NPPA student chapter of the National Press Photographers Associationritnppa@gmail.com
2015 What We Do
The 2015 What We Do photojournalism competition was judged on Saturday, April 11, 2015 in Frank E. Gannett Hall on the RIT campus. The judges were selected by the RIT NPPA from a pool of alumni who have distinguished themselves in the photojournalism industry. The 2015 What We Do judges were Karen Cetinkaya, a photo editor at the New York Times, Leila Navidi, a staff photographer at the Minneapolis Star Tribune, and Seth Gitner, an assistant professor in the Newspaper and Online Journalism department at the Newhouse School at Syracuse University.
The competition is produced and sponsored by the RIT NPPA and the School of Photographic Arts and Sciences; prizes have been sponsored by The Gitner Family, Nikon Professional Services, The Kalish Visual Editing Workshop, and White House News Photographers Association.
Winning work will be on display at Booksmart Studio in the Neighborhood of the Arts in Downtown Rochester beginning May 1, 2015. The opening reception and awards ceremony will be held at Booksmart Studio on the evening of Friday, May 1.
Mom to be Bethany Shearer cries out in pain due to a contraction on Saturday October 5, 2014, at Rochester General Hospital. After 39.5 hours of labor she gave birth to a healthy baby boy, Harrison Marshall Shearer on October 6. 2014 at 1:35am. Harrison was 7 pounds 7 ounces and 20 ¾ inches long.
Gigi Prinsen lies on her father, Steve Prinsen as he lays down to take a nap in their home, on February 22, 2015 in Rochester, N.Y. Gigi says,”I am much more like my father than my mom because they have a lot more in common and he understands me more.”
Derrick Shezbie, performs at the 1st annual NolaFunk Crawfish and Music Festival on June 27, 2014 with his band, the Rebirth Brass Band. The event took place on Governors Island beach club, in New York City, N.Y. which brought the street New Orleans to New York with live jazz music and delicious food.
Matthew Pronko assists Daniel Lim in firing off their slingshot during the event Pumpkin ChunkinÕ with their teammate Adam Pries, on October 18, 2014. Students, family, and friends attended Pumpkin ChunkinÕ, an event where the first year Mechanical Engineers of RIT, create slingshots to launch pumpkins.
David sprout lifts his son, Duncan James Sprout up onto his lap to put him down for a nap on February 16, 2015 in their home in Webster, N.Y. Since David only has use of his right arm, which is weak, he has created a device to lift Duncan up and down carefully. He worries when Duncan is over 25 pounds, that he might not be able to lift him anymore because he isn’t strong enough to.
Freshman Grace Nolan a player on Arcadia High School’s varsity soccer team rests during a time out. The at home game took place on September 15, 2014 at Arcadia High School against Gate’s High School. Arcadia lost the game 1-0.
Becca Fitzpatrick and Peter Taham hold up I love you signs and candles in memory of their friend Timothy Holmes at his candle lighting vigil on August 29, 2014. Timothy passed away on August 27, 2014 from unknown causes. He was an avid member of the RIT community who belonged to various clubs and organizations.
After a long day, an exhausted Megan Frank tries to get some holiday shopping done online while trying to hold a fussy and squirming Hadley Frank on December 13, 2014 in their home in Avon, N.Y.
In the Mormon religion’s document entitled “Family”, it states; “We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the Earth remains in force.” Courtney and Cameron Larson of Lima, New York, wanted to fulfill their religious duty and faithfully worked to have a family for a couple of years. Eventually they tried Intra-uterine insemination – IUI – and the third attempt proved to be the charm – in a very big way. On March 12, 2012 Courtney gave birth to quadruplets; Ashlyn, Brody, Cooper, and Kylie. Today, Courtney and Cameron struggle to balance their time raising four toddlers in their “terrible twos” as well as finding some quiet time for themselves.
Cameron and Courtney Larson play piggy-back with their two-year old quadruplets before bedtime on March 21, 2015.
Courtney feeds extra nutrients to Brody through a feeding tube connected to his stomach before they go to Sunday church. Brody has developmental issues with his esophagus so he doesn’t eat as much on his own.
(L-R) Brody, Kylie, Ashlyn, and Cooper eat dinner in their custom-made table. The table was made for families with multiple children and has built-in seats for each child.
Courtney sits with Brody while Kylie has one of her “daily temper-tantrums”. On the other side of the room, Courtney’s husband Cameron sits with Cooper while Ashlyn bounces on the trampoline. Courtney and Cameron play with their quadruplets in the basement to get away from the television and interact together on a regular basis.
After playing in the park for an hour, Kylie threw a temper tantrum so Courtney decided it was time to leave. While Courtney strapped Kylie into her car seat, Cooper began to cry because he didn’t want to leave the park.
