Michigan Press Photographers group acknowledges Free Press images, video

Detroit Free Press photographers received 23 honors within the annual Michigan Press Photographers Association Awards.

Among them had been high recognitions for workers photographer Ryan Garza, who received Photographer of the Year for the fourth consecutive yr and the Barry Edmonds Michigan Understanding Award for his work on a challenge that chronicled a yr in cultural change in Hamtramck. Garza additionally received MPPA’s better of present award for that challenge, titled “Two Square Miles: The Evolution of Hamtramck.”

Separately, Garza is a finalist within the Siena International Photo Awards within the class of Storytelling in Daily Life and Contemporary Issues for “Two Square Miles.” Winners can be introduced in October. Garza was named a finalist within the class of Daily Life Picture Story within the Pictures of the Year contest, a part of the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute on the Missouri School of Journalism.

Staff photographer Mandi Wright took first, second and third place within the multimedia information class with movies on the 10-year anniversary of same-sex marriage changing into authorized in Michigan successful first place, and a video that chronicles a camp for kids dealing with a the lack of a father or mother or guardian because of suicide. Brian Kaufman, former government video producer on the Free Press, was the video editor on each. Wright additionally received second place within the multimedia characteristic class for her photostory and video headlined “Freak Bike Takover,” a few group of cyclists who assemble and journey wild two-wheelers.

Staff photographer David Rodriguez Muñoz received second place within the basic information class for an image of authorized assist staff distributing sneakers and different assets throughout a go to with an agricultural labor camp in South Haven

Finn Gomez, a Free Press intern in 2025, received honorable point out for a jarring picture of a boxer being hit within the face throughout a match.

Separately, the Free Press received first and second for greatest information picture in a contest held by the Michigan Press Association journalism. Garza received first place for a photograph of protests on the University of Michigan, and workers photographer Eric Seals received second place for a photograph of a grieving household at a funeral for 2 kids.