Photo finish
OKC youth wins national photography contest.
A n Oklahoma City youth took a picture as part of an assignment for a photography class, but he earned more than an "A" with the image.
Breon Ballard II, 10, was recently proclaimed a winner in the Boys and Girls Clubs of America's ImageMakers National Photography Program.
Breon's photo entitled "Kidale's Hat" — a whimsical image of his friend trying on a hat that is decidedly too big — captured the attention of contest judges and was chosen as a national winning photo entry.
Joshua Huling, unit director for The Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club of Oklahoma City, said Breon turned his photo in for an assignment that Huling had given him during a photography class at The Salvation Army Citadel, 2808 SE 44. Huling said he teaches the ImageMakers photography class at The Salvation Army site, and he was thrilled to learn that Breon had won an award.
"I was just proud. It's always good when I pass down that passion for photography," he said.
And Breon was delighted when he found out his photo was one of only 20
winning entries selected from thousands submitted by clubs and youth centers across the nation.
"He was so excited. He ran out of the office cheering," Huling said.
Breon said he enjoys Huling's photography class because he can explore different places and meet other people. He said he was walking around with his friend Kidale one day when Kidale slipped on Huling's hat.
"I decided to take a picture of it," he said.
Breon's parents, Shawntae and Breon Ballard Sr., said they were proud of him.
Shawntae Ballard said she wasn't surprised.
"He's one of those kids who would see something in things you never thought of," she said.
Meanwhile, his dad said he didn't know Breon was in the ImageMakers class. However, he said he did know someone else who had taken the class and done quite well: Breon's older brother Najahahn Jenkins.
Turns out the talent runs in the family.
Najahahn had two of his photos entitled "Ghost" and "See Through" chosen as national winning entries in the 2012 ImageMakers National Photography Contest.
New camera is the prize
In a letter to Huling, officials with the ImageMakers National Photography Contest said the program recognizes hundreds of highly talented young artists at the local, regional and national levels each year.
They said regional winners were recently judged by professionally recognized artists at Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s national headquarters office in Atlanta.
“Their decisions were difficult, and Breon’s entry was selected as one of only 20 national winners!” the letter said.
Breon will receive a prize package, including a new camera from Sony, the company which helps sponsor the contest.
The youth’s winning photo has been matted and currently adorns the wall of one of the multipurpose rooms at The Salvation Army Citadel.
Huling said seeing the award-winning photo on the wall helps provide motivation for other youths who participate in Salvation Army activities.
Huling said he’s also hoping the national attention helps motivate members of the community to support the photography program in some way because it is gaining popularity among Oklahoma City youths.
He said Breon shot his picture using Huling’s own camera and all of the camera equipment for the local program needs to be updated.