Courtney and the quadruplets (L – R) Kylie, Ashlyn, Cooper, and Brody make their way inside after the school bus drops them off in front of their house. The quads attend school Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays and return home at around 12:30 P.M. each day.
Growing frustrated, Courtney attempts to cajole a stubborn Ashlyn to eat her lunch. This is very unusual for any of quadruplets who usually eat most of the meals and share a sippy cup that the children refer to as their “ba ba.”
Ashlyn, Brody, Cooper, and Kylie watch television while Courtney prepares snacks in the kitchen. Courtney often turns on the television to distract the children while she prepares food or does chores around the house.
Chaos reigns as Brody, Cooper, Ashlyn, and Kylie Larson celebrate their third birthday during a party on March 6, 2015. Their actual birthday was on March 12 but the family celebrated earlier so more family members and friends could join in the festivities.
Kylie and Brody ride their toy cars through Courtney’s legs and around the rest of the house. The children enjoy racing their cars around the house for fun.
Courtney takes a moment to rest before she puts the quads – Ashlyn, Brody, Cooper, and Kylie – to bed. Most nights they are a hand full to get into bed, even with the help of Cameron.
Cameron and Courtney watch a movie to unwind after a long day. Most nights they fall asleep on the couch or go to bed early because they are so exhausted and drained from Cameron’s job and taking care of the quadruplets.
Yvonne Guest strokes the forehead of her brother-in-law Dan Nagele as he lies in bed at his home in in Avon, N.Y. Nagele’s adopted daughters Kyra Nagele, 18 (left) and Shanna Cunningham, 25 (right), console Dan shortly before he died on Monday, February 16, 2015. Dan suffered from Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis disease, (NASH) which is a fatal liver disease that resembles alcohol liver disease, but occurs in people who drink little or no alcohol. Because Dan’s wife, Loretta died in 2009 from cancer, his death left Kyra and Shanna with no parents.
Hall of Fame horse racing jockey Joe Rocco Jr. looks on after loosing a race at Saratoga Race Track on July 27, 2014 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
Glen Horton, center, inflates and illuminates his hot air balloon during the Cambridge Balloon Festival Glow Show on Saturday, June 7, 2014 in Cambridge, N.Y.
Ramsey (NJ) Firefighters project water onto the Avalon apartment complex during a 5-alarm fire on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2015 in Edgewater, N.J. The fire, which displaced nearly 1,000 people was caused by a plumbing repair that ignited a fire in the wall which quickly spread through the building. No fatalities were reported.
Rochester Institute of Technology student Sachin Gawande (cq) is soaked by a garden hose during the Indian Holi Festival of Color, April 26, 2014 on the RIT campus in Henrietta, New York.
(Left to right) Alfred State players Tyler Sanders, Deek Kanther, Bryan Sampson, and Jordan Sealey walk towards the locker room after losing to the University of Rochester, 35-21, at Pioneer Stadium on Saturday, September 13, 2014 in Alfred, N.Y.
Chaney Roko, 34, is a single mother of two adopted children. Mary, 9, and her sister Kiera, 4, both have Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita, a rare neuromuscular disease that bends the body’s joints at birth. The disease prevents the girls from speaking, walking, breathing and eating on their own. The only way to correct these issues is through serial casting, which forces the disrupted bone structure back into a normal state. Growing up, Chaney’s family adopted a young girl who was also diagnosed with AMC. To take care of her two daughters, Chaney quit her job in order to be a full-time mother.
Chaney carries Mary playfully through their home on Oct. 19, 2014 on Lincoln St. in East Rochester, N.Y. In the wintertime, it is hard for Chaney to take her daughters outside. For fun, Chaney likes to carry Mary around the house and tell her she is flying.
Chaney watches TV with Kiera (left) and Mary. Each evening before bedtime, Chaney relaxes with her daughters by watching a movie in the living room.
With the help of her mother Karen, Chaney pushes Mary up the driveway on Lincoln Street in East Rochester, N.Y. Because Mary cannot walk, she uses a wheelchair wherever she goes. Rochester’s snowy winters create a challenge for Mary and her wheelchair whenever they go outside.
Marcy Reeves, left, reads to elementary school students at East Rochester High School on Dec. 13, 2014 in East Rochester, N.Y. Chaney and Karen brought Kiera and Mary to the free reading sessions for a change of pace and to get the girls out of the house during the winter. During the holidays, the local high school hosts a series of public shows and events performed by high school staff and students alike.
A small sampling of the medical supplies used to feed Mary and Kiera are laid out in the morning. Each day, Chaney cleans the previously used tubes with alcohol to keep them sanitary. Because they are unable to consume food on their own, they must be fed water-based foods through a tube.
