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Feature Photography

For a distinguished example of feature photography, which may be a single photograph or series of photographs of general news that may be taken over time and that illuminate a subject in great depth, Fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000).
Year
Winners
Finalists
2025

Moises Saman, contributor, The New Yorker

For his haunting black and white images of Sednaya prison in Syria that capture the traumatic legacy of Assad’s torture chambers, forcing viewers to confront the raw horrors faced by prisoners and contemplate the scars on society. (Moved by the jury from Breaking News Photography.)
Finalists:
Photography Staff of Associated Press
Lynsey Addario, contributor, The New York Times
Photography Staff of Associated Press

Lynsey Addario, contributor, The New York Times

2024

Photography Staff of Associated Press

For poignant photographs chronicling unprecedented masses of migrants and their arduous journey north from Colombia to the border of the United States.
Finalists:
Hannah Reyes Morales, contributor, The New York Times
Nanna Heitmann, contributor, The New York Times
Hannah Reyes Morales, contributor, The New York Times

Nanna Heitmann, contributor, The New York Times

2023

Christina House of the Los Angeles Times

For an intimate look into the life of a pregnant 22-year-old woman living on the street in a tent–images that show her emotional vulnerability as she tries and ultimately loses the struggle to raise her child.
Finalists:
Gabrielle Lurie and Stephen Lam of the San Francisco Chronicle
Photography Staff of Associated Press
Gabrielle Lurie and Stephen Lam of the San Francisco Chronicle

Photography Staff of Associated Press

2022

Adnan Abidi, Sanna Irshad Mattoo, Amit Dave and the late Danish Siddiqui of Reuters

For images of COVID’s toll in India that balanced intimacy and devastation, while offering viewers a heightened sense of place. (Moved from Breaking News Photography by the jury.)
Finalists:
Photography Staff of Reuters
Gabrielle Lurie of the San Francisco Chronicle
Photography Staff of Reuters

Gabrielle Lurie of the San Francisco Chronicle

2021

Emilio Morenatti of Associated Press

For a poignant series of photographs that takes viewers into the lives of the elderly in Spain struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Finalists:
Staff of Getty Images
Tyler Hicks of The New York Times
Staff of Getty Images

Tyler Hicks of The New York Times

2020

Channi Anand, Mukhtar Khan and Dar Yasin of Associated Press

For striking images captured during a communications blackout in Kashmir depicting life in the contested territory as India stripped it of its semi-autonomy.
Finalists:
Mary F. Calvert, freelance photographer
Erin Clark of The Boston Globe
Mary F. Calvert, freelance photographer

Erin Clark of The Boston Globe

2019

Lorenzo Tugnoli of The Washington Post

For brilliant photo storytelling of the tragic famine in Yemen, shown through images in which beauty and composure were intertwined with devastation. (Moved by the jury from Breaking News Photography, where it was originally entered.)
Finalists:
Craig F. Walker of The Boston Globe
Maggie Steber and Lynn Johnson of National Geographic
Craig F. Walker of The Boston Globe

Maggie Steber and Lynn Johnson of National Geographic

2018

Photography Staff of Reuters

For shocking photographs that exposed the world to the violence Rohingya refugees faced in fleeing Myanmar. (Moved by the Board from the Breaking News Photography category, where it was entered.)
Finalists:
Kevin Frayer, freelance photographer, Getty Images
Meridith Kohut, freelance photographer, The New York Times
Lisa Krantz of San Antonio Express-News
Kevin Frayer, freelance photographer, Getty Images

Meridith Kohut, freelance photographer, The New York Times

Lisa Krantz of San Antonio Express-News

2017

E. Jason Wambsgans of Chicago Tribune

For a superb portrayal of a 10-year-old boy and his mother striving to put the boy’s life back together after he survived a shooting in Chicago.
Finalists:
Katie Falkenberg of Los Angeles Times
Jake May of The Flint Journal, Flint, MI
Katie Falkenberg of Los Angeles Times

Jake May of The Flint Journal, Flint, MI

2016

Jessica Rinaldi of The Boston Globe

For the raw and revealing photographic story of a boy who strives to find his footing after abuse by those he trusted.
Finalists:
Jessica Rinaldi of The Boston Globe
Photography Staff of The Post and Courier, Charleston, SC
Jessica Rinaldi of The Boston Globe

