2025 Q1 Photo Essay

Points for Q1 PPAGLA Quarterly Contest

Cristina Salvador Klenz                                                        230 points

Ringo Chiu                                                                              170 points

Robert Gauthier                                                                    160 points

Jill Connelly                                                                             150 points

Robert Hanashiro                                                                   130 points

David Swanson                                                       110 points

Patrick Fallon                                                                            90 points

Terry Pierson                                                                             90 points

Thomas Cordova                                                                       90 points

Keith Birmingham                                                                     90 points

Brandon Richardson                                                                 70 points

Genaro Molina                                                                          60 points

Mindy Schauer                                                                           50 points

Mike Goulding                                                                            50 points

William Liang                                                                               40 points

Amy Gaskin                                                                                   30 points

Michael Coons                                                                              30 points

Gina Ferazzi                                                                                   20 points

Dana Rene White                                                                          20 points

Scott Mitchell                                                                                 20 points 

Quarter 1 judges, jAMIE rOSE & JOHN CHRISTOPHER ANDERSON

First Place: Of all the fire stories, this felt the most complete. The photographer’s edit was strong and offered some great single images as well as a whole package with narrative flow. They combined both the destructive nature of the fire with some emotional human reactions that blended well together. 

Second Place: The concept of this piece was well executed. The photographer’s initial capture of the images as a drive by/out my window approach was a good launching point. However, we appreciated how the photographer took the time to get out of the car and talk to the unhoused they photographed. In many instances, photographers don’t take the extra step, and it provided a sense of knowledge but also empathy that elevated it above the others. 

Third Place: There are some great single images in here that are more powerful on their own versus in a photo essay

Honorable Mention: This photographer created a heartwarming and inspiration collection of work in a short amount of time. The piece could have benefited from a tighter edit since certain frames felt repetitive. But the overall emotion and creativity of image composition was appreciated. 

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First Place: David Swanson, Freelance

A man removes the U.S. flag from its staff as a house burns behind him during the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California January 8, 2025.

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One of many CalFire helicopter crews flies in front of a mountain glowing during the Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades, California January 7th, 2025.

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Homes are in danger of being destroyed as the Palisades Fire grows in a wind driven fire in Pacific Palisades, California, U.S. January 7, 2024.

A few minutes after the start of the Palisades Fire erupted during red flag warnings, a hillside catches fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood January 7th, 2025.

A LAFD fireman sprays water into a valley as a CalFire drops water overhead during the start of the Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades, California January 7th, 2025.

Los Angeles Fire Department personnel work a house fire at the start of the Palisades Fire January 7th, 2025.

A property owner tries to save his house as homes are in danger or destroyed as the Palisades Fire grows in a wind driven fire in Pacific Palisades, California, U.S. January 7, 2024

Residents of Altadena embrace before evacuating their homes during the Eaton Fire January 8th, 2025.

Homes are in danger or destroyed as the Palisades Fire grows in a wind driven fire in Pacific Palisades, California, U.S. January 7, 2024.

Two vehicles and a home are ablaze during the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, January 8th, 2025.

The reflection of a home during glows I another home window during the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, January 8th, 2025.

A drone view shows neighborhood destroyed by the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, U.S. January 19, 2025.

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Second place: Cristina Salvador Klenz, Freelance

Intersections In Time_Long Beach From My Car_is a photo essay of images I take during my travels driving through both Long Beach and Signal Hill California. All the images are taken from within my vehicle and depict the current plights of Long Beach residents especially the unhoused. The essay also documents unusual or interesting scenes that provoke emotion in the viewer. Ameen Mustqueen, 52, is a larger than life figure who painted his face white as a way to cleanse and heal himself. He has been living on the streets for at least 10 years. He is walking on Atlantic Avenue in Long Beach.

Intersections In Time_Long Beach From My Car_is a photo essay of images I take during my travels driving through both Long Beach and Signal Hill California. All the images are taken from within my vehicle and depict the current plights of Long Beach residents especially the unhoused. The essay also documents unusual or interesting scenes that provoke emotion in the viewer. Like many urban areas nationwide, Long Beach, California, an increase in its homeless population. Although the city’s overall population has been declining since 2016, there has been an increase in homelessness. Homelessness in Long Beach has increased from 1,863 in 2017 to 3,376 in 2024 including 786 people who were living in vehicles. A 36-year-old woman (who preferred not to giver her name) wakes up after sleeping on the sidewalk along Long Beach Boulevard in Long Beach.