Chaney holds Kiera during a series of back muscle spasms on Oct. 19, 2014 in East Rochester, N.Y. The muscle spasms force her body to shake, sometimes for several minutes each time. Although they happens with some frequency, the spasms still upset Chaney.
Kiera, left, watches a movie while Chaney teaches to sew during Mary’s homeschooling session. Due to Mary’s medical condition, the local elementary school is not able to accommodate her educational needs.
Chaney watches over a napping Kiera on Oct. 19, 2014 in East Rochester, N.Y. Letting the children nap during the day allows Chaney to have a few minutes to herself to watch television or read.
Chaney wraps her feet around Mary’s legs to help support her while she stands in her leg braces.
Chaney carries her daughter Kiera up to bed. Chaney wants to move out of her two-story home into a ranch in order to accommodate to her children’s needs, however she faces financial issues that prevent that from occurring anytime soon.
Chaney puts a nylon cast on Mary’s wrist to prevent her wrist from incorrect growth while she sleeps.
After a long day of taking care of her children, Chaney relaxes on the family room couch. Each night she has a few hours alone to relax until the night nurse comes to monitor the children while they sleep.
A candid, un-posed story or essay that reflects the human experience, celebrates life, or chronicles a cultural trend, important social, economic, or political issue.
The Kamali family are refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo in Central Africa. They resettled in America with hopes of finding peace in their permanent new home. “When you are starting a new life, everything is difficult,” said Muhire Munyarugero, the family’s patriarch. “You have to be able to stand for it. If I have been able to stand for my life in insecurity, it is easier to stand for my life when I have stability. In time, everything becomes easier.”
Muhire Munyarugero, 28, center right, is greeted by his case manager Birash Rimal, right, upon arrival with his sister and her six children at the Greater Rochester International Airport in Rochester, NY on Tuesday, February 4, 2014.
Serge Kamali, 18, brushes his hair with a toothbrush as he prepares to attend church for the first time since arriving in America. He said he did not have a comb but he wanted to look his best.
Dyna, Nyota, Sako, Aline and Eslon talk in the kitchen after returning from a grocery shopping trip to a wholesale store.
Dyna, Aline and Nyota Kamali climb the steps to their home after their first day of school in Rochester, NY. “What we want most is education for the children. That is my most favorite thing in America,” said their uncle Muhire Munyarugero. The Kamali children had to wait one month after arriving before they were able be placed in schools.
Nyirazana Munyarugero looks at clothes at All Nation Yesu Ni Jibu, an African clothing store. The family was unable to afford to buy new clothes, so they depended on donated clothes from a local charity and later purchased a sewing machine to make their own.
The Kamali family pose for a family portrait after the baptism of Serge, Dyna and Sako at Union Springs Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Union Springs, NY during the New York Conference of Seventh-Day Adventist Camp Meeting. From left to right: Nyirazana, Muhire, Aline, Serge, Nyota, Dyna, Sako and Eslon.
Eslon and Sako Kamali pray before eating dinner in their bedroom on July 4, 2014. As members of the Seventh-Day Adventist Christian Church they observed the Sabbath, beginning at sunset on Friday, rather than going out to see fireworks on Independence Day.
Serge Kamali, 18, sits on his bike on the front porch while wearing gold shoes that he shares with his brothers. “These are from Ethiopia. They don’t make them like this in America,” he said.
Aline Kamali timidly wades into the water at Frontenac Park in Union Springs, NY, She was wearing a make-shift dress because she did not bring any swimwear. Her younger sister, Nyota, loved swimming for the first time and her older sister, Dyna, was afraid of the water and did not go in.
Nyota, left, and Aline Kamali carry hand-washed laundry to their back yard to be hung out to dry. The family has a washing machine and dryer in their basement, but their mother Nyirazana prefers to do the laundry by hand because she finds it relaxing.
Sako, left, and Nyota Kamali prepare for church. Sako and his two brothers share a bedroom. Nyota sleeps with her mother but spends time in her two sisters’ bedroom.
Nyota Kamali throws snow in the air as she plays outside during one of the first accumulating snowfalls in Rochester, NY. When the Kamali family first arrived, they were afraid of the snow and feared that the seasons would never change.
Chaney Roko, 34, is a single mother of two adopted children. Mary, 9, and her sister Kiera, 4, both have Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita, a rare neuromuscular disease that bends the body’s joints at birth. The disease prevents the girls from speaking, walking, breathing and eating on their own. The only way to correct these issues is through serial casting, which forces the disrupted bone structure back into a normal state. Growing up, Chaney’s family adopted a young girl who was also diagnosed with AMC. To take care of her two daughters, Chaney quit her job in order to be a full-time mother.
Chaney carries Mary playfully through their home on Oct. 19, 2014 on Lincoln St. in East Rochester, N.Y. In the wintertime, it is hard for Chaney to take her daughters outside. For fun, Chaney likes to carry Mary around the house and tell her she is flying.