Photography Staff of The Post and Courier, Charleston, SC

Bülent Kiliç of Agence France-Presse

Bob Owen, Jerry Lara and Lisa Krantz of San Antonio Express-News

2014

Josh Haner of The New York Times

For his moving essay on a Boston Marathon bomb blast victim who lost most of both legs and now is painfully rebuilding his life.
Finalists:
Lacy Atkins of San Francisco Chronicle
Michael Williamson of The Washington Post
Lacy Atkins of San Francisco Chronicle

Michael Williamson of The Washington Post

2013

Javier Manzano of Agence France-Presse

For his extraordinary picture, distributed by Agence France-Presse, of two Syrian rebel soldiers tensely guarding their position as beams of light stream through bullet holes in a nearby metal wall.
Finalists:
Liz O. Baylen of Los Angeles Times
Renée C. Byer of The Sacramento (CA) Bee
Liz O. Baylen of Los Angeles Times

Renée C. Byer of The Sacramento (CA) Bee

2012

Craig F. Walker of The Denver Post

For his compassionate chronicle of an honorably discharged veteran, home from Iraq and struggling with a severe case of post-traumatic stress, images that enable viewers to better grasp a national issue.
Finalists:
David Guttenfelder, Ng Han Guan and Rafael Wober of the Associated Press
Francine Orr of the Los Angeles Times
David Guttenfelder, Ng Han Guan and Rafael Wober of the Associated Press

Francine Orr of the Los Angeles Times

2011

Barbara Davidson of Los Angeles Times

For her intimate story of innocent victims trapped in the city's crossfire of deadly gang violence.
Finalists:
Todd Heisler of The New York Times
Greg Kahn of The Naples (Fla.) Daily News
Todd Heisler of The New York Times

Greg Kahn of The Naples (Fla.) Daily News

2010

Craig F. Walker of The Denver Post

For his intimate portrait of a teenager who joins the Army at the height of insurgent violence in Iraq, poignantly searching for meaning and manhood.
Finalists:
Mary F. Calvert
Robert Cohen of St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Mary F. Calvert

Robert Cohen of St. Louis Post-Dispatch

2009

Damon Winter of The New York Times

For his memorable array of pictures deftly capturing multiple facets of Barack Obama's presidential campaign.
Finalists:
Carol Guzy of The Washington Post
Sonya Hebert of The Dallas Morning News
Carol Guzy of The Washington Post

Sonya Hebert of The Dallas Morning News

2008

Preston Gannaway of Concord (NH) Monitor

For her intimate chronicle of a family coping with a parent's terminal illness.
Finalists:
David Guttenfelder of Associated Press
Mona Reeder of Dallas Morning News
David Guttenfelder of Associated Press

Mona Reeder of Dallas Morning News

2007

Renée C. Byer of The Sacramento Bee

For her intimate portrayal of a single mother and her young son as he loses his battle with cancer.
Finalists:
Mary F. Calvert of The Washington Times
Gary Coronado of Palm Beach Post
Mary F. Calvert of The Washington Times

Gary Coronado of Palm Beach Post

2006

Todd Heisler of Rocky Mountain News, Denver

For his haunting, behind-the-scenes look at funerals for Colorado Marines who return from Iraq in caskets.
Finalists:
Mike Stocker of South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Damon Winter of Los Angeles Times
Mike Stocker of South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Damon Winter of Los Angeles Times

2005

Deanne Fitzmaurice of San Francisco Chronicle

For her sensitive photo essay on an Oakland hospital's effort to mend an Iraqi boy nearly killed by an explosion.
Finalists:
Jim Gehrz of The Star Tribune, Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN
Luis Sinco of Los Angeles Times
Jim Gehrz of The Star Tribune, Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN

Luis Sinco of Los Angeles Times

2004

Carolyn Cole of Los Angeles Times

For her cohesive, behind-the-scenes look at the effects of civil war in Liberia, with special attention to innocent citizens caught in the conflict.
Finalists:
Pauline Lubens, Dai Sugano and Patrick Tehan of The Mercury News, San Jose, CA
Damir Sagolj of Reuters
Pauline Lubens, Dai Sugano and Patrick Tehan of The Mercury News, San Jose, CA

Damir Sagolj of Reuters

2003

Don Bartletti of Los Angeles Times

For his memorable portrayal of how undocumented Central American youths, often facing deadly danger, travel north to the United States.
Finalists:
Matt Black of Los Angeles Times
Brad Clift of Hartford Courant
Matt Black of Los Angeles Times

