A body of work that showcases the photographer’s vision and demonstrates versatility, expertise, and depth.
Third Place: Hannah Murphy
Ian King (left) hugs his father Brian King while dressed in his halloween costume to participate in the “No Kings: We’re Not Going Back” rally and march in downtown Rochester, a part of the nationwide “No Kings” day of protests against the Trump administration at Genesee Gateway Park on Oct. 18, 2025 in Rochester, N.Y. Brian and his wife Amanda King found it important to participate in this protest because they don’t know how many more opportunities they will have. “We wanted [Ian] to grow up knowing that this is what we are supposed to be doing,” Amanda says.Rochester Institute of Technology student members of the Corner Crew celebrate after Tilli Keranen #28 scores a goal against Delaware at Gene Poliseni Center on Dec., 6, 2025 in Rochester, N.Y. The RIT Tigers beat Delaware with a 4-2 win.Adam Tripp joins other protestors outside of Naples High School who are seeking Patrick Freivald, a Naples High School physics and robotics teacher to be fired due to a Facebook post he made about Charlie Kirk’s recent death saying things such as “Good riddance to bad garbage,” on Sept. 20, 2025 in Naples, N.Y. Tripp claims he does not agree with celebrating the death of any human life and that, “Frievald’s comments were disgusting and he shouldn’t be around children.”Rochester Institute of Technology students on the men’s club rugby team are lifted by their teammates to practice lineouts on the RIT Turf Field on Sept. 17, 2025, in Rochester, N.Y.Brendan McCollum vomits in a trash can after running in the Men’s 500m Final at the Nazareth University Alumni Meet at Golisano Training Center on Dec. 5, 2025 in Rochester, N.Y. McCollum finished second with a final time of 1:06.65.Alex Shepherd and her partner Hans Rasschaerd share an intimate moment together at “Submergence”, the large immersive walk-through experience at Rochester Fringe Festival on September 9, 2025 in Rochester, N.Y.
Wherever She Goes, Sweetness Grows
Jennifer Walsh has dedicated her career to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through her work with Special Olympics Massachusetts and Milford High School. After retiring, she continued her mission by co-founding the Aaron Zenus Foundation in honor of Aaron Zenus, a young boy who passed away in 2019 at the age of 12 due to complications from the flu. Through this foundation, she helped create Sweet Inspirations, a non-profit candy store that provides meaningful vocational and employment opportunities to those in the IDD community in a safe and supportive environment. Her lifelong commitment to uplifting others has made her a true hero to the many lives she has touched.
Sweet Inspirations employee Bobby Pouliot lovingly embraces Jennifer Walsh on Nov. 14, 2025, at Sweet Inspirations in Milford, M.A.Sentimental objects and a photograph of Jennifer Walsh’s two sons sit on a side table on Nov. 14, 2025 at her home in Milford, M.A.Jennifer Walsh packs homemade rainbow cookies she made for her granddaughter Elaine on Nov. 14, 2025, at her home in Milford, M.A. Elaine loves it when Jennifer bakes things, so she requested rainbow cookies for her birthday.Jennifer Walsh shows employee Kathleen “Katie” Annis and her 1:1 Leticia a photo of her homemade rainbow cookies while Kathleen makes favors for an upcoming birthday party on Nov. 14, 2025, at Sweet Inspirations in Milford, M.A. “We do a lot of special order stuff that we make ahead of time, and she has a birthday party this weekend so that’s why Katie’s making the favors,” Jennifer says, “But there’s always something to do.”Jennifer Walsh calls her husband Jim Walsh for help filling out Melissa “Missy” Peckham’s Sweet Inspirations job application paperwork on Nov. 14, 2025 in Milford, M.A.Dan Duest lovingly taps his daughter Kelsie Duest on the cheek while he drops her off before her shift at Sweet Inspirations on Nov. 14, 2025, in Milford, M.A. Jennifer’s favorite part of the day is when the individuals arrive at the store in the morning.Sweet Inspirations Store Lead Krissy Ferreira and Jennifer Walsh help Kelsie Duest pack bags of popcorn on Nov. 14, 2025, in Milford, M.A.Melissa “Missy” Peckham (left) shares a hug with Jennifer Walsh (right) while trying to teach her how to use a Cricket screen printer at Sweet Inspirations on Nov. 14, 2025, in Milford, M.A. “Hey, you find people’s strengths, and we teach to that strength,” Jennifer says to Melissa during her job interview earlier that day.Jennifer Walsh sits on her couch with her husband Jim and their two dogs Belle and Beast after a long day working at Sweet Inspirations on Nov. 14, 2025, at her home in Milford, M.A. “It’s a small world. And a lot of people need help, right?” Jennifer asks.
