PEOPLE

Photography Award

SMC student honored by White House News Photographers Association

By Kamala Kirk

Santa Monica College student Ethan Swope, a film major and contributor for SMC’s student-run media outlet The Corsair, was named the 2022 White House News Photographers Association (WHNPA) ‘Eyes of History’ Student Still Photographer of the Year winner. Swope received the award at a gala in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 10. The judges for the WHNPA 2022 ‘Eyes of History’ Student still photography competition were Jabin Botsford of The Washington Post; Elizabeth Frantz (independent); and Stefani Reynolds of Agence France-Presse. “Swope had a great consistent style that shined through the range of stories,” Botsford said. Swope’s photojournalism professor Gerard Burkhart also came to Washington, D.C. to witness his student share the stage with visual journalism luminaries like four-time Pulitzer Price-winner Carol Guzy. “Ethan represents how far a student can go when they are self motivated,” Burkhart said. “Most of his award-winning work was from during the pandemic, when a vast majority of students were learning remotely. Ethan thrived covering major local and world events, and is an inspiration to an already inspired group of Corsair editors, photographers and writers.” Sharyn Obsatz, one of the SMC journalism professors advising the newsroom, added, “Ethan’s photojournalism expertise adds to the deep pool of talented SMC journalism students on staff. Professors serve as coaches, but the students truly learn so much from each other, and Ethan has a wealth of experience to share.” Swope began practicing photojournalism in his Marin County high school and is currently pursuing a major at SMC’s award-winning film program. While his work and camera have taken him all over the world, documenting places and communities he would not have been able to others, Swope said that being in Ukraine was particularly moving, but it was his work covering California wildfires that hit home. “Being a California native and seeing the impacts of climate change, and documenting it, is moving because the situation is only going to get more extreme,” Swope said. “This award means so much to me and I am honored that my work was recognized by the White House News Photographer’s Association,” Swope said. “I am excited to continue pursuing journalism here at SMC under the guidance of Corsair photo adviser/photojournalism professor Gerard Burkhart, and beyond. I could not have accomplished this honor without the trust the photo subjects who are in my photos gave me.” The WHNPA photo show featuring Swope’s work is expected to be on display in SMC’s library on its main campus after Thanksgiving. More details are forthcoming and full results from both contests are available on the WHNPA website.

Ethan Swope

ethanswope.com

White House News Photographers Association

whnpa.org/the-eyes-of-history Santa Monica College student Ethan Swope with his grandfather Hans Diessel at the White House News Photographers Association ‘Eyes of History’ Awards Gala in Washington, D.C., where Swope was named WNHPA Student Still Photographer of the Year.