Sentinel photographer receives awards
Freelancer gets 2 APSE honors in national contest
Santa Cruz Sentinel freelance photographer Brandon Vallance received top10 recognition in two photo divisions at the annual Associated Press Sports Editors national contest.
His work was recognized in both the action and feature photo categories.
Remote judging took place the past two weeks to evaluate the best in sports coverage nationwide, both online and in print, from 2022. In-person judging took place at Doubletree Hotel at Disney Springs in Orlando, Florida, on Sunday through Wednesday. The APSE announced top10 winners throughout its winter conference.
In coming weeks, the APSE will reveal its final rankings, from first to 10th place, in each category. The winners will be honored at the conclusion of the APSE Summer Convention, which runs July 9-12 at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas.
Vallance's action photo submission was shot with a wireless remote. His camera was set up behind the goal at the CIF NorCal Division I Boys Soccer Championship in Rocklin on March 6. In the image, Whitney High goalkeeper Andrew Vanden Akker is shown diving while attempting to block a shot from Watsonville, with a dramatic skyscape as the backdrop.
His feature photo captured Aptos Little League's 11s All-Stars as they celebrated their win over Santa Teresa in the Section 5 Championship at Gilroy Sports Park on July 19.
“Brandon is a uber talented photographer who is constantly pushing himself to capture the most powerful images,” said Jim Seimas, the Sentinel's sports editor. “I always know I'm going to get nothing but quality when I open his submission emails after each assignment. He also shoots for ISI Photos and Getty Images while raising a family and working a full-time job, so I'm honored to have him shooting for the Sentinel as much as he does.”
The Sentinel competed in Division D, designated for publications with a circulation of 15,000 or under.