1st Place, Portrait Personality - Ben Pennington / Ohio University, “Pastor Brandon”Pastor Brandon (who would not provide his surname for his own safety) poses for a portrait as visitors await their their turn to shop for free at the storehouse inside the Brick Church. “I lived a dangerous life,” said Brandon, reflecting on his life as a young man. “I was connected to the Chinese mafia … the cartel,” he continued. Now in his 40s, Brandon is helping lead the church’s operation to provide free services to those in need amid the largest HIV outbreak in Maine history.
2nd Place, Portrait Personality - Adam Cairns / The Columbus Dispatch, “Paper Mill”Jeff Allen stands outside the Pixele paper mill in Chillicothe, Ohio on Dec. 2, 2025. The third generation mill worker, as his dad and grandpa both worked there as well, has found a new electrician job after the mill closed earlier this year.
3rd Place, Portrait Personality - Phillip L. Kaplan / The Blade, “Trumpet”Dave Kosmyna play trumpet in The Cakewalkin' Jass Band as they greet friends and family, and play favored songs for a special tribute for beloved member Frank Ward at the original Tony Packo's Restaurant on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2025, in East Toledo. Ward died on Oct. 5, but played the cornet as an original member of the 58-year-old group that is a staple to Packo's.