Chaney watches TV with Kiera (left) and Mary. Each evening before bedtime, Chaney relaxes with her daughters by watching a movie in the living room.
With the help of her mother Karen, Chaney pushes Mary up the driveway on Lincoln Street in East Rochester, N.Y. Because Mary cannot walk, she uses a wheelchair wherever she goes. Rochester’s snowy winters create a challenge for Mary and her wheelchair whenever they go outside.
Marcy Reeves, left, reads to elementary school students at East Rochester High School on Dec. 13, 2014 in East Rochester, N.Y. Chaney and Karen brought Kiera and Mary to the free reading sessions for a change of pace and to get the girls out of the house during the winter. During the holidays, the local high school hosts a series of public shows and events performed by high school staff and students alike.
A small sampling of the medical supplies used to feed Mary and Kiera are laid out in the morning. Each day, Chaney cleans the previously used tubes with alcohol to keep them sanitary. Because they are unable to consume food on their own, they must be fed water-based foods through a tube.
Chaney holds Kiera during a series of back muscle spasms on Oct. 19, 2014 in East Rochester, N.Y. The muscle spasms force her body to shake, sometimes for several minutes each time. Although they happens with some frequency, the spasms still upset Chaney.
Kiera, left, watches a movie while Chaney teaches to sew during Mary’s homeschooling session. Due to Mary’s medical condition, the local elementary school is not able to accommodate her educational needs.
Chaney watches over a napping Kiera on Oct. 19, 2014 in East Rochester, N.Y. Letting the children nap during the day allows Chaney to have a few minutes to herself to watch television or read.
Chaney wraps her feet around Mary’s legs to help support her while she stands in her leg braces.
Chaney carries her daughter Kiera up to bed. Chaney wants to move out of her two-story home into a ranch in order to accommodate to her children’s needs, however she faces financial issues that prevent that from occurring anytime soon.
Chaney puts a nylon cast on Mary’s wrist to prevent her wrist from incorrect growth while she sleeps.
After a long day of taking care of her children, Chaney relaxes on the family room couch. Each night she has a few hours alone to relax until the night nurse comes to monitor the children while they sleep.
In the Mormon religion’s document entitled “Family”, it states; “We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the Earth remains in force.” Courtney and Cameron Larson of Lima, New York, wanted to fulfill their religious duty and faithfully worked to have a family for a couple of years. Eventually they tried Intra-uterine insemination – IUI – and the third attempt proved to be the charm – in a very big way. On March 12, 2012 Courtney gave birth to quadruplets; Ashlyn, Brody, Cooper, and Kylie. Today, Courtney and Cameron struggle to balance their time raising four toddlers in their “terrible twos” as well as finding some quiet time for themselves.
Cameron and Courtney Larson play piggy-back with their two-year old quadruplets before bedtime on March 21, 2015.
Courtney feeds extra nutrients to Brody through a feeding tube connected to his stomach before they go to Sunday church. Brody has developmental issues with his esophagus so he doesn’t eat as much on his own.
(L-R) Brody, Kylie, Ashlyn, and Cooper eat dinner in their custom-made table. The table was made for families with multiple children and has built-in seats for each child.
Courtney sits with Brody while Kylie has one of her “daily temper-tantrums”. On the other side of the room, Courtney’s husband Cameron sits with Cooper while Ashlyn bounces on the trampoline. Courtney and Cameron play with their quadruplets in the basement to get away from the television and interact together on a regular basis.
After playing in the park for an hour, Kylie threw a temper tantrum so Courtney decided it was time to leave. While Courtney strapped Kylie into her car seat, Cooper began to cry because he didn’t want to leave the park.
Courtney and the quadruplets (L – R) Kylie, Ashlyn, Cooper, and Brody make their way inside after the school bus drops them off in front of their house. The quads attend school Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays and return home at around 12:30 P.M. each day.
Growing frustrated, Courtney attempts to cajole a stubborn Ashlyn to eat her lunch. This is very unusual for any of quadruplets who usually eat most of the meals and share a sippy cup that the children refer to as their “ba ba.”
Ashlyn, Brody, Cooper, and Kylie watch television while Courtney prepares snacks in the kitchen. Courtney often turns on the television to distract the children while she prepares food or does chores around the house.
Chaos reigns as Brody, Cooper, Ashlyn, and Kylie Larson celebrate their third birthday during a party on March 6, 2015. Their actual birthday was on March 12 but the family celebrated earlier so more family members and friends could join in the festivities.
Kylie and Brody ride their toy cars through Courtney’s legs and around the rest of the house. The children enjoy racing their cars around the house for fun.
Courtney takes a moment to rest before she puts the quads – Ashlyn, Brody, Cooper, and Kylie – to bed. Most nights they are a hand full to get into bed, even with the help of Cameron.
