Virginia Business photographer wins Best in Show

Virginia Business gained 9 awards within the Virginia Press Association‘s 2025 News & Advertising Contest, together with a Best in Show award for Specialty Photography to contributing photographer Norm Shafer, the state group introduced throughout its April 11 annual awards banquet held at The Virginian resort in Lynchburg.

Shafer gained the VPA Best in Show award and a primary place award for image story or essay for his images documenting the June 30, 2025, grand opening of the primary Buc-ee’s journey middle in Virginia, an occasion that drew followers of the interstate mega comfort retailer chain and its ubiquitous beaver mascot from as far-off as Alabama.

“Norm has an exceptional eye for storytelling through the lens, and this recognition speaks to both his technical skill and his ability to capture moments that resonate with readers,” stated Virginia Business Associate Publisher and Editor Richard Foster. “His work on the Buc-ee’s opening brought added energy, scale and personality to our coverage.”

Additionally, Virginia Business Associate Editor Beth JoJack gained a primary place award for common information writing for her colourful protection of the Buc-ee’s opening, which included interviewing keen followers who camped out in a single day. “I had no idea there were groupies and such a riot of activity surrounding a [Buc-ee’s] grand opening,” the competition judges wrote. “Fun, informative story. Great job!”

The state press affiliation’s annual contest acknowledges excellence in design, writing, images, illustrations and promoting amongst taking part publications throughout Virginia for the earlier calendar yr. This yr’s contest was judged by members of the South Carolina Press Association. As a month-to-month enterprise journal, Virginia Business competes within the VPA‘s specialty publications class, which incorporates publications revealed much less continuously than weekly in addition to focused and area of interest publications.

Virginia Business additionally gained 4 second-place awards within the following classes:

News Writing Portfolio — With the competition judges praising her “engaging writing about controversial issues,” Deputy Editor Kate Andrews gained for a physique of tales together with “Virginia Supreme Court hears $2B trade secrets case,” “GOP House Judiciary report accuses GMU president of lying to Congress,” and “Virginia Supreme Court won’t intervene in Youngkin-Senate university boards dispute.”

General News Photo — Shafer additionally positioned on the whole information photograph for his protection of the Buc-ee’s opening, with the judges saying, “Emotion and energy and good composition elevated this image to a winner.”

Headline Writing — Associate Publisher and Editor Richard Foster positioned for entries corresponding to “A reshore bet,” for JoJack’s function story about efforts to deliver manufacturing again to the United States, and “The point is Smoot,” for his personal column about President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs.

Page Design — Art Director Joel Smith gained for his work on the September 2026 cowl story, “A new atomic age,” with retro illustrations by Miriam Foster accompanying the story about efforts to scale up nuclear energy technology to fulfill rising electrical demand from information facilities. “The animated portrayal was beyond appropriate for the content,” the judges famous.

Finally, the journal gained two third-place awards in these classes:

Column or Commentary Writing — The judges wrote that Foster‘s columns on subjects such because the federal crackdown on undocumented immigrants, the DEI debate, and a statewide political brouhaha provided “incisive reflections on important public issues from a business perspective.”

Front Page or Front Cover — Smith, Andrews, Richard and Miriam Foster, Jay Paul and James Lee took a joint award for his or her work on Virginia Business’ May, September and October 2025 covers, with the judges singling out the “clever designs with stunning art [and] great font selections.”

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