Apply for the $2,000 award to cover the cost of attending the NPPA Advanced Storytelling Workshop.
Deadline: August 1, 2025
CHRIS WHEELER began his career at WTOL-TV in Toledo, Ohio. His life changed when NPPA legend Darrell Barton called to offer a job at KTVY (now KFOR) in Oklahoma City. He next went to work at KARE-11 News in Minneapolis, where he was named the 1987 NPPA Television News Photographer of the Year. After working for several years at KUSA-TV in Denver, he transitioned into producing documentary films, the most notable being the series “How the West Was Lost,” which aired nationally on the Discovery Channel.
SONNY HUTCHISON’s entire career is rooted in photojournalism, with an extensive background in local TV news, including stints at Louisville’s WHAS-TV and KUSA-TV in Denver. He was a producer/director on the thirteen-hour documentary series “How the West Was Lost” for the Discovery Channel. Sonny was a Cinematography Fellow at the American Film Institute in Los Angeles and is a proud graduate of the 1975 NPPA Television Newsvideo Workshop.
This scholarship is offered to aspiring photojournalists who need financial assistance to attend the NPPA Advanced Storytelling Workshop. Sonny Hutchison and Chris Wheeler believe the workshop’s mentoring and professional interactions can profoundly impact a photojournalist’s life. The NPPA’s workshop provides eye-opening experiences giving photojournalists fresh perspective and instilling confidence and skills in visualizing their stories. A great workshop can change you. And your vision can change the world. The award is for people who might not otherwise be able to attend the NPPA Advanced Storytelling Workshop.
It is open to working professional video photojournalists with at least two years of full-time experience or to accomplished students with a professional portfolio that includes at least three stories they have shot and edited.
Rules for Application
1. This award is open to a working professional video photojournalist wishing to attend the NPPA Advanced Storytelling Workshop.
2. The applicant must have at two years full-time employment as a video photojournalist or to accomplished students.
3. Applicants should upload up to 3 video stories they shot and edited and demonstrate their storytelling abilities. These must be uploaded, links to online clips will not be accepted.
Note this award is NOT intended for beginning video photojournalists.
To apply, proceed to Picter where you will be prompted to register for a free account.