2025 Q2 Picture Story

Points for Q2 PPAGLA Quarterly Contest 2025

Ringo Chiu                                                                              360 points

Robert Gauthier                                                                    340 points

Gina Ferazzi                                                                            320 points 

Cristina Salvador Klenz                                                        280 points

Jill Connelly                                                                             260 points 

David Swanson                                                       220 points

Mike Goulding                                                                        180 points

Robert Hanashiro                                                                   130 points 

Michael Coons                                                                         100 points 

Patrick Fallon                                                                            90 points

Terry Pierson                                                                             90 points 

Thomas Cordova                                                                       90 points 

Keith Birmingham                                                                     90 points 

Ghawam Kouchaki                                                                    80 points

Brandon Richardson                                                                 70 points 

Scott Mitchell                                                                             70 points 

Genaro Molina                                                                          60 points 

Mindy Schauer                                                                           50 points 

William Liang                                                                               40 points 

Amy Gaskin                                                                                   30 points 

Daniel Dreifuss                                                                             30 points

Paul Rodriguez   30 points

Dana Rene White                                                                          20 points 

Sarah Reingewirtz                                                               20 points

Quarter 2 judges: K.C. Alfred, Nel Cepeda, Meg McLaughin

Overall, another great category. First, a nicely done long term story from start to finish that tells a complete story. This was a "story" compared to others in category that were a series of photos from same event. Second and third. More nice sets of photos from the protests. Great moments, angles, light. HM- Nicely done fun story about pampered dog.

Overall comments. Great protest photos from a variety of photographers. Everyone seemed to be right in the middle of the action. In other categories, less is more. Crop tighter, enter your best photos. Sending multiple photos of same event/subject waters them down. 

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First Place: Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times

RIVERSIDE, CA - JANUARY 28, 2025: Abi, a 17-year-old transgender high school student track athlete, had to switch high schools to able to participate and be accepted by teammates on the track team January 28, 2025 in Riverside, California. “No one asked me if I had the mental strength or not before they sued California over me or before they sent hundreds of students to protest against me, “ she said. She stayed in the shadows at first but quickly became an activist.

RIVERSIDE, CA - APRIL 9, 2025: Abi, middle, a transgender athlete, competes in the 100 meter hurdles during a track meet on April 9, 2025 in Riverside, California.

RIVERSIDE, CA - APRIL 9, 2025: Abi holds hands with a teammate in a prayer circle before a track meet event on April 9, 2025 in Riverside, California.

RIVERSIDE, CA - APRIL 9, 2025: Abi, second from right, a transgender athlete holds hands in a prayer circle with other competitors before a track meet event on April 9, 2025 in Riverside, California.

RIVERSIDE, CA - APRIL 9, 2025: Abi ,a transgender athlete, leaves the track field after competing in three events during a track meet on April 9, 2025 in Riverside, California.

RIVERSIDE, CA - APRIL 14, 2025: Abi holds a collection of her track medals in her bedroom on April 14, 2025 in Riverside, California.

RIVERSIDE, CA - APRIL 14, 2025: Abi, a transgender athlete, spends quiet time on her bed reading after track practice on April 14, 2025 in Riverside, California. She has an anti-Trump poster hanging near her bed.

RIVERSIDE, CA - FEBRUARY 6, 2025: Abi, a 17-year-old transgender high school student track athlete addresses the Riverside Unified School Board during public comment on February 6, 2025 in Riverside, California. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

RIVERSIDE, CA - APRIL 5, 2025: Abi, a transgender athlete, participates in a protest against Trump and his attacks on trans people on April 5, 2025 in Riverside, California.

RIVERSIDE, CA - MAY 28, 2025: Abi, a transgender athlete, waves a trans flag after receiving her diploma during commencement on May 28, 2025 in Riverside, California. She graduated one year early. She hid the flag in her clothing so school administrators wouldn’t confiscate it.

RIVERSIDE, CA - MAY 28, 2025:Abi, a transgender athlete, hugs her great grandmother with her brother nearby after graduating high school one year early on May 28, 2025 in Riverside, California. She graduated one year early.

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Second Place: Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles, CA, Sunday, June 8, 2025 - Demonstrators flock to destroy a Waymo vehicle as thousands of protesters take to the streets to protest ICE immigration raids throughout the city. Soon after federal immigration agents began a widespread campaign to capture and deport non US citizens from street corners, businesses and homes, LA residents took to the streets near a federal detention center and rioted.

Los Angeles, CA, Sunday, June 8, 2025 - Bystanders help a woman who was bleeding after getting shot in the hand by a rubber bullet from an LAPD officer at the intersection of Temple and Los Angeles St. as protesters take to the streets to protest ICE immigration raids throughout the city.

Los Angeles, CA, Monday, June 9, 2025 - Thousands rally at Grand Park in support of union leader David Huerta who was detained by ICE agents and faces federal charges.