Intersections In Time_Long Beach From My Car_is a photo essay of images I take during my travels driving through both Long Beach and Signal Hill California. All the images are taken from within my vehicle and depict the current plights of Long Beach residents especially the unhoused. The essay also documents unusual or interesting scenes that provoke emotion in the viewer. Like many urban areas nationwide, Long Beach, California, an increase in its homeless population. Although the city’s overall population has been declining since 2016, there has been an increase in homelessness. Homelessness in Long Beach has increased from 1,863 in 2017 to 3,376 in 2024 including 786 people who were living in vehicles. According to the 2024 city Homeless Count report, individuals who experienced childhood trauma were more likely to experience homelessness. In the early morning, a young woman yells while standing in rain at the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Long Beach Boulevard.

Intersections In Time_Long Beach From My Car_is a photo essay of images I take during my travels driving through both Long Beach and Signal Hill California. All the images are taken from within my vehicle and depict the current plights of Long Beach residents especially the unhoused. The essay also documents unusual or interesting scenes that provoke emotion in the viewer. Like many urban areas nationwide, Long Beach, California, an increase in its homeless population. Although the city’s overall population has been declining since 2016, there has been an increase in homelessness. Homelessness in Long Beach has increased from 1,863 in 2017 to 3,376 in 2024 including 786 people who were living in vehicles. A woman who had been sleeping on the sidewalk expresses her anger toward a man she had been arguing with by yelling and flashing hand gestures in several directions as he moved around her.

Intersections In Time_Long Beach From My Car_Long Beach From My Car is a photo essay of images I take during my travels driving through both Long Beach and Signal Hill California. All the images are taken from within my vehicle and depict the current plights of Long Beach residents especially the unhoused. The essay also documents unusual or interesting scenes that provoke emotion in the viewer. A woman reaches out to check on an individual who is sleeping on her backpack and holding her phone near 10th Street just outside Dignity Health St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach, California.

Intersections In Time_Long Beach From My Car_is a photo essay of images I take during my travels driving through both Long Beach and Signal Hill California. All the images are taken from within my vehicle and depict the current plights of Long Beach residents especially the unhoused. The essay also documents unusual or interesting scenes that provoke emotion in the viewer. Among the leading causes of homelessness in Long Beach are unemployment (37.1%), family disruption (29.1%) mental illness (16.3%), and eviction (16.5%).A man repeatedly picks up the same pieces of trash and drops them along the sidewalk adjacent to Anaheim Street in Long Beach, California.

Intersections In Time_Long Beach From My Car_is a photo essay of images I take during my travels driving through both Long Beach and Signal Hill California. All the images are taken from within my vehicle and depict the current plights of Long Beach residents especially the unhoused. The essay also documents unusual or interesting scenes that provoke emotion in the viewer. A young man, carrying a blanket more than half an hour, crossed back and forth from one side of the Atlantic Avenue to the other. He risked his safety as he walked in-between cars in Long Beach, so that he could scour the area and trash cans looking for drinks and food. In his confusion, he took the contents from the trashcans and poured them on his head drenching his face and body.

Intersections In Time_Long Beach From My Car_is a photo essay of images I take during my travels driving through both Long Beach and Signal Hill California. All the images are taken from within my vehicle and depict the current plights of Long Beach residents especially the unhoused. The essay also documents unusual or interesting scenes that provoke emotion in the viewer. Aaron Jolie, 53, was holding this sign early in the morning and later in the afternoon at the same location on Pacific Avenue near Anaheim Street in Long Beach. He has been living on the streets for 14 years.

Intersections In Time_Long Beach From My Car_is a photo essay of images I take during my travels driving through both Long Beach and Signal Hill California. All the images are taken from within my vehicle and depict the current plights of Long Beach residents especially the unhoused. The essay also documents unusual or interesting scenes that provoke emotion in the viewer. Like many urban areas nationwide, Long Beach, California, an increase in its homeless population. Although the city’s overall population has been declining since 2016, there has been an increase in homelessness. Homelessness in Long Beach has increased from 1,863 in 2017 to 3,376.

