Baker, Kattar, Win Top WHNPA TV Contest Titles
WASHINGTON, DC (February 13, 2007) – The White House News Photographers Association announced this week that ITN photographer Dai Baker has been awarded 2007 Video Photographer of the Year in the “Eyes of History” video competition, and that Pierre Kattar of washingtonpost.com has been named the 2007 Video Editor of the Year.
This is the third year in a row that Baker, who has worked for ITN for 13 years, has won top honors in the annual contest. Baker’s photography in the 2007 competition included a first place win on a piece from the Detroit Auto Show and another first place on the Border Patrol.
Kattar has won first prizes in the WHNPA competition in past years, but this is his first time as the winner of Video Editor of the Year. Kattar was a volunteer at the contest and the judges were able to personally deliver the news of his win.
“I truly feel fortunate to tell stories for a living and I’m honored to be recognized among such talented colleagues,” Kattar said.
A complete list of winners in the television photograph and television editing categories is available on the WHNPA’s Web site.
“Our members have the ability to evolve and use the tools enabled by the changing technology of the news profession,” said WHNPA president Dennis Brack. “Baker and Kattar are accomplished journalists who embrace this technology and use it to share their results with people all over the globe.”
The 86-year-old White House News Photographers Association is recognized as one of the most prestigious organizations of its kind. The 2007 competition was judged in the studios of the National Geographic Channel in Washington, DC.
The judges for the video photography were Stuart Clark, CNN, Atlanta; Neil Giurintano, WGNO-TV, New Orleans; and Andrea Korff, KYW-TV, Philadelphia. The judges for television editing were Simon Gribben, an Emmy-winning producer and editor; John Hyjek, NBC News, Atlanta; and Tom Fitzgerald, WDSU-TV, New Orleans.
The top winners of the still and television contests will be honored at the annual “Eyes of History” gala on April 28, 2007, at the Ritz-Carlton in Washington. The black-tie event celebrates all the winning photojournalists and the President of the United States. Nearly 1,000 guests, including government dignitaries, industry leaders and celebrities, traditionally attend.
The still photography competition was held at the National Geographic Society on January 28, 2007. Michael Robinson-Chavez of The Washington Post was named Photographer of the Year, and Chip Somodevilla was awarded “Political Photo of the Year.”
Read an earlier story about the WHNPA still contest winners.
NPPA Marketplace
- Insure Your Equipment
- You go where the action is….so should your insurance! Hays delivers comprehensive insurance for your gear - covering cameras, computers, editing equipment and rental.
- Join the NPPA
- NPPA members receive a wide range of benefits, from educational opportunities to mentoring, exclusive discounts, insurance options, business tips, and much more.