanente, Multiple art gallery installations at DIA, Wellington Web Building and Multiple Denver Libraries, a gay rodeo in Colorado, the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Princess Diana’s funeral in London, culture in Morocco, and prickly pear cactus farmers in Guadalajara. Gutierrez has traveled to 49 states and 19 countries.

Prior to launching his company in 2009, he worked as a staff photographer at the Rocky Mountain News in Denver for 10 years after earning a bachelor’s degree in Western Kentucky University’s premier photojournalism program. In 2012 he was published on the front pages on more than 100 newspapers, magazines, and websites across the globe for his coverage of the Aurora Theater shootings. Gutierrez lives in Denver with his wife, Fairlight, and his ten year-old son, Sol.

Photography is his passion—he coaches at workshops, speaks at events, teaches classes, and mentors photographers.

Editorial Clients & Publishing of note

The Associated Press, European Press Photo Agency, Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Rocky Mountain News, San Jose Mercury News, Philadelphia Inquirer, National Geographic Travel, Sports Illustrated.