Los Angeles, CA, Sunday, June 8, 2025 - CHP officers hold the line against protesters pushing them off the 101 on ramp from Aliso St.

Los Angeles, CA, Sunday, June 8, 2025 - Atlachinolli Tezcacoatl pauses for a selfie as a medic tends to his bloody face from after getting hit in the with a rubber bullet fired by an LAPD officer at Temple and Los Angeles St.

Los Angeles, CA, Sunday, June 8, 2025 - A protester lobs a large rock at CHP officers stationed on th 101 freeway below. Dozens tossed all sorts of objects, including Lime scooters at officer huddled below.

Los Angeles, CA, Sunday, June 8, 2025 - Protesters throw rocks from Aliso St. at CHP officers stationed on the 101 fwy below. This rock was a near miss.

Los Angeles, CA, Sunday, June 8, 2025 - CHP officer take aim at demonstrators throwing rocks at them as they run to their vehicles parked under an overpass on the 101 freeway downtown.

Los Angeles, CA, Monday, June 9, 2025 - Members of Las Cafeteras lead supporters in song at a rally in support of union leader David Huerta at Grand Park. Huerta was recently detained by ICE agents and faces federal charges.

Los Angeles, CA, Sunday, June 8, 2025 - Rocks and a scooter thrown from an overpass lay on a CHP vehicle parked on the 101 freeway as vandals protest ICE immigration raids throughout the city.

Los Angeles, CA, Sunday, June 8, 2025 - Waymo taxis burn on Los Angeles St. as thousands of protesters take to the streets to protest ICE immigration raids throughout the city.

Third Place: Ringo Chiu / Freelance

Smoke rises from a burning car as law enforcement officers confront protesters during a demonstration following federal immigration operations in the Compton neighborhood of Los Angeles on June 7, 2025. The protest erupted after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted raids in the area, leading to multiple detentions and escalating into clashes, the use of chemical irritants by police, and small fires set by protesters.

A Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy aims a less-lethal launcher as smoke and tear gas fill the air during a demonstration following federal immigration operations in the Compton neighborhood of Los Angeles on June 7, 2025. The protest erupted after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted raids in the area, leading to multiple detentions and escalating into clashes, the use of chemical irritants by police, and small fires set by protesters.

A demonstrator on a motorcycle waves a Mexican flag in front of a burning vehicle during a demonstration following federal immigration operations in the Compton neighborhood of Los Angeles on June 7, 2025. The protest erupted after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted raids in the area, leading to multiple detentions and escalating into clashes, the use of chemical irritants by police, and small fires set by protesters.

A burned-out car burns in the street as Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies move through the area during a demonstration following federal immigration operations in the Compton neighborhood of Los Angeles on June 7, 2025. The protest erupted after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted raids in the area, leading to multiple detentions and escalating into clashes, the use of chemical irritants by police, and small fires set by protesters.

Demonstrators stand on a burned-out car and wave flags during a demonstration following federal immigration operations in the Compton neighborhood of Los Angeles on June 7, 2025. The protest erupted after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted raids in the area, leading to multiple detentions and escalating into clashes, the use of chemical irritants by police, and small fires set by protesters.

Protesters move down a debris-strewn street toward law enforcement vehicles during a demonstration following federal immigration operations in the Compton neighborhood of Los Angeles on June 7, 2025. The protest erupted after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted raids in the area, leading to multiple detentions and escalating into clashes, the use of chemical irritants by police, and small fires set by protesters.

A man reacts as a flash-bang device explodes near him during a demonstration following federal immigration operations in the Compton neighborhood of Los Angeles on June 7, 2025. The protest erupted after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted raids in the area, leading to multiple detentions and escalating into clashes, the use of chemical irritants by police, and small fires set by protesters.

A protester is engulfed in smoke as a flash-bang device deployed by sheriff’s deputies detonates near him during a demonstration following federal immigration operations in the Compton neighborhood of Los Angeles on June 7, 2025. The protest erupted after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted raids in the area, leading to multiple detentions and escalating into clashes, the use of chemical irritants by police, and small fires set by protesters.

Fireworks explode near police vehicles as protesters clash with law enforcement during a nighttime demonstration following federal immigration operations in the Compton neighborhood of Los Angeles on June 7, 2025. The protest erupted after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted raids in the area, leading to multiple detentions and escalating into clashes, the use of chemical irritants by police, and small fires set by protesters.

A protester carrying a fire extinguisher moves through smoke-filled streets during a nighttime demonstration following federal immigration operations in the Compton neighborhood of Los Angeles on June 7, 2025. The protest erupted after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted raids in the area, leading to multiple detentions and escalating into clashes, the use of chemical irritants by police, and small fires set by protesters.

Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies in riot gear advance behind armored vehicles during a nighttime demonstration following federal immigration operations in the Compton neighborhood of Los Angeles on June 7, 2025. The protest erupted after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted raids in the area, leading to multiple detentions and escalating into clashes, the use of chemical irritants by police, and small fires set by protesters.