Brad Clift of Hartford Courant

2002

Staff of The New York Times

For its photographs chronicling the pain and the perseverance of people enduring protracted conflict in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Finalists:
J. Albert Diaz of The Miami Herald
Mike Stocker, A. Enrique Valentin and Hilda M. Perez of Sun-Sentinel
J. Albert Diaz of The Miami Herald

Mike Stocker, A. Enrique Valentin and Hilda M. Perez of Sun-Sentinel

2001

Matt Rainey of The Star-Ledger, Newark, NJ

For his emotional photographs that illustrate the care and recovery of two students critically burned in a dormitory fire at Seton Hall University.
Finalists:
David Guttenfelder of Associated Press
Marc Piscotty of Rocky Mountain News, Denver, CO
David Guttenfelder of Associated Press

Marc Piscotty of Rocky Mountain News, Denver, CO

Nuri Vallbona and Candace Barbot of The Miami Herald

Photo Staff of Worcester (MA) Telegram & Gazette

1999

Photo Staff of Associated Press

For its striking collection of photographs of the key players and events stemming from President Clinton's affair with Monica Lewinsky and the ensuing impeachment hearings.
Finalists:
Daniel A. Anderson of Orange County Register
Bill Greene of The Boston Globe
Daniel A. Anderson of Orange County Register

Bill Greene of The Boston Globe

1998

Clarence Williams of Los Angeles Times

For his powerful images documenting the plight of young children with parents addicted to alcohol and drugs.
Finalists:
Allan Detrich of Block News Alliance
Joseph V. Stefanchik of The Dallas Morning News
Allan Detrich of Block News Alliance

Joseph V. Stefanchik of The Dallas Morning News

1997

Alexander Zemlianichenko of Associated Press

For his photograph of Russian President Boris Yeltsin dancing at a rock concert during his campaign for re-election. (Moved by the Board from the Spot News Photography category.)
Finalists:
Jeffrey L. Brown of Copley Chicago Newspapers
Jon Kral of The Miami Herald
Michele McDonald of The Boston Globe
Jeffrey L. Brown of Copley Chicago Newspapers

Jon Kral of The Miami Herald

Michele McDonald of The Boston Globe

1996

Stephanie Welsh

For her shocking sequence of photos, published by Newhouse News Service, of a female circumcision rite in Kenya.
Finalists:
Stan Grossfeld of The Boston Globe
David C. Turnley of Detroit Free Press
Stan Grossfeld of The Boston Globe

David C. Turnley of Detroit Free Press

1995

Staff of Associated Press

For its portfolio of photographs chronicling the horror and devastation in Rwanda.
Finalists:
Carl Bower of Newhouse News Service
Staff of Long Beach (CA) Press-Telegram
Carl Bower of Newhouse News Service

Staff of Long Beach (CA) Press-Telegram

1994

Kevin Carter, a free-lance photographer

For a picture first published in The New York Times of a starving Sudanese girl who collapsed on her way to a feeding center while a vulture waited nearby.
Finalists:
Stan Grossfeld of The Boston Globe
April Saul of The Philadelphia Inquirer
Staff of Associated Press
Stan Grossfeld of The Boston Globe

April Saul of The Philadelphia Inquirer

Staff of Associated Press

1993

Staff of Associated Press

For its portfolio of images drawn from the 1992 presidential campaign.
Finalists:
Yunghi Kim of The Boston Globe
Staff of Associated Press
Yunghi Kim of The Boston Globe

Staff of Associated Press

1992

John Kaplan of Block Newspapers, Toledo, OH

For his photographs depicting the diverse lifestyles of seven 21-year-olds across the United States.
Finalists:
Paul Kuroda of Orange County Register, Santa Ana, CA
Bill Snead of The Washington Post
Paul Kuroda of Orange County Register, Santa Ana, CA

Bill Snead of The Washington Post

1991

William Snyder of The Dallas Morning News

For his photographs of ill and orphaned children living in subhuman conditions in Romania.
Finalists:
Ron Cortes of The Philadelphia Inquirer
Jay Mather of The Sacramento Bee
Ron Cortes of The Philadelphia Inquirer

Jay Mather of The Sacramento Bee

Stormi Greener of Star Tribune, Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN

