It’s a Sweep! Matadors Dominate Student Photography Competitors

CSUN college students dominated the coed competitors within the Press Photographers Association of Greater Los Angeles’ 2025 Annual Contest. Senior journalism main Benjamin Hanson was named Student Still Photojournalist of the Year on the ceremony, which occurred April 11, 2026, in downtown Los Angeles. Blake Fagan, additionally a senior journalism main, and Anthony Tedesco ’24 (Broadcast Journalism) tied for runner-up. Each of the scholars submitted a portfolio of fabric from 2025. Judges famous that Hanson’s images, which included a number of from protests round Los Angeles, have been “well composed, including the use of unique angles and uncluttered backgrounds, helping to make the images immediately impactful.” All three college students gained money awards — and Hanson additionally obtained new digital camera gear.

CSUN Senior Photographer Ringo Chiu ’01 (Special Major -Journalism) gained quite a few awards within the skilled classes, together with first place in Sports Action, second place in Photo Essay and third place in Picture Story, Spot News and Portfolio of the Year. He additionally obtained awards of excellence within the Fire, Feature, Spot News and Pictorial classes.

Chiu, a longtime member of the Press Photographers Association of Greater Los Angeles and its present treasurer, has labored with Fagan, who’s his pupil assistant, and Tedesco, who served as his pupil intern in 2025. Hanson is a photographer for the Daily Sundial. Chiu, who additionally serves within the group’s student mentorship program, mentioned it meant loads to him to see three CSUN college students win the highest prizes.

“The last time this happened was back in 2002, when my classmate Jason Warner won,” Chiu mentioned. “I still remember traveling with him to New York to cover 9/11.”

Chiu, who continues to work as a contract information photographer, famous that 2025 was a really busy information yr in Los Angeles.

“I saw many student photographers out there covering fires, protests and other major news events,” Chiu mentioned. “That makes this recognition even more meaningful.”

Fagan mentioned the PPAGLA is the primary group he joined for photojournalism and mentioned the skilled members have been instrumental in supporting his development in his chosen subject. Fagan, who coated most of the main information occasions throughout 2025, mentioned being acknowledged for that work was very particular.

“It was a long and chaotic year,” he mentioned. “But I really worked hard to cover as much as possible and develop my eye for visual storytelling.”