Cameron and Courtney watch a movie to unwind after a long day. Most nights they fall asleep on the couch or go to bed early because they are so exhausted and drained from Cameron’s job and taking care of the quadruplets.
Megan and Jeremy Frank have been married for eight years. Jeremy has been in the Army for ten years and has completed two tours in Iraq. In April, they adopted two-year-Abigail, whom they had been caring for since she was 8 days old. In August, Megan gave birth to a baby girl, Hadley. Jeremy currently recently is stationed in Fort Benning, Georgia, leaving Megan to raise the girls on her own. )
Jeremy Frank greets his two-year-old adopted daughter, Abigail Frank during a visit from Georgia where he is stationed in the Army. December 5, 2014.
The Frank family, (From L-R,) Abigail Frank, Megan Frank, Jeremy Frank, and Hadley Frank, spend quality time together before Jeremy returns to Georgia. Jeremy has been trying to transfer to Rochester to be closer to the family but has yet to have any success. December 9, 2014.
Abigail Frank cries as Jeremy says goodbye. Jeremy Frank was home for five days before he had to return to his base in Georgia. He says itÕs hard coming back and seeing how much the girls have grown and changed since his last visit. December 9, 2014.
Megan Frank, Hadley Frank and Abigail Frank(not shown) Facetime with Jeremy in Georgia. The family tries to Facetime with him at least once a day so he can say hello to them and catch up.
Megan Frank yawns during a visit to her sister’s house. Her nieces Nora Graham and Kate Graham play with Abigail and baby Hadley during their visits. The two families often help each other out by swapping child-care duties and play times. Nov. 13, 2014.
Megan Frank struggles with Hadley Frank, Abigail Frank and all their paraphernalia as they head into the house after a visit to Megan’s sister’s house. The girls stayed up later than usual for the visit and will go to bed as soon as they get inside. December 13, 2014.
Megan Frank has a quick FaceTime with Jeremy Frank before heading to her part-time job. In the meantime, her mother, Mary Ellen Graham, keeps Abigail occupied. Megan will take the girls to the babysitters on her way to work. Megan works part time to help support her kids while Jeremy is in Georgia.
Abigail Frank plays in the snow on the way to the car. Megan will take Abigail and Hadley Frank to the babysitters house on the way to her part-time job as a secretary at a law office. December 12, 2014.
Abigail Frank carries coloring books into the babysitterÕs house ahead of Megan Frank and Hadley Frank. The girls attend daycare three days a week while their mom works. December 12, 2014.
Megan Frank disciplines Abigail Frank because she is cranky and misbehaving. After a long day both of them are exhausted and ready to go to bed. December 13, 2014.
Megan Frank changes Hadley Frank’s diaper to get her ready to go for a bath. Two-year-old Abigail Frank can’t wait and starts playing with the water in the bathtub in the background. Nov. 11, 2014.
After a long day, an exhausted Megan Frank tries to get some holiday shopping done online while trying to hold a fussy and squirming Hadley Frank. December 13, 2014.
Jessmarie (Jessie) Sanchez, 23, is a single mother of her daughter, Carmen Sanchez, 6. Jessie is just recently engaged to William Tisdale, 24. Jessie is in the process of moving from her mother’s house to her new apartment with her fianc and daughter. She is starting a new path in her life and wants to make the best for her daughter.)
Jessmarie (Jessie) Sanchez, 23, and her fiance, William Tisdale, 24 carry boxes into Jessie’s mother’s house in Rochester, N.Y. on March 13, 2015. Jessie is moving to her first apartment on her own, “I do what I do to be the best parent for Carmen.”
Jessmarie (Jessie) Sanchez, 23, moves a dresser out of her mother’s house while her daughter, Carmen Sanchez, 5 watches from her previous room in Rochester, N.Y. on April 1, 2015. Jessie says her mom is worried about her moving on her own, over a phone call with her mom she says, “I’m gonna be okay.”
Jessmarie (Jessie) Sanchez, 23, packs up her daughter’s room in Rochester, N.Y. on March 13, 2015. Jessie is moving to her first apartment on her own, “I do what I do to be the best parent for Carmen.”
Jessmarie (Jessie) Sanchez, 23, is moving her things out of her mother’s house in Rochester, N.Y. on April 1, 2015. “My stomach hurts, I’m nervous,” Jessie said as she drove to pick up the keys to her new apartment on Chili Ave. in Rochester, N.Y.
Jessmarie (Jessie) Sanchez, 23, walks through her first apartment on her own for the first time since it has been emptied out and cleaned by the previous owners in Rochester, N.Y. on April 1, 2015. Jessie says, “I want nothing from my past to hinder my future.”
