CSUN students dominated the student competition in the Press Photographers Association of Greater Los Angeles’ 2025 Annual Contest. Senior journalism major Benjamin Hanson was named Student Still Photojournalist of the Year at the ceremony, which took place April 11, 2026, in downtown Los Angeles. Blake Fagan, also a senior journalism major, and Anthony Tedesco ’24 (Broadcast Journalism) tied for runner-up. Each of the students submitted a portfolio of material from 2025. Judges noted that Hanson’s photos, which included several from protests around Los Angeles, were “well composed, including the use of unique angles and uncluttered backgrounds, helping to make the images immediately impactful.” All three students won cash awards — and Hanson also received new camera gear.
CSUN Senior Photographer Ringo Chiu ’01 (Special Major -Journalism) won numerous awards in the professional categories, including first place in Sports Action, second place in Photo Essay and third place in Picture Story, Spot News and Portfolio of the Year. He also received awards of excellence in the Fire, Feature, Spot News and Pictorial categories.
Chiu, a longtime member of the Press Photographers Association of Greater Los Angeles and its current treasurer, has worked with Fagan, who is his student assistant, and Tedesco, who served as his student intern in 2025. Hanson is a photographer for the Daily Sundial. Chiu, who also serves in the group’s student mentorship program, said it meant a lot to him to see three CSUN students win the top prizes.
“The last time this happened was back in 2002, when my classmate Jason Warner won,” Chiu said. “I still remember traveling with him to New York to cover 9/11.”
Chiu, who continues to work as a freelance news photographer, noted that 2025 was a very busy news year in Los Angeles.
“I saw many student photographers out there covering fires, protests and other major news events,” Chiu said. “That makes this recognition even more meaningful.”
Fagan said the PPAGLA is the first organization he joined for photojournalism and said the professional members have been instrumental in supporting his growth in his chosen field. Fagan, who covered many of the major news events during 2025, said being recognized for that work was very special.
“It was a long and chaotic year,” he said. “But I really worked hard to cover as much as possible and develop my eye for visual storytelling.”