A man yells at law enforcement officers from his car window as Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies stand nearby during a nighttime demonstration following federal immigration operations in the Compton neighborhood of Los Angeles on June 7, 2025. The protest erupted after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted raids in the area, leading to multiple detentions and escalating into clashes, the use of chemical irritants by police, and small fires set by protesters.

Honorable Mention: Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles, CA, Sunday, June 22, 2025 - Jeff and Alisa Alulis join Dug as he relaxes at the Den Urban Dog Retreat moments before receiving a sound bath for dogs. Wellness for dogs is a niche industry that mirrors the spectrum of wellness treatments for humans. As with humans, it swings from the relaxing and rejuvenating to the dubious. We follow Dug as he attends a few spa experiences throughout greater Los Angeles.

Los Angeles, CA, Sunday, June 22, 2025 - Den Urban Dog Retreat is a boutique wellness center for dogs. They're putting on a sound bath for dogs. Sound healer Crystal Cao says she configured the event for canines: It was only 30 minutes long due to their attention spans (no distracting squirrels within eyeshot, but still) and she played “lower, primal, base tones to keep them calm and centered.” But every time she swayed the ocean drum, filled with beads that mimicked the sound of rain, Dug got up to explore, standing in front of it, head cocked to the side.

Studio City, CA, Monday, June 23, 2025 - Dug visits Buddy Canine Wellness for some hydrotherapy. He is assisted by Buddy owner Jazz Pritchard. Dug is up for nearly any water adventure. But walking on a treadmill, in a glass tank filled with water at chest level was new to him — and admittedly a little scary at first. But the folks at Buddy: Canine Wellness in Studio City were so patient he got through it.

Studio City, CA, Monday, June 23, 2025 - Dug visits Buddy Canine Wellness for some hydrotherapy. Buddy isn’t affiliated with a veterinary practice. It doesn’t diagnose or prescribe but focuses, instead, on preventive health through fitness and recreation. In private sessions, dogs perform strength building and cardio workouts on an underwater treadmill or in a small swimming pool heated to 85 degrees, supposedly to aid blood circulation. (The initial hourlong visit is $250 with fitness assessment; then it’s $100 for 30-45 minutes.) The workouts are zero- or low-impact and easy on the joints, so suited for older dogs or those with arthritis or recovering from injuries.

Studio City, CA, Monday, June 23, 2025 - Buddy owner Jazz Pritchard showers him after a therapy session..

Studio City, CA, Monday, June 23, 2025 - Dug visits Buddy Canine Wellness for some hydrotherapy. Owner Lisa Alulis caresses Dug as they prepare for a hydrotherapy. Dug is in excellent health. So he visited Buddy for recreation — several clients come to burn off energy when it’s too hot to walk outdoors.

Hollywood, CA, Wednesday, June 25, 2025 - Dug waits patiently for humans to start his journey Collar and Comb via limo for a mud and blueberry facial. Collar & Comb is a canine luxury ecosystem, with three social houses for dogs and their humans, three grooming salons and four private dog parks, not to mention a fleet of high-end vehicles to transport four-legged clients. And Dug got the true VIP treatment. He was whisked into a soundproof “spa suite,” where the founder, Paul Leonard, and master stylist, Yanko Hernandez, prepared the ingredients for his treatments.

Hollywood, CA, Wednesday, June 25, 2025 - Dug goes to Collar and Comb via limo for a mud and blueberry facial. They swirled hand-muddled blueberries and raw honey into organic, sugar-free yogurt for his facial; they stirred exfoliating Japanese volcanic sand into mineral-rich Korean mud for his hydrating mask.

Hollywood, CA, Wednesday, June 25, 2025 - Dug was blown dry and finished off with a hotel-grade, organic cotton towel, rubbed with nourishing paw-balm and spritzed with “show dog” scent cologne.

Redondo Beach, CA, Tuesday, June 24, 2025 - Dug gets a Reiki massage from practitioner Stacey Gong from Tailwagger’s Massage at the beach. Reiki for humans is a Japanese energy-healing modality that, practitioners say, aids relaxation, pain relief and overall health by realigning the body’s energy centers, or “chakras.” For dogs, it looks like a gentle petting session.

Hollywood, CA, Wednesday, June 25, 2025 - Dug returns home via limo, accompanied by his owner, Jeff Alulis.

Redondo Beach, CA, Tuesday, June 24, 2025 - Dug finds a happy place after receiving a Reiki massage from Tailwagger’s Massage at the beach.

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Meet your judgeS

The group has collectively been staff photographers at The San Diego Union-Tribune for over 50 years. They have traveled to photograph the Olympics, Super Bowls, NCAA basketball, political conventions, disasters and conflicts overseas.  In San Diego they photograph all the regular events like wildfires, Comic-Con, SDSU basketball, the border, the military, everything along the coast and soon-to-be World Series Champions Padres.  

K.C. Alfred

Meg McLaughlin

Nel Cepeda