Jessmarie (Jessie) Sanchez, 23, walks through her first apartment on her own for the first time since it has been emptied out and cleaned by the previous owners in Rochester, N.Y. on April 1, 2015. Jessie says, “I want nothing from my past to hinder my future.”
Carmen Sanchez, 5, helps her mom, Jessie, move things into their new apartment in Rochester, N.Y. on April 1, 2015. Not only is this Jessie’s first apartment on her own, but is closer to Carmen’s school .
Jessmarie (Jessie) Sanchez, 23, dances with her fiance William Tisdale, 24, in her new apartment in Rochester, N.Y. on April 1, 2015. “He gets on my nerves sometimes, but sometimes he’s a sweetheart,” Jessie says about Will.
Jessmarie (Jessie) Sanchez, 23, and her friend, Alysha Rodrigueze, 20, pull up a mattress through the window in Jessie’s new apartment in Rochester, N.Y. on April 1, 2015. The bed would not fit through the front door so they had to get creative.
Jessmarie (Jessie) Sanchez, 23, her fiance William Tisdale, 24, and her daughter, Carmen, 5, sit on the steps of her new apartment in Rochester, N.Y. on April 1, 2015.
Jessmarie (Jessie) Sanchez, 23, and her friend, Alysha Rodrigueze, 20, rest at the end of a long day moving in Rochester, N.Y. on April 1, 2015. “You deserve it. You should have a castle,” Alysha says to Jessie. They met when Alsyha was 16 and have been friends since.
Every year Malay women arrive at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) on full government scholarships to study biotechnology. As they pursue their college education on a campus approximately 9,000 miles away from home, the women form tight-knit relationships with each other. This family-like structure helps them deal with the challenges of cultural differences, maintain their studies and remain committed to their Islamic faith.
After riding throughout the village, Ameirya Mohd parks her moped in front of her home in Felda Neram 1, Kuantan, Malaysia. July 20, 2014.
Aqlili Riana’s bedroom wall filled with pictures of friends and religious reminders. May 9, 2012.
Norazleen Hashim holds her niece, Adelia while shopping with her mother in Klang, Selangor, Malaysia on Aug 8, 2014.
Fatini’s aunt’s cut and collect lemongrass to prepare a dish for the celebration of Eid al fitr and end of the Ramadan month. July 27, 2014.
After a full day of fasting together, the women gather around dishes of traditional Malaysian food, Rochester N.Y., May 8, 2014.
Zur Raiha and Filza Zaheera walk across the RIT campus to class, Nov 21, 2014.
The women prepare for the lab in their Tissue Cultures class at the College of Science at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) on Dec 4, 2013. Left to right : Aiman Rosdi, Norazleen Hashim, Kilala Rahman, and Fatini Busairi
Aqlili Riana works under black light in her genetic engineering lab at RIT, Apr 19, 2012.
Nadia Mohd laughs as her youngest sister, Amieyra jumps on her brothers back at Teluk Chempedak Beach, Kuantan, Malaysia, July 23, 2014.
Norazleen pushes Filza down a hill on campus, Dec 14, 2013. This was Filza’s first time sledding.
After the night prayer, Aiman, Nadia, Norazleen and Fatini sit together on their staircase at their apartment in Rochester NY. Dec 10, 2014.
The girls gather around to take a “selfie” at their apartment in Rochester, NY. Sep 6, 2014.
Feature
A candid, un-posed photograph that reflects the human experience, celebrates life, or chronicles a cultural trend. Respect for the dignity of the subject is important.
Yvonne Guest strokes the forehead of her brother-in-law Dan Nagele as he lies in bed at his home in in Avon, N.Y. Nagele’s adopted daughters Kyra Nagele, 18 (left) and Shanna Cunningham, 25 (right), console Dan shortly before he died on Monday, February 16, 2015. Dan suffered from Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis disease, (NASH) which is a fatal liver disease that resembles alcohol liver disease, but occurs in people who drink little or no alcohol. Because Dan’s wife, Loretta died in 2009 from cancer, his death left Kyra and Shanna with no parents.
Robert Langley of Andover, Mass. holds the hand of his daughter Sarah, 9, as they hang in a web of hammocks. “We’re not telling your mother about this”, Robert said to Sarah. The hammocks were being sold by a vendor on the Charles River Esplanade in Boston, Mass. on June 14, 2014.
The Larson quadruplets (Left to Right) Ashlyn, Brody, Cooper, and Kylie watch television while their mother Courtney Larson prepares snacks in the kitchen. Courtney often turns on the television to distract the children while she prepares food or does chores around the house.
Rochester Institute of Technology student Sachin Gawande (cq) is soaked by a garden hose during the Indian Holi Festival of Color, April 26, 2014 on the RIT campus in Henrietta, New York.
