Henry Wilson of Newport News enjoys a corndog in the food pavilion at the 36th Annual Poquoson Seafood Festival Friday October 14, 2016.

Bobby Autry walks along Museum Parkway as the sun begins to set over the James River Tuesday evening October 4, 2016.

The Norfolk State marching band entertains the crowd at halftime of the Battle of the Bay against Hampton University Saturday November 19, 2016 at Hampton University.

The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets react to the game as they eat pizza during the first half of the game against Miami University in Blacksburg, Va. Thursday, October 20 2016.

Judge John T. Cook listens as former Altavista police chief Kenneth Walsh testifies during a sentencing hearing in Campbell County Circuit Court on Wednesday October 5, 2016 in Rustburg, Va. Walsh was convicted of 15 felonies earlier this year and sentenced to six years total, with all but one being suspended.

Voters line up in voting booths to cast their ballots at Robious Elementary School on Tuesday Nov. 8, 2016.

People walk through a flooded road near City Line Apartments near Lassiter Drive Saturday evening October 8, 2016 as heavy rain from Hurricane Matthew hits the area.

Laurice Lanier-Trowell is reflected in a piano Wednesday afternoon November 30, 2016. Lanier-Trowell, a graduate of The Juilliard School, has performed on Broadway and in 2014 stepped away from the stage to take care of her mother. Lanier-Trowell will serve as the lead singer in “Collaborating in a Room Full of Art,” which will feature multiple local dance companies December 10 at the American Theatre in Hampton.

New Mariners Museum president and CEO Howard H. Hoege III takes over after a 15 years of service as an officer in the Army.

Russell Flammia was a Thomas Jefferson High School graduate, then taught at the school as a teacher for 34 years and now continues to volunteer with the Thomas Jefferson students. He stands outside of the high school he graduated from, as students stream out after the final bell on Wednesday Dec. 14, 2016.

Peninsula’s Demetri Banks (Woodside) attempts to take down Southside’s Breon Moseley (Tallwood) during the All-Stars football game held at the Powhatan Field in Norfolk on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016.

Sam Houston State punter Joseph Figenshaw (42) delivers a punt directly into a pack of James Madison defenders during the first half of an NCAA football game in Harrisonburg, Va., Friday, December 9, 2016.

A lone santa runs along 19th street in Virginia Beach, Va., during the Surf-n-Santa 5 Miler on Saturday, December 17, 2016. Over 5,700 runners dresses as santa ran on Saturday in an attempt to break the Guinness world record for the largest santa run in the world. Participants had to run the race in a five-piece santa suit that they received at registration to be counted in the final tally of participants.

Exhausted after a day of apartment hunting, Julissa Sosa, center, and Diamond Gilmore, right, take a moment to unwind in their hotel room. After being displaced from their Virginia Beach apartment complex due to asbestos, residents were left homeless and without their belongings. Although the apartment management company offered assistance with hotel expenses, time was running out and Sosa and Gilmore needed to find new places to live for their families.

More than 70 families were displaced after asbestos was discovered at Waypoint Lynnhaven in Virginia Beach, Va., in October 2016. In the weeks following, Waypoint residents have been faced with the difficulty of finding new places and have been told that they can only retrieve items from their apartments if they sign a waiver relinquishing rights to file a lawsuit.

Diamond Gilmore, Julissa Sosa and her fiancŽ, Phillip Barada, check a list of possible housing options during a day of apartment hunting on Tuesday, November 1, 2016. Originally, Sosa and Barada were trying to keep their two sons in the same schools, but they soon realized that with limited options, that wasn’t going to be possible. Gilmore, Sosa and Barada didn’t know each other prior to being displaced but have grown to become close friends.

After many days of scrambling to find housing, Julissa Sosa and her fiancŽ, Phillip Barada, go over paperwork for their new apartment with a leasing agent at the complex. Finding an apartment that fit within their budget, had a good school zone, and that had immediate vacancy was a challenge for the family.

Diamond Gilmore moves her and her 3-year old son’s belongings out of her hotel room and into Julissa and Phillip’s room on Wednesday, November 2, 2016. Although the apartment’s management company originally helped displaced families with hotel expenses, the time had run out and Diamond needed a place to stay.

Early in her apartment search, Diamond thought that she had found a place but after asking around about the area where the complex was located, she discovered that someone had been killed at the complex. Diamond uses help from public assistance to afford housing and it has been challenging for her to find a place that accepts the vouchers and that she feels is safe for her son.

Julian Barada, 4, holds the door for his dad as they move what is left of their belongings into their new home late on Thursday, November 3, 2016. “I’ve worked so hard to provide the things I have for my family, I just want my couch,” said Barada. The family had recently saved money to buy a new couch that’s currently still sitting in their old apartment, along with all of their other belongings that they’ve been barred from returning to get.

After making a trip to Walmart for air beds, pillows and a small television, Phillip, Julissa, Julian and Phillip Jr., spend their first night in their new apartment. “This was a bad idea,” reflected Sosa after attempting to unpack a small bag of clothing and realizing that she didn’t have any clothes hangers. “I just feel so unprepared,” she said.

(20161104) – (Broadway) Margaret Anderson, mother of Broadway native Bucky Anderson, who was killed during an IED attack in Afghanistan in 2010, gathers with family in the school’s locker room along with the Williams family, of Martinsburg, W.Va., and the Watson family, of Katy, Texas, before the start of Broadway’s Soldier Tribute Game. A crew from NFL Films was present to document the three families, who were finalists in last year’s “Together We Make Football” series, united for the annual game.

