Kernel Photo Director Named Kentucky Student Photographer of the Year
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 26, 2016) — Michael Reaves, the Kentucky Kernel's photo director, has been named Kentucky Student Photographer of the Year.
Reaves won the award at the Kentucky News Photographers Association annual seminar and competition in Lexington Jan. 22-23. He will receive a Canon 70D camera and lens as the first place prize.
The student competition was open to currently enrolled students in Kentucky. Students from the University of Kentucky, Western Kentucky University, University of Louisville and Morehead State University competed.
Taylor Pence, the Kernel’s photo editor, also placed in several categories in the competition.
This is the first time since the inception of the student KNPA contest more than a decade ago that the portfolio competition has been won by a University of Kentucky student. The portfolio was a selection of images representing the best of Reaves’ work from 2015.
Reaves’ and Pence’s winning images included photos from UK football games, the Breeder’s Cup, campus events and internships.
Judges for the competition were:
- Jack Gruber, staff photojournalist with USA Today
- Amy Sancetta, staff photojournalist (retired) Associated Press
- Grover Sanschagrin, co-founder of Photoshelter and SportsShooter.com
Below are the individual awards won by Reaves and Pence:
Michael Reaves
- Student Photographer of the Year
- 1st place Pictorial
- 1st place Sports Action
- 2nd place Spot News
- 2nd place Sports Feature
- 3rd place Sports Feature
- 3rd place Illustration
- Honorable Mention Feature Picture
- Honorable Mention Sports Picture Story
Taylor Pence
- 1st place Illustration
- 2nd place Sports Action
- 3rd place Sports Picture Story
Click here to see sportscaster Dick Vitale's special message to Reaves.
MEDIA CONTACT: Blair Hoover, (859) 257-6398; blair.hoover@uky.edu