Arian Macklia, a member of the Free Spirit Brass Band, plays his Tuba in the French Quarter in New Orleans, LA.
News
A photograph from a news event, social issue for which planning was possible, or breaking news or unplanned event taken in the course of daily coverage.
Ramsey (NJ) Firefighters project water onto the Avalon apartment complex during a 5-alarm fire on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2015 in Edgewater, N.J. The fire, which displaced nearly 1,000 people was caused by a plumbing repair that ignited a fire in the wall which quickly spread through the building. No fatalities were reported.
Vilnius police officers Zilvinas Adomaitis and Andrey Gubanov subdue a drunk and disorderly man who he resists arrest in an apartment stairwell. The drunk man’s wife, who claimed her husband threatened to kill her, made the call for police. However, she did not want to press charges. He was legally drunk based on a breathalyzer test. This was one of two calls that day involving drunk men threatening their wives. According to figures from the World Health Organization’s recent “Global Report on Alcohol and Health 2014,” Lithuania is listed as the third heaviest-drinking country in the world. Among other things, alcoholism is seen as a contributing factor to Lithuania’s suicide rate.
Francesca Cesare kisses her husband Robert’s tombstone on Thursday, August 14, 2014 in Saratoga National Cemetery in Saratoga, N.Y. Robert died in 2014 of three different cancers allegedly related to exposure to Agent Orange during his combat tour in Vietnam for the United States Army.
Residents look out of an apartment window on Lake Avenue as police evacuate Ontario Beach Park after reports of gunshots on May 26, 2014. The park is located in Rochester, N.Y.
Sports Action
A photograph that captures peak actions of individual or team sports.
First Place – Michael Owens
RIT’s Anka Parzych (#24) makes a shot on goal as Union’s Allie Supranowic (#2) leaps to block the shot at the Tiger Stadium on the RIT campus in Henrietta, NY on October 25, 2014. The RIT Tigers later went on to defeat Union, 2-1.
The Czech Republic’s Martin Snitil and Jindrich Kitzberger sweep a stone down the ice at the Le Gruyère European Curling Championships on 11/22/2014. The Czech Republic ended up in 5th place after losing a tie-breaker to Norway.
Third Place – Michael Owens
RIT Tiger Josh Mitchell (#25) takes a hard check to the boards from The Air Force Academy’s Dan Weissenhofer (#11) during the 3rd period of game 1 of the quarterfinals o f the Atlantic Hockey Conference quarterfinal series on March 13, 2015 at the Gene Polisseni Center. The RIT Tigers defeated the Air Force Falcons 2-1 and went on to eventually win the Conference Champsionship.
Aaron Hofsass skis through fresh snow in an out-of-bounds location on the backside of Whitefish ski area, Whitefish Montana. Jan 18, 2015 Skiing over a ski area boundary, referred to as side country skiing, can be dangerous for unskilled skiers and in many states is punishable by law.
Rochester Institute of Technology Tigers swimmer, Justin Morris, competes in a dual meet action against Oswego on in the Gordon Field House on the RIT campus on October 22nd, 2014.
Sports Feature
A photograph that increases understanding and appreciation for individual and team sports or celebrates the role athletics play in the lives of amateur and/or professional athletes and fans.
RIT senior Brad Mayville celebrates after pinning Brockport’s Jordan Dyer to win the 149 pound bout during RIT senior night in Henrietta, NY on Jan. 28, 2015.
Hamburg Varsity competitive cheer teammates Maya Fagnan, below, and Ava O’Hara, above, peer through curtain holes to watch another team perform during the NY State Public High School Athletic Association State Cheerleading qualifiers cheer competition on March 7, 2015 in Henrietta, N.Y.
(From left) Rochester Grizzlies players Shanley, Lexi Firkins and Serena Angelo rest after the second period of their first game against Troy-Albany on March 6, 2015. The Grizzlies were losing 0-1 at the end of the second period but came back to win the game 2-1 in a shootout.
(Left to right) Alfred State players Tyler Sanders, Deek Kanther, Bryan Sampson, and Jordan Sealey walk towards the locker room after losing to the University of Rochester, 35-21, at Pioneer Stadium on Saturday, September 13, 2014 in Alfred, N.Y.
(Left to right) Danny Harris, Danny Miller, and Elias Owen, celebrate after RIT scores to tie Holy Cross 3-3 with one minute left during a regular season game at the Gene Polisseni Center Nov. 7, 2014 in Henrietta, N.Y. The game finished in a 3-3 tie after one overtime period.
Portrait/Illustration
A photograph that is contrived, posed or otherwise set-up in any way. Digital and photographic manipulation is allowed. A photograph may be used as source material for the conceptual illustration, or the photograph may be totally artificially produced.
