BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. (WVDN) – The Professional Photographers of West Virginia, the state-level affiliate organization of the Professional Photographers of America, held their Annual Convention in Bridgeport, West Virginia, March 6-8, 2026, with Perry Bennett, photographer for the West Virginia State Legislature and owner of Perry Bennett Photography, named as the PPWV 2026 Photographer of the Year.
This year, more than 30 members from around and outside West Virginia attended the Convention, providing members the opportunity for professional development, networking, and education across various photographic specialties and genres.
Throughout the weekend, members learned about website development and online marketing best practices, attended a lecture on the history on Military Photography, learned about Adobe Lightroom Classic software best practices, and enjoyed working with their colleagues in a hands-on location and studio shooting session.
An important part of every PPWV convention is a juried image competition. Photographers submit the very best images they have created over the previous year in a variety of competition categories such as Portraits, Landscapes/Nature, Weddings, and Photojournalism/Reportage. The images are then scored by a panel of qualified, master photographer judges based on the national standard of PPA’s12 Elements of a Merit Image. Images receiving a score of 80 or above (based on a scale of 100), earn coveted merit recognition.
For 2026, members submitted a total of 223 images, the highest amount of entries over the past ten years. Fifty-seven percent of the submitted images (127) earned merit recognition.
“This year’s image competition was especially meaningful as it reflected both strong participation and strong work,” stated Image Competition Chairman Danny Leary, Master Photographer. “The sheer numbers of participants, images entered, and the total number of merits earned shows the commitment our photographers have to improving their craft. I’m incredibly grateful to see that level of enthusiasm and excellence on display.”
PPWV President Anthony Rumley, Master Photographer agreed.
“Our organization aims to enhance the photographic profession by providing top level
instructors and events designed to challenge our members to continue to excel in our profession,” said Rumley. “Seeing so many amazing images earn well-deserved recognition and seeing our members stretch their creative wings and visions to create such spectacular art is both humbling and exhilarating! We have some of the very best photographers in the nation right here in West Virginia, and the talent pool keeps expanding.”
Perry Bennett, photographer for the West Virginia State Legislature and owner of Perry Bennett Photography, earned recognition as the PPWV 2026 Photographer of the Year.
Bennett submitted a total of 25 images, of which 19 earned Merit scores. Those scores, paired with scores from imagery submitted during the PPWV Fall Seminar last year, combined to earn Perry the POTY title for 2026. He also won the award in 2025.
“Earning the title of POTY for the second year in a row is a great honor,” said Bennett. “I am thrilled to see my work judged so favorably and to carry such an esteemed title awarded by my colleagues and the organization.”
“PPWV seminars, workshops, events and conventions are like getting together with a whole different family,” stated PPWV member Matt Canterbury. “The sense of community is very strong, and the education and encouragement from other photographers is incredible! I always feel so welcomed and leave feeling invigorated and inspired.”
Many PPWV members were honored during an official awards banquet held Saturday evening. PPWV Past-President Susie Herndon was recognized with the Joseph Barta Award for service to the organization. Members Mike Maxson and Edwin “Bo” Wriston were recognized for earning the PPA designation as Certified Professional Photographer, and members Ed Conner, David P. McMasters, and Anthony Rumley were presented with Medallion Awards which represent achieving 25 or more total merits in PPWV competitions.
Individual awards for the 2026 included:
Walter E. Johnston Memorial Trophy for best black & white portrait
Dew Drop In White – Perry Bennett
George J. Kossuth Natural Color Award for best natural color portrait
Wrapped In Innocence – Matt Canterbury
Joseph Blackwood Trophy for best commercial image
1972 In Blue – David Buckwalter
Best Wedding Candid
His Little Girl Always – Danny Leary
Best Wedding Portrait
Held By Her Circle – Jamie Cox
Frank Mauritz Trophy for best wedding entry
His Little Girl Always – Danny Leary
Archibald Wallace Memorial Trophy for best pictorial or illustrative image
Blood Moon Eclipse – David Buckwalter
Phillips/Rittenhouse News Photo Award for best news photograph
Crescendo – Perry Bennett
Best Non-Event Album
Soda-licious – Brian Price
James H. Hall Award, awarded to the best image by a first time entrant
Gateway To Dallas – David Buckwalter
Best High School Senior Portrait
Getting Off Track – Matt Canterbury
Best Animal Portrait
The Cost of Freedom – Brian Price
Best Boudoir Image
Desires In Darkness – David Buckwalter
Best Children’s Portrait
Wrapped in Innocence – Matt Canterbury
Best Nature or Landscape Image
Gateway To Dallas – David Buckwalter
Barbara Sullivan Award for best open art image
Put On A Happy Face – Matt Canterbury
Nelson Paden Progressive Photographer, highest scoring client image by a PPWV member
Getting Off Track – Matt Canterbury
Dick Phillips Memorial Trophy, highest scoring image by a master photographer
Gateway To Dallas – David Buckwalter
American Society of Photographers Elite Award, highest scoring image by an ASP member
Big Ditch Sunrise – Ed Conner
CPP Award-Sponsored by PPA, highest scoring image by a certified professional photographer
White Farm – David McMasters
Judges Choice Awards
Gwen Meehan – Unfiltered by Danny Leary
David Foltz – Gone Before Us by Anthony Rumley
Fred Morton – Lines Between Light and Shadow
Presidents Cup Best of Show
Gateway To Dallas – David Buckwalter
Photographer of The Year, awarded to the photographer with the highest average score on entrants top six entries that also entered the previous year’s fall competition
Perry Bennett
Top 10 Photographers, as ranked by highest average scores.
David Buckwalter
Perry Bennett
Matt Canterbury
Anthony Rumley
Edwin L. “Bo” Wriston
Julius Wiggins
Rodney Patterson
Danny Leary
Brian Price
David P. McMasters
PPWV holds two major events per year, and multiple single-day gatherings for members to enjoy friendships, fun, and professional development. The organization is currently planning a summer photo excursion event and plans to help document community activities and events across the state both on WV Day June 20, and Independence Day July 4, to help celebrate the nations 250th anniversary. Their next Fall Seminar will be held September 11-13, 2026, in Summersville, West Virginia.
PPWV is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of photography as both an art and profession within the Mountain State. PPWV welcomes photographers at all levels from absolute beginners and hobbyist to seasoned professionals. Anyone interested in learning more about PPWV can view their website at www.ppwv.org, or contact Bo Wriston at 304-629-3735 or wristonphoto@gmail.com, or President Anthony Rumley at anthonyrumley@mac.com.
