American Photography 29 Winners

Saudi Students Flood In as U.S. Reopens Door

United States, Saudi Students Flood In as U.S. Reopens Door, May 2012, Samar Almadani of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia speaks with another Saudi National and recent masters degree recipient during the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia Cultural Mission's Graduation Ceremony at the Gaylord Hotel, National Harbor, MD. The graduation ceremony is part of the higher education program initiated in the wake of September 11th to improve relations between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia as well as train the nation's next generation of leaders. Despite exposure to Western mores, many of the graduates in attendance expressed a desire to move back to Saudi Arabia and maintain their traditional values.

Here She Comes, Ms. Veteran America and Her Army

"Here She Comes, Ms. Veteran America and Her Army," October 2012, Denyse Gordon, 39, a U.S. Air Force veteran and Gladys Hughes, 89, WWII Coast Guard veteran, hold hands at the end of the pageant, waiting for the winner to be announced. -- In October of 2012, 39 women from across the United States gathered to compete in a beauty and talent competition. While such events are ubiquitous in America, what set this one apart was the fact that all contestants were veterans from all branches of the U.S. Military. Some were active duty, some reserve, some retired, officers, enlisted- and they ranged in age from 21 to 89 years old. Ms. Veteran America, the first event of its kind, was conceived as a charity function with the idea of showcasing the female veterans talents beyond the uniform, unironically.

Homeboy Industries, one from a series for the article “House of Second Chances,” April 2012, the passion project of a Los Angeles priest has brought life reboots to hundreds of ex-cons, including one-time gang members and the former CEO of mega-construction company KB Home.