I’m honored to have served as an NPPA photojournalism judge for the December National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) Central Region contest.

A special thank you to my brother in photography, Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Ringo Chiu, who was absolutely instrumental in the judging process. His keen eye, editorial rigor, and commitment to ethical photojournalism made this experience both enriching and humbling.

You can view Ringo’s exceptional work and Pulitzer-recognized photojournalism at RingoChiuPhotography.com. His images are an excellent example of how strong composition, narrative pacing, and human-centered storytelling create lasting impact. Years ago, I had the pleasure of serving alongside Ringo as a board member of the Press Photographers Association of Greater Los Angeles (PPAGLA).

What is NPPA?

The National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) is the leading U.S. organization for visual journalists, founded in 1946. It supports 6,000+ members through ethical standards, advocacy for press freedom, education, and competitions. Serving as an NPPA photojournalism judge means applying that same code, accuracy, fairness, and respect for subjects, to every entry, the same standards I carry into the field when I’m photographing wildlife or leading a workshop for photography students.

Congratulations to all the winning photojournalists! You can see the winning images here: NPPA December 2025 Central Region Winners.