TORONTO, Feb. 18, 2015 /CNW/ - Marta Iwanek is this year's winner of the Tom Hanson Photojournalism Award, presented by The Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF) and The Canadian Press.
Iwanek, a previous award applicant currently on contract with the Toronto Star, will be joining The Canadian Press for a six-week internship.
"For young photojournalists starting their career, having this type of mentoring opportunity is an incredible gift," says Iwanek. "I hope to honour Tom's legacy of storytelling images and aspire to his same passion, work ethic and journalistic integrity that shaped his work."
The jury reviewed a number of submissions from early-career photojournalists before selecting Iwanek.
"I was impressed by the scope and depth of Marta's portfolio, and it was a privilege to get to know her through her photographs," says Heide Glorieux-Kaspar, a jury member and mother of the late Tom Hanson. "I was very much touched by the understanding and delicacy with which she approaches sensitive subjects, which in turn reminded me of photos Tom would have taken dealing with the human condition."
Iwanek is the sixth recipient of this award. View her portfolio.
"In reviewing portfolios for this award, the jury was not only looking for someone with a strong set of ready-to-print photos, but for an individual who had unique perspective, showed great potential and could still benefit from this award experience," says Graeme Roy, director of news photography at The Canadian Press. "And while winners are selected on merit, we are pleased when we help bolster the ranks of female photojournalists."
Iwanek will be presented with the award at the CJF Awards on June 3, 2015 at The Fairmont Royal York in Toronto.
Selection Committee
Catherine Hanson, spouse of Tom Hanson
Heide Glorieux-Kaspar, mother of Tom Hanson
Graeme Roy, director of news photography, The Canadian Press
Frank Gunn, national photographer, The Canadian Press
Fred Chartrand, freelance photographer and former national photographer, The Canadian Press
Tony Caldwell, photographer, Ottawa Sun
Domenic Macri, art director, Report on Business
Maureen Shaughnessy Kitts, vice-chair, The Canadian Journalism Foundation
This award is generously supported by Nikon.
About the Tom Hanson Photojournalism Award
The Canadian Journalism Foundation and The Canadian Press teamed up in 2009 to launch a new photojournalism award in memory of Tom Hanson, an award-winning photographer who travelled around the world and across the country, shooting some of the most iconic news and sports images of his time. The Tom Hanson Photojournalism Award offers a six-week paid internship at The Canadian Press head office in Toronto for a photojournalist in the early stages of his or her career.
SOURCE Canadian Journalism Foundation
Image with caption: "Marta Iwanek took this photo of Imani King, 10 and Izmael Brutus, 10, playing by the water and looking for fish and crabs in Chalkfarm Park in Toronto, August 19, 2014, for the Toronto Star. (Marta Iwanek/ Toronto Star) (CNW Group/Canadian Journalism Foundation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150218_C8656_PHOTO_EN_12323.jpg
Image with caption: "Marta Iwanek, currently a photojournalist on contract with the Toronto Star, is the recipient of the 2015 Tom Hanson Photojournalism Award, presented by The Canadian Journalism Foundation and The Canadian Press. Photo: Tim Finlan (CNW Group/Canadian Journalism Foundation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150218_C8656_PHOTO_EN_12324.jpg
Wendy Kan, Program Manager, The Canadian Journalism Foundation, [email protected] or 416-955-0394 x502; Graeme Roy, Director of News Photography, The Canadian Press, [email protected] or 416-507-2167
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