Brittney, 16, waits for her OB/GYN during one of her prenatal check-ups in Brighton, NY on June 27th, 2014. Her doctor thought Brittney was in danger of delivering early, so she put Brittney on weekly check-ups during the last six weeks of her pregnancy. She delivered a healthy boy, Dylon James Hendricks, four days early after going through 30 hours of labor. Rochester has the highest rates of teen pregnancy and birth in upstate New York.
Nevaeha (cq) Nelson, 11, poses for a portrait at the Future Boxing Club Gym in Rochester on November 24, 2014. Ya Ya, as she is called, had been boxing with Future Boxing Club for ten months.
RIT students Jackie Spaventa and Sarah Zuckerman have been in a relationship for about one year and have found comfort in each other. This portrait was made on Oct. 25, 2014.
Eddie Kestler, a commercial eel fisherman, stands on the eel weir he built in the Delaware River in the Catskills region of New York. Kestler grew up in New York City but found that he was much more comfortable being an outdoorsman in Upstate New York. “Everybody loves some good smoked eel!” he said. An eel weir, according to Wikipedia, “is an obstruction placed in tidal waters, or wholly or partially across a river, to direct the passage of fish. A weir may be used to trap…eels as they migrate downstream.”
2015 What We Do
The 2015 What We Do photojournalism competition was judged on Saturday, April 11, 2015 in Frank E. Gannett Hall on the RIT campus. The judges were selected by the RIT NPPA from a pool of alumni who have distinguished themselves in the photojournalism industry. The 2015 What We Do judges were Karen Cetinkaya, a photo editor at the New York Times, Leila Navidi, a staff photographer at the Minneapolis Star Tribune, and Seth Gitner, an assistant professor in the Newspaper and Online Journalism department at the Newhouse School at Syracuse University.
The competition is produced and sponsored by the RIT NPPA and the School of Photographic Arts and Sciences; prizes have been sponsored by The Gitner Family, Nikon Professional Services, The Kalish Visual Editing Workshop, and White House News Photographers Association.
Winning work will be on display at Booksmart Studio in the Neighborhood of the Arts in Downtown Rochester beginning May 1, 2015. The opening reception and awards ceremony will be held at Booksmart Studio on the evening of Friday, May 1.
The Gitner Family
Nikon Portfolio Award – Jaclyn Molloy
Gitner Family Award – Tom Brenner
Kalish Award for Picture Editing Portfolio – Flannery Allison
Flannery Allison’s portfolio can viewed here as a PDF
Picture Story
A candid, un-posed story or essay that reflects the human experience, celebrates life, or chronicles a cultural trend, important social, economic, or political issue.
First Place – Sarah Ann Jump
Second Place – Tom Brenner
Third Place – Jaclyn Molloy
Honorable Mention – Jaclyn Molloy
Honorable Mention – Jordan Roth
Honorable Mention –Kelly Jo Smart
Feature
A candid, un-posed photograph that reflects the human experience, celebrates life, or chronicles a cultural trend. Respect for the dignity of the subject is important.
First Place – Tom Brenner
Second Place – Zack DeClerck
Third Place – Jaclyn Molloy
Honorable Mention – Tom Brenner, Evan Ortiz
News
A photograph from a news event, social issue for which planning was possible, or breaking news or unplanned event taken in the course of daily coverage.
First Place – Tom Brenner
Second Place – Rugile Kaladyte
Third Place – Tom Brenner
Honorable Mention – Zack DeClerk
Sports Action
A photograph that captures peak actions of individual or team sports.
First Place – Michael Owens
Second Place – Flannery Allison
Third Place – Michael Owens
Honorable Mention – Kyle Hofsass, Michael Owens
Sports Feature
A photograph that increases understanding and appreciation for individual and team sports or celebrates the role athletics play in the lives of amateur and/or professional athletes and fans.
First Place – Bryan Bennett
Second Place – Tom Brenner
Third Place – Joanna Graham
Honorable Mention – Tom Brenner
Portrait/Illustration
A photograph that is contrived, posed or otherwise set-up in any way. Digital and photographic manipulation is allowed. A photograph may be used as source material for the conceptual illustration, or the photograph may be totally artificially produced.
First Place – Maureen MacGregor
Second Place – Jessica Plance
Third Place – Evan Ortiz
Honorable Mention – Sarah Ann Jump
Multimedia
First Place – Heather Casey
[vimeo 124174493 w=1000 h=562]
Second Place – Rugile Kaladyte
[vimeo 124239324 w=1000 h=619]
Third Place – Maureen MacGregor
[vimeo 113766295 w=1000 h=550]
Honorable Mention – Tom Brenner
[vimeo 117101327 w=1000 h=563]
Honorable Mention – Kim Bubello
[vimeo 120389163 w=1000 h=563] >
Honorable Mention – Sarah Ann Jump
http://www.newrootsproject.com/