Intersections In Time_Long Beach From My Car — is a photo essay of images I take during my travels driving through both Long Beach and Signal Hill California. All the images are taken from within my vehicle and depict the current plights of Long Beach residents especially the unhoused. The essay also documents unusual or interesting scenes that provoke emotion in the viewer. DJ and his dog, Dallas, pose for a portrait outside the apartment complex where they live on Long Beach Boulevard near Burnett Street in Long Beach.

Intersections In Time_Long Beach From My Car_Long Beach From My Car is a photo essay of images I take during my travels driving through both Long Beach and Signal Hill California. All the images are taken from within my vehicle and depict the current plights of Long Beach residents especially the unhoused. The essay also documents unusual or interesting scenes that provoke emotion in the viewer. Around the corner from Long Beach Polytechnic High School, a man sleeps in a hammock. Behind him is a tent.

Intersections In Time_Long Beach From My Car_is a photo essay of images I take during my travels driving through both Long Beach and Signal Hill California. All the images are taken from within my vehicle and depict the current plights of Long Beach residents especially the unhoused. The essay also documents unusual or interesting scenes that provoke emotion in the viewer. Like many urban areas nationwide, Long Beach, California, an increase in its homeless population.A person sleeps on the sidewalk as shoppers pass by near Smart & Final Extra, 4480 Atlantic Avenue in Long Beach.

Third Place: Ringo Chiu, Freelance

A firefighter's shadow is cast on the wall of a burning home as wind-driven embers fly during the Palisades Fire amid a windstorm on the west side of Los Angeles, California, U.S., January 8, 2025.

A firefighter battles the Palisades fire as it burns during a windstorm on the west side of Los Angeles, California, U.S. January 7, 2025.

The Palisades fire burns a mobile home during a weather driven windstorm on the west side of Los Angeles, California, U.S. January 7, 2025.

A firefighter battles the Palisades fire as it burns during a windstorm on the west side of Los Angeles, California, U.S. January 7, 2025.

Firefighters battle the Palisades fire as its burns during a windstorm on the west side of Los Angeles, California, U.S. January 8, 2025.

Firefighters battle the Palisades Fire as wind-driven embers fly during a weather-fueled windstorm on the west side of Los Angeles, California, U.S., January 7, 2025.

Firefighters battle the Palisades Fire as wind-driven embers fly during a weather-fueled windstorm on the west side of Los Angeles, California, U.S., January 8, 2025.

Firefighters battle the Palisades fire as it burns during a weather driven windstorm on the west side of Los Angeles, California, U.S. January 7, 2025.

A firefighter battles the Palisades Fire as it burns a home near the beach during a windstorm on the west side of Los Angeles, California, U.S., January 8, 2025.

A car is seen as wind-driven embers fly while the Palisades Fire burns during a weather-fueled windstorm on the west side of Los Angeles, California, U.S., January 7, 2025.

A U.S. flag flies as a structure burns during the Palisades Fire, driven by strong winds on the west side of Los Angeles, California, U.S., January 7, 2025.

Smoke rises as the Palisades Fire burns down a mobile home estate during a wind-driven storm on the west side of Los Angeles, California, U.S., January 7, 2025.

Honorable Mention: Terry Pierson, The Press Enterprise

Todd Tomazic celebrates scoring in a wheelchair rugby for individuals with and without physical disabilities during Roll & Rally Sports Blast at The Claremont Club in Claremont on Saturday, March 15, 2025.

A wheelchair athlete enters a tennis court during the Roll & Rally Sports Blast at The Claremont Club in Claremont on Saturday, March 15, 2025.

Rajesh Garg of North Hollywood backhands a ball in an Up-Down (Wheels & Heels) game of tennis during the Roll & Rally Sports Blast at The Claremont Club in Claremont on Saturday, March 15, 2025.

Niko Best of West Hollywood wears his “Never Stop Pushing” t-shirt while competiting in a wheelchair rugby game during the Roll & Rally Sports Blast at The Claremont Club in Claremont on Saturday, March 15, 2025.

