Charleston photographer named to Team USA

PRESS RELEASE

(Charleston, WV) — Local photographer Perry Bennett has been acknowledged on the nationwide and worldwide stage with two main honors in skilled images: incomes a Platinum Medal on the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) 2026 International Photographic Competition and being chosen as a member of Team USA for the 2026 World Photographic Cup.

During PPA’s International Photographic Competition, Bennett’s picture, “Race Noir II”, (which was captured in the course of the wet, nighttime Criterium races in downtown Charleston, WV in 2024 as part of the US Cycling Road National Championships) superior to the Round of 4 within the bracket-style dwell judging held at Imaging USA; one of many world’s largest annual conventions and expos for skilled photographers. Imaging USA befell January 11–13, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee. Race Noir II is proven under.

From a pool of over 2,000 photographs, solely 48 pictures earned a Platinum Medal, inserting Bennett’s work among the many most extremely acknowledged photographs within the competitors. Judging was performed by a panel of revered business leaders and high photographers from throughout the occupation.

In addition to this achievement, Perry was just lately chosen to be a member of Team USA for the 2026 World Photographic Cup, a world competitors co-founded by Professional Photographers of America (PPA) and the Federation of European Photographers (FEP). The workforce was formally introduced in the course of the Grand Imaging Awards at Imaging USA on January 12 in Nashville; and can go on to symbolize the United States on the World Photographic Cup, which will probably be held in April 2026 in Reykjavik, Iceland.

“It’s a great honor to win a spot on Team USA,” stated Perry. “It’s an amazing group to be a part of. I push myself to be a better photographer each year, and to be recognized and given the chance to represent my country and the great state of West Virginia is just icing on the cake.”

Perry is the primary West Virginian to be a member of Team USA for World Photographic Cup.

The World Photographic Cup brings collectively photographers from 57 international locations, selling worldwide cooperation and excellence in images. Teams might submit as much as three photographs in every of ten classes, together with Commercial, Illustration/Digital Art, Portrait, Nature, Sports, Wedding, and Photojournalism. Individual medals are awarded in every class, whereas nationwide groups compete for the general World Photographic Cup title primarily based on combination scores. Team USA captured first place in the latest competitors.

These honors replicate Bennett’s dedication to technical mastery, creativity, {and professional} excellence, setting a excessive customary throughout the photographic group and past.

About Professional Photographers of America (PPA): Founded in 1868, Professional Photographers of America is the biggest and longest-standing nonprofit images commerce affiliation. PPA helps greater than 35,000 skilled photographers elevate their craft and develop their companies via schooling, sources, and advocacy, guided by its mission of bridging the hole between photographers and customers.