John Tlumacki of The Boston Globe

Robert Hallinen, Erik Hill and Paul Souders of Anchorage Daily News

1989

Manny Crisostomo of Detroit Free Press

For his series of photographs. depicting student life at Southwestern High School in Detroit.
Finalists:
Donna Bagby of Dallas Times Herald
Frederic Larson of San Francisco Chronicle
Donna Bagby of Dallas Times Herald

Frederic Larson of San Francisco Chronicle

1988

Michel du Cille of The Miami Herald

For photographs portraying the decay and subsequent rehabilitation of a housing project overrun by the drug crack.
Finalists:
George Widman of Associated Press
Barbara J. Ries of USA Today
George Widman of Associated Press

Barbara J. Ries of USA Today

1987

David Peterson of Des Moines Register

For his photographs depicting the shattered dreams of American farmers.
Finalists:
Cheryl Nuss of San Jose (CA) Mercury News
April Saul-Zerby of The Philadelphia Inquirer
Cheryl Nuss of San Jose (CA) Mercury News

April Saul-Zerby of The Philadelphia Inquirer

David J. Leeson of The Dallas Morning News

Michael S. Wirtz of Dallas Times Herald

1985

Larry C. Price of The Philadelphia Inquirer

For his series of photographs from Angola and El Salvador depicting their war-torn inhabitants.

Stan Grossfeld of The Boston Globe

For his series of photographs of the famine in Ethiopia and for his pictures of illegal aliens on the Mexican border.
Finalists:
Stormi Greener of Minneapolis Star and Tribune
Sebastiao Salgado Jr. of Magnum Photos, Paris (published in The New York Times)
Stormi Greener of Minneapolis Star and Tribune

Sebastiao Salgado Jr. of Magnum Photos, Paris (published in The New York Times)

1984

Anthony Suau of The Denver Post

For a series of photographs which depict the tragic effects of starvation in Ethiopia and for a single photograph of a woman at her husband's gravesite on Memorial Day.
Finalists:
Stan Grossfeld of The Boston Globe
David Woo of The Dallas Morning News
Stan Grossfeld of The Boston Globe

David Woo of The Dallas Morning News

1983

James B. Dickman of Dallas Times Herald

For his telling photographs of life and death in El Salvador.
Finalists:
Barron Ludlum of Dallas Times Herald
John H. White of Chicago Sun-Times
Barron Ludlum of Dallas Times Herald

John H. White of Chicago Sun-Times

Ellis C. Reed of San Francisco Examiner

Walter C. Stricklin of The Florida Times-Union

Paul Beaver of Jackson (MS) Clarion-Ledger

Michael C. Hayman of Flint (MI) Journal

David A. Kryszak of The Detroit News

John J. Sunderland of The Denver Post

1979

Staff Photographers of Boston Herald American

For photographic coverage of the blizzard of 1978.
Finalists:
1978

J. Ross Baughman of Associated Press

For three photographs from guerrilla areas in Rhodesia.
Finalists:
1977

Robin Hood of Chattanooga News-Free Press

For his photograph of a disabled veteran and his child at an Armed Forces Day parade.
Finalists:
1976

Photographic Staff of Louisville Courier-Journal and Times

For a comprehensive pictorial report on busing in Louisville's schools.
Finalists:
1975

Matthew Lewis of The Washington Post

For his photographs in color and black and white.
Finalists:
1974

Slava Veder of Associated Press

For his picture of the return of an American prisoner of war from captivity in North Vietnam.
Finalists:
1973

Brian Lanker of Topeka Capital-Journal

For his sequence on child birth, as exemplified by his photograph, "Moment of Life."
Finalists:
1972

David Hume Kennerly of United Press International

For his dramatic photographs of the Vietnam War in 1971.
Finalists:
1971

Jack Dykinga of Chicago Sun-Times

For his dramatic and sensitive photographs at the Lincoln and Dixon State Schools for the Retarded in Illinois.
Finalists:
1970

Dallas Kinney of Palm Beach Post, West Palm Beach, FL

For his portfolio of pictures of Florida migrant workers, "Migration to Misery."
Finalists:
1969

Moneta Sleet Jr. of Ebony Magazine

For his photograph of Martin Luther King Jr.'s widow and child, taken at Dr. King's funeral.
Finalists:
1968

Toshio Sakai of United Press International

For his Vietnam War combat photograph, "Dreams of Better Times."
Finalists:
Breaking News Photography
Drama