David Bradford from WJW-TV in Cleveland is the 2023 ONPA Television Photographer of the Year in a very competitive contest which only four points separated first and third places.
This is the first POY title for Bradford since he ran off a three year string of wins beginning in 2005. Bradford won first place in four of the six categories and his first place In-Depth Series entry, “Dragon Boat Survivors was selected as Best of Show.
For the second year in a row Chris Reece from WJW placed second in the contest. Joe Cromer from WTOL-TV in Toledo placed third.
For the third year in a row WBNS-TV in Columbus has won ONPA Station of the Year award.
David Bradford from WJW-TV, Cleveland wins his fourth ONPA Television Photographer of the Year Award.
Ali Ghanbari Television Photographer of the Year
1st – David Bradford, WJW-TV, Cleveland – 33 points
2nd – Chris Reece – WJW-TV, Cleveland – 32 points
3rd – Joe Cromer, WTOL-TV, Toledo – 29 points
4th – Megan Heady, WBNS-TV, Columbus – 20 points
5th – Bill Price, WBNS-TV, Columbus – 7 points
Best of Show
David Bradford,WJW-TV, Cleveland,“Dragon Boat Survivors”
General News
1st – David Bradford, WJW-TV, Cleveland, “Carefully Planned Surprise”
2nd – Joe Cromer, WTOL-TV, Toledo, “Graffiti Alley”
3rd – Scott Doelling, WBNS-TV, Columbus, “Class 116”
HM – Megan Heady, WBNS-TV, Columbus, “I’m Having So Much Fun”
In-Depth Series
1st – David Bradford, WJW-TV, Cleveland, “Dragon Boat Survivors”
2nd – Joe Cromer, WTOL-TV, Toledo, “Teens Killed By Gun Violence”
3rd – Chris Reece – WJW-TV, Cleveland, “Sextortion”
Award of Excellence – Scott Doelling, WBNS-TV, Columbus, “Governor Look Back”
Sports Feature
1st – David Bradford, WJW-TV, Cleveland, “Para Rider Dream”
2nd – Chris Reece – WJW-TV, Cleveland, “Slapfighting”
3rd – Megan Heady, WBNS-TV, Columbus, *Damar Hamlin”
Award of Excellence – Bill Price, WBNS-TV, Columbus, “Wormburner Golf”
Spot News
1st – Chris Reece – WJW-TV, Cleveland, “Akron Fatal Fire”
2nd – Megan Heady, WBNS-TV, Columbus, “Columbus Car Breakins”
3rd – Bill Price, WBNS-TV, Columbus, “Vandalism in Newark”
Personality Profile
1st – Joe Cromer, WTOL-TV, Toledo, *Blind Western Artist”
2nd – Chris Reece, WJW-TV, Cleveland, “Dylan’s Wish”
3rd – Scott Doelling, WBNS-TV, Columbus, “New CEO”
48-Hour Feature
1st – David Bradford, WJW-TV, Cleveland, “555th Honors Detachment (Triple Nickle)”
2nd – Bill Price, WBNS-TV, Columbus, “AED Is Not Mandated”
3rd – Megan Heady, WBNS-TV, Columbus, “Murph Challenge”
Award of Excellence – Joe Cromer, WTOL-TV, Toledo, “Ann Arbor Fairy Doors”
Television Station of the Year
WBNS-TV, Columbus
Entries were judged by Photojournalists Daniel Blommel, Alex Maxwell, Catherine Steward and Devin Crawford from WTVF in Nashville, Tennessee.