PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

2009 WPJA PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

CARLO CARLETTI,

ITALY

For the second time in three years Carlo Carletti of Italy has been honored with the prestigious WPJA Photographer of the Year (POY). Carletti is the first to win the title twice, having won it previously in 2006. In addition to the honor and a $1,000 grand prize, Carletti’s name, for the second time, will be permanently engraved on a traveling trophy, which he is to keep for one year.

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2008 WPJA PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

FRANCK BOUTONNET,

FRANCE

The WPJA is proud to honor Franck Boutonnet of Lyon, France as its 2008 Photographer of the Year. Along with this title, Franck received a $1,000 grand prize. His name will also be permanently engraved on the WPJA Traveling Trophy.

The first thing that makes Mr. Boutonnet's work stand-out is his ability to capture light within any environment with striking results either in black and white or vibrant color. Each composition also offers a multitude of layers, from the subject's emotional expression to the candid activity in the back- and foreground.

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2007 WPJA PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

BEN CHRISMAN,

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

The WPJA is pleased to announce Ben Chrisman as it's 2007 Photographer of the Year. In addition to this distinguished title, Ben also received a $1,000 grand prize and his name has been permanently engraved on the WPJA Traveling Trophy.

Growing up, Ben was surrounded by creativity, his mother immensely artistic and his aunt a wedding photographer. He knew from an early age that he, too, wanted to pursue a career in the visual arts. So, when the opportunity presented itself to work as high school yearbook photographer, he grabbed it.

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2006 WPJA PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

CARLO CARLETTI, ITALY

The WPJA is proud to honor Carlo Carletti as its 2006 Photographer of the Year. Along with this title, Carlo received a $1,000 grand prize. His name was also permanently engraved on the WPJA Traveling Trophy.

Carletti’s photojournalism career started in 1987, when he began freelance magazine and newspaper collaborations in Tuscany, Italy.

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2005 WPJA PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

HUY NGUYEN, TEXAS

The WPJA honored Huy Nguyen with its distinguished 2005 Photographer of the Year award. With this recognition, Huy received the $1,000 grand prize and his name was permanently engraved on the WPJA Traveling Trophy.

2004 WPJA PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

GARY ALLEN, N. CAROLINA

The WPJA proudly honors Gary Allen as 2004 Photographer of the Year. Along with this title, Gary received a $1,000 grand prize and his name is engraved permanently on the WPJA Traveling Trophy. Gary’s principal pride, however, is the recognition this award represents within distinguished WPJA company and the message it sends from a notable panel of photojournalism judges.

The award represents excellence within his photojournalism profession. “Winning the award is that much sweeter,” he said.

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2003 WPJA PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

ERIC FRANCIS, NEBRASKA

The WPJA is proud to honor Eric Francis as 2003 Photographer of the Year. Along with this title, Eric won the $1,000 grand prize and his name is engraved permanently on the WPJA Traveling Trophy.

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2002 WPJA PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

DAVID BECKSTEAD, WASHINGTON

David Beckstead earned the Wedding Photojournalist Association's first Photographer of the Year Award in 2002. What makes Beckstead unique are images that reflect an artistry that often requires the artist to test the edges of former photographic 'limits'. But the artistic leading edge of wedding photography is exactly where David Beckstead wants to be.

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