Through Her Eyes
Life is layered when it is seen through the eyes of a sister, both beside you and far away. This series follows the bond between Madi and Alicia Gentes, two sisters experiencing college together at Rochester Institute of Technology. It reveals the world through their shared and separate perspectives, showing how traces of one another remain in a photo, a piece of jewelry, or a stuffed animal from childhood. Through light, gesture, and atmosphere, it examines the balance of independence and love that defines their relationship. Rooted in the loss of my own sister when I was young, this piece gave me a glimpse of a connection I never had and celebrates the way love quietly persists both when we are together and when we are apart.
A detail image of the eyes of Madi (left) and Alicia (right) Gentes at Rochester Institute of Technology on Apr. 21, 2025 in Rochester, N.Y.A digital scan of Madi Gentes writing about her relationship with her sister Alicia, accompanied with an old photograph of them in their childhood.Madi Gentes poses for a portrait on her bed in her college dorm room while holding her stuffed rabbit at Rochester Institute of Technology on Apr. 20, 2025 in Rochester, N.Y. Alicia has a white stuffed rabbit to match Madi that they bought together.A detail image of Madi Gentes’ desk and decorations in her college dorm room at Rochester Institute of Technology on Apr. 20, 2025 in Rochester, N.Y.A detail image showing several polaroid photos of Madi and Alicia Gentes together taken over several years that Alicia keeps in her apartment at Rochester Institute of Technology on Apr. 20, 2025 in Rochester, N.Y.A digital scan of Alicia Gentes writing about her relationship with her sister Madi, accompanied with an old photograph of them at Alicia’s college orientation at Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, N.Y.A detail image of Alicia Gentes’ wall decorations in her college apartment at Rochester Institute of Technology on Apr. 20, 2025 in Rochester, N.Y.Alicia Gentes poses for a portrait on her bed in her college apartment while holding her stuffed rabbit at Rochester Institute of Technology on Apr. 20, 2025 in Rochester, N.Y.Madi and Alicia both pose for a portrait in Artesano’s Bakery and Cafe in Monroe Hall at Rochester Institute of Technology on Apr. 27, 2025 in Rochester, N.Y. Despite their busy schedules and chaos of daily life, Madi and Alicia sit together at Artesano’s at the table by the window every single day.
Posted: April 29, 2026 by Hannah Murphy
2026 Portfolio Third Place
A body of work that showcases the photographer’s vision and demonstrates versatility, expertise, and depth.
Third Place: Hannah Murphy
Wherever She Goes, Sweetness Grows
Jennifer Walsh has dedicated her career to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through her work with Special Olympics Massachusetts and Milford High School. After retiring, she continued her mission by co-founding the Aaron Zenus Foundation in honor of Aaron Zenus, a young boy who passed away in 2019 at the age of 12 due to complications from the flu. Through this foundation, she helped create Sweet Inspirations, a non-profit candy store that provides meaningful vocational and employment opportunities to those in the IDD community in a safe and supportive environment. Her lifelong commitment to uplifting others has made her a true hero to the many lives she has touched.
Through Her Eyes
Life is layered when it is seen through the eyes of a sister, both beside you and far away. This series follows the bond between Madi and Alicia Gentes, two sisters experiencing college together at Rochester Institute of Technology. It reveals the world through their shared and separate perspectives, showing how traces of one another remain in a photo, a piece of jewelry, or a stuffed animal from childhood. Through light, gesture, and atmosphere, it examines the balance of independence and love that defines their relationship. Rooted in the loss of my own sister when I was young, this piece gave me a glimpse of a connection I never had and celebrates the way love quietly persists both when we are together and when we are apart.
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