Allan Sumulong, of Upland laughs after nearly being hit in the head by a wiffleball in an Over-the-Line baseball game during the Roll & Rally Sports Blast at The Claremont Club in Claremont on Saturday, March 15, 2025.

Kelvin Tay, left returns a ball infant as partner Ja Nuss backs him in a Up-Down (Wheels & Heels) game during the Roll & Rally Sports Blast at The Claremont Club in Claremont on Saturday, March 15, 2025.

Wheelchair tennis player Ja Nuss returns the ball in a Up-Down (Wheels & Heels) tennis game during the Roll & Rally Sports Blast at The Claremont Club in Claremont on Saturday, March 15, 2025.

Jennifer Adamczyk hits the ball in a Up-Down (Wheels & Heels) baseball game during the Roll & Rally Sports Blast at The Claremont Club in Claremont on Saturday, March 15, 2025.

Niko Best of West Hollywood takes a water break in a rugby wheelchair next to his motorized wheelchair during the Roll & Rally Sports Blast at The Claremont Club in Claremont on Saturday, March 15, 2025.

Denisha Davis of Lancaster learns to play wheelchair tennis from Connor Francisco, left during Roll & Rally Sports Blast at The Claremont Club in Claremont on Saturday, March 15, 2025.

Jennifer Adamczyk gets out of a wheelchair to hug Allan Sumulong after almost hitting him with a line drive in an Over-the-Line baseball game during the Roll & Rally Sports Blast at The Claremont Club in Claremont on Saturday, March 15, 2025.

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Meet your judge

Jamie Rose is co-Founder and COO of Momenta Group, LLC, which operates Momenta Workshops, Momenta Creative, and manages Wildfire Media, a nonprofit dedicated to documentary storytelling. Her early career was spent in the halls of power as a Press Corps photojournalist covering Capitol Hill and the White House, primarily as a long-term contract for The New York Times. 

Her passion for working with nonprofits led her to documentary coverage of humanitarian and health crises in Africa, North and South America, and the Middle East. Her clients included organizations such as Doctors Without Borders, The Calvert Foundation, The Global Fund, and Physicians for Human Rights. 

In 2011, Jamie was awarded the United Nations’ Photographers Leadership Award. Her long-term photo projects have won acclaim from the Alexia Foundation and The White House News Photographers’ Association for her portfolio of Doctors Without Borders (MSF) health care workers in wartime Northern Uganda.

Jamie is considered an expert in nonprofit communications and has been interviewed about the importance of storytelling in nonprofit communications by The Candid Frame, Photo District News (PDN), Creative Marketing & Business Podcast, and News Photographer Magazine, among others. She has been an invited lecturer at Harvard University, Columbia University, Georgetown University, University of Oregon, the Northern Short Course, and her alma maters.

Jamie holds degrees in Literature and Communications from American University and Visual Interactive Communications from the S.I. Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University. She also runs the popular blog Jamie’s List, which promotes jobs and opportunities for creatives. 

She lives in the mountains of Oregon with her husband, co-founder of Momenta John Chris Anderson, and their rescue dogs, Cody and Malcolm. 

John Christopher Anderson is the founder and CEO of Momenta Group. He has been an active player in the photographic and communications industry for more than two decades. His background includes roles as a photojournalist, daily news and travel photo editor, and Photo and Illustrations Editor for National Geographic Society. This collection of experience, plus a passion for the craft of Concerned Documentary Photography, helped him find the inspiration to launch Momenta. 

Momenta has divisions in creative consulting, specializing in nonprofit and strategic communications, and International educational workshops. In 2017, Chris helped Momenta launch a charitable nonprofit called Wildfire Media, which provides capacity-building and development assistance along with a dose of inspiration to under-supported NGO communities charities and documentarians around the world. 

The challenges of using powerful visual messaging and open-source research content as a vehicle for educating the public has grown into his biggest passion of late.

John lives with his wife and business partner, Jamie Rose, in the beautiful mountains of Oregon. When he’s not working on Wildfire and Momenta, you can find him blazing down a singletrack on his dirt bike, perfecting a carve on a snowboard, or hiking the backcountry trails with Jamie and their rescue pups.