Photographer of the Year

This year's Photographer of the Year contest was judged by the photo staff of the St. Petersburg Times. The contest had 10 entries

Photographer of the Year
Michael Chow
The Arizona Republic

Michael Chow, 37, has been a staff photographer for The Arizona Republic and the late phoenix Gazette since 1989. This is the 10^th time he has been a finalist for Arizona Photographer of the Year — and his fourth win. He also was the National Press Photographers Association’s Region 10 Photographer of the Year in 1993 and placed second in 2001.
Although judges called their choice a tough one, they gave Chow the nod for his skill in capturing images that tell stories. Also, his “illustration and portraits are approached in simple, inventive ways that evoke an emotion from the viewer,” judges said. They had high praise for Chow’s photo story, “Mommy’s Gone,” which they called “wonderfully candid and intimate.”
After graduating from San Jose State University’s photojournalism program, Chow briefly worked for the Tacoma News Tribune. It didn’t take long for the rain to drive him to the desert.
Chow is married to Arizona Republic photographer Cheryl Evans and they have two kids: Brandon, 4, and Samantha 1-/2.

First runner-up
David Sanders
Arizona Daily Star
David Sanders of the Arizona Daily Star takes first runner-up in a contest judges called exceptionally close. Sanders, 39, has been a staff photographer for the Star since he had nice long hair — about 14 years ago. He was Arizona Photographer of the Year in 1996 and has been a finalist three times, including this year.   He has won numerous awards from the National Press Photographers Association and has traveled the world on freelance assignment for clients including The Discovery Channel, National Geographic Travel, GEO and Gammy Press Agency.
In this year’s Photographer of the Year competition, judges said Sanders had some of the best singles in the competition. They also praised his strong news coverage and use of telephoto. “Great collection of wildfire photos,” the judges said. “They demonstrate much hard work on a big news event.” Judges also singled out two illustrative portraits — one of UA coach Lute Olson and another of a wrestler — which they called “clever and technically well executed.”
Sanders holds an associate’s degree from Rochester Institute of Technology and a journalism degree from the University of Arizona. He and his wife, Laura, have three daughters — all under 60 inches tall — who Sanders says “look different every time I get back from an assignment.”

Second runner-up
Max Becherer
Arizona Daily Star

  Max Becherer, 27, has been a staff photographer with the Arizona Daily Star since February 2001. Since arriving at the Star, Becherer’s work has been honored by the Arizona Press Club, the Arizona Associated Press Managing Editors and the National Press Photographers Association’s Region 10. He has spent the past month in Kuwait and Iraq, covering the war — and Southern Arizona’s role in it — for the Star.
Becherer’s effective use of the wide-angle lens elevated him to POY finalist, judges said. They praised two of Becherer’s photo stories, which made up the bulk of his contest portfolio. “Story images have good variety and story telling, photographer clearly put in the time and effort. Adding one element will push Becherer’s photo stories to new heights, judges said, suggesting he seek out: “a more personal or private moment that reveals a subject’s vulnerability, or a moment that helps the viewer understand from where the subject derives their inner strength.”
Becherer graduated from San Jose State University’s photojournalism program in May 2000 and completed internships at The Bakersfield Californian, The Dubuque Telegraph Herald, Concord Monitor, The Boston Globe and the Minneapolis Star Tribune. He placed first in sports photo in the Student Photographer of the Year competition in 1997, was awarded the first prize Alexia Foundation Grant in 1999 and was a finalist for the William Randolph Hearst photojournalism awards in 1999.
Becherer grew up in Bakersfield, California, and enjoys pursuing his passion for photojournalism as well as restoring classic Volkswagens. With a little coaxing, he also does a mean Elvis impersonation.