Calla Kessler, a junior journalism student, was one of four students to receive an award of excellence in the sports feature competition of the 71st College Photographer of the Year competition. Kessler submitted her photo “Untitled,” of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s women’s gymnastics team.
Kessler said the photo was part of a project she started on the women’s gymnastics team last year.
“As a female photojournalist, I thought I could identify with women competing in another male-dominated industry, sports,” Kessler said. “These incredible athletes work every day to be in top physical shape and to be their best selves, and I wanted my project to finally turn the spotlight toward a female team in a Big 10 school dominated by the male football and basketball teams.”
The CPOY competition has 18 categories, including spot news, general news, feature, sports action and sports feature, among others. More than 600 students from 130 colleges and universities enter the CPOY competition, which has grown larger each year from its inception in 1945.
The CPOY competition’s greatest benefit is that it educates photographers. According to its website, it instills educational value by requiring entrants to sort through all of their work to find the best photographs worth entering to show.
“It was exciting to receive recognition in the CPOY competition because it not only gave these athletes further attention, but it affirmed my hard work, as well,” Kessler said.