FLINT, MI – MLive senior photojournalist Jake May earned top honors at the Atlanta Photojournalism Seminar, an international contest judged by leading photojournalists and editors from across the industry.
May won first place in the Sports Feature category for an image showing two Millington softball players embracing in the dugout following a season-ending loss.
He also earned second place honors in Sports Action for a dramatic photo capturing two heavyweight boxers flying out of the ring during an undercard bout at Claressa Shields’ Super Fight Sunday event in Flint.
May said the competition is significant within the field.
“It’s judged by some of the top photojournalists, photo editors and photo minds in the world,” he said.
May was surprised when he learned he had won.
“I got a Facebook message from a fellow photographer who congratulated me on the Atlanta award, and I didn’t even remember that it was being judged,” he said. “I was overseeing a play date with my stepdaughter and her friend and had to hold in my own excitement because she was reading silently in the corner.”
He said the recognition brought back memories of being a young photographer aspiring toward this level of work.
“I still get goosebumps when I think back to myself as a budding younger photographer in college, admiring the work posted through national and international contests, hoping someday that I’d have a seat at that table,” May said. “And I still have to pinch myself to know that some photographers found that my photos are at that level. It’s humbling and I’m incredibly gracious of the honor.”
May said the work reflects what he sees as the purpose of journalism.
“As journalists, we are mirrors. We listen with our full intent. We see to reflect what’s in front of us,” he said. “Same goes for pictures and words. It’s our duty to tell your story, and it’s a great privilege.”
May also noted the importance of locally made images receiving global recognition.
“There’s a lot of power in knowing that you can make heartfelt images for your community with empathy and purpose in your own backyard that can play out on a worldwide stage and help humankind connect,” he said.
He added one more reflection on his first-place softball image.
“It’s badass that a picture from high school sports coverage in Michigan is the prime example, the top example for what we aim to make,” he said. “And it’s for a high school sports assignment here in Flint. I love that, because it shows you can do this in your own backyard. You don’t have to wait for an opportunity to make great images at the Super Bowl or the World Series. They are happening every day in our community.”
Earlier this year, May was also a runner-up for the Jenkins Medal for Excellence in Sportswriting for his feature “In Hospice Care with Electric Blue Hair. And Dreams of a Detroit Lions Super Bowl.”
May thanked those who supported him.
“None of this is possible without the support of the people I work with,” he said. “And, of course, my family, my grandmother, my mother, my loving wife Elizabeth, as well as my creative and confident stepdaughter Remi.”
For a full list of winners, click here.
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