(20161104) – (Broadway) Broadway High School football players make their way to the field for warmups past a monument to alumni Brian “Bucky” Anderson, who was killed in Afghanistan in an IED attack while serving in the Army.

(20161104) – (Broadway) Broadway High School sophomore Justin Collier suits up in a special uniform for the annual Soldier Tribute Game. This year’s uniform invokes the Army Service Uniform as worn by former Broadway football player Brian “Bucky” Anderson, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2010 while serving in the U.S. Army.

(20161104) – (Broadway) A crew from NFL Films captures footage of Army Captain John Baer speaking to Broadway High School football players before the start of their annual Soldier Tribute Game.

(20161104) – (Broadway) Broadway High School football players embrace each other in the locker room before the start of their annual Soldier Tribute Game.

(20161104) – (Broadway) Army Captain John Baer touches a photo of former Broadway football player Brian “Bucky” Anderson as he leaves the Broadway High School locker room. Baer was Anderson’s platoon leader when the Broadway native was killed in action in an IED attack in Afghanistan in 2010.

Elizabeth and Arthur Lawrence Sr., share a kiss at the end of their wedding at New Weeping Mary Missionary Baptist Church in Chesapeake, Va., on Saturday, December 10, 2016. The couple has been married for 50 years but due to LawrenceÕs military career, they were unable to have a planned wedding and married in a quick ceremony in 1966.

Eva Stallings helps her sister, Elizabeth Lawrence, prepare for her wedding at New Weeping Mary Missionary Baptist Church in Chesapeake, Va., on Saturday, December 10, 2016.

Arthur Lawrence Jr., far right, checks on his mother, Elizabeth, far left, and aunt, Eva Stallings, prior to the start of her wedding at New Weeping Mary Missionary Baptist Church in Chesapeake, Va., on Saturday, December 10, 2016.

Bride Elizabeth carefully walks around the corner so as to not reveal her dress to groom, Arthur Lawrence Sr., prior to the start of their wedding at New Weeping Mary Missionary Baptist Church in Chesapeake, Va., on Saturday, December 10, 2016. The couple has been married for 50 years but due to LawrenceÕs military career, they were unable to have a planned wedding and married in a quick ceremony in 1966. Lawrence’s daughter, Elizabeth Coleman, planned a wedding for her parents.

The toes of Elizabeth Lawrence peek out from her shoes underneath her wedding dress at New Weeping Mary Missionary Baptist Church in Chesapeake, Va., on Saturday, December 10, 2016.

Arthur Lawrence Jr. sings during his parents wedding ceremony at New Weeping Mary Missionary Baptist Church in Chesapeake, Va., on Saturday, December 10, 2016.

Elizabeth and Arthur Lawrence Sr., center, exit the church with their children and grandchildren following their wedding ceremony at New Weeping Mary Missionary Baptist Church in Chesapeake, Va., on Saturday, December 10, 2016 following their wedding. The couple has been married for 50 years but due to LawrenceÕs military career, they were unable to have a planned wedding and married in a quick ceremony in 19

The family of Elizabeth and Arthur Lawrence Sr., watches on as they greet their guests before sitting down at their wedding reception at New Weeping Mary Missionary Baptist Church in Chesapeake, Va., on Saturday, December 10, 2016.

FEATURE:
FIRST: Rob Ostermaier, The Daily Press
SECOND: Jonathan Gruenke, The Daily Press
THIRD: Rob Ostermaier, The Daily Press
HM: Heather Rousseau, Roanoke Times

Submissions were really solid in the features category. The first place image was chosen for its whimsical, “slice of life” quality. Good color and quiet moment in the second place image was pleasing. Third place image was a success by making an ordinary moment stand out through a unique perspective. We give honorable mention the military students eating pizza while cheering because, although a good image, there was a bit more potential for that moment.

NEWS:
FIRST: Lathan Goumas, The News & Advance
SECOND: Shelby Lum, Richmond Times-Dispatch
THIRD: Jonathan Gruenke, The Daily Press

We felt this category could’ve been stronger. The first place image was a good example of a telling moment in a courtroom setting that conveyed the judge’s emotion. The image of the diver was unique, but prompted too many questions and lacked context,therefore not strong enough to place.

PORTRAIT:
FIRST: Jonathan Gruenke, The Daily Press
SECOND: Rob Ostermaier, The Daily Press
THIRD: Shelby Lum, Richmond Times-Dispatch

The winning image in this category shows creativity in the approach. Good use of light and the reflection highlighted both the subject and her craft in a unique way. The second place image shows resourcefulness in the way the photographer utilized technical skill to deal with a difficult background effectively. Third place images was clean and aesthetically pleasing, but try to avoid cutting off limbs, i.e. feet.

SPORTS:
FIRST: Aileen Devlin, Daily Press
SECOND: Daniel Lin, Daily News-Record
THIRD: Kristen Zeis, The Virginian-Pilot

First place image shows great peak action, capturing the competitiveness of the game. Great field position by the photographer went a long way in being able to capture the second place photo. We felt this was a unique football photo. The third place image was humorous and broke some of the traditional rules of sports photography. Bravo!

MULTIPLE:

FIRST: Kristen Zeis, The Virginian-Pilot
SECOND: Daniel Lin, Daily News-Record
THIRD: Kristen Zeis, The Virginian-Pilot

First place story has full narrative arch with strong moments. Photographer was able to gain access on an intimate level that helped in making compelling images. Second place story showcased an interesting annual community event that included lots of emotion. Good variety of images. Third place was a nice story — good moments, nice portraits, and uniquely made images.