We knew that Lisa Krantz was a talented photographer and special lady from the first time we met her, in 2015 when she was assigned by the San Antonio Express News to photograph Rowan's Honorary induction into the Texas National Guard at Camp Mabry in Austin. Shortly after that she started following his story online and eventually began what would become a 2 year photo journalism project: "Rowan's Reach". Lisa took pictures of the good and the bad... from soccer games to emergency room trips, play practice to transplant, looking for Bigfoot to in a coma, from eating French fries to his funeral. Lisa was there for so much of Rowan's last two years of life, and even after he went to Heaven, both in Texas and in Seattle, she became like family.
"Rowan's Reach" was published on the front page of the San Antonio Express News this past Thanksgiving weekend, just 3 weeks before the one year anniversary of his death. It was a work of art, a true expression of his life, death, and ongoing legacy. We were very pleased with the piece, and so proud of her. Lisa's hard work, dedication, and her heart were evident in the story and photos that covered 5 full pages of the paper that Sunday. But what was to come, we could not have predicted. We knew she was good, but we didn't realize she was this good.
The following is a list of the awards and recognition she has already received for her work with Rowan, either from the entire "Rowan's Reach" newspaper article and photos, for individual photos she took of Rowan during this process, or for her online video footage and slideshow of Rowan. She is truly remarkable, and deserves every accolade she has earned.
➧Winner Photojournalism Award-American Society of News Editors Awards 2018
➧Winner Best Published Picture Story for Large Markets-NPPA Best of Photojournalism Contest 2018
➧Juror's Award "Rowan Rests"-A Smith Gallery 2018
➧10 Photo Stories That Will Challenge Your View Of The World-BuzzFeedNEWS
➧Pictures of the Year International Slideshow-75th Anniversary Show at the Newseum in Washington DC
➧Video shown on a big screen at a public photo event in a park in West Palm Beach Florida
➧Finalist in their prestigious annual award (and edited version of "Rowan's Reach" featured in their March 2018 edition)-"Days Japan" Magazine
➧1st Place for Online Slideshow & Best in Show for Online-National Headliners Contest 2018
...and perhaps the most exciting recognition...
➧Submitted by SA Express-News for 2018 Pulitzer Prize Award Consideration
"Rowan's Reach" was submitted for consideration for the 102nd class of Pulitzer prize awards. These were voted on this past Thursday and Friday, and the announcement of the winners will be made Monday, April 16th, at 3:00 pm Eastern Standard Time. Now, this one is obviously a long-shot. Not because Lisa is not talented or worthy, but there is some very tough competition and will more than likely be a more global or political submission, given the events of the past year. But, to even be submitted for a Pulitzer Prize is huge! We are so proud of Lisa, and of Rowan for having such an amazing life and legacy. They are changing the world. As Lisa told me, just the fact that it is even a submission, is allowing his story to circulate even more. Journalists all over the world are reading his story, and sharing it with others. Lisa and Rowan were even mentioned in an article online at Poynter.org, that explains the Pulitzer Prize process. So exciting.
.........
"Rowan's Reach" has been unreal! Thank you for helping tell his story Lisa, and for spreading it not just throughout Texas, but all over the United States and even the world. Rowan is definitely smiling down on you from Heaven, with his arms outstretched!
What you may not know Lisa is that I took a few pictures of you with Rowan myself. He saw you as part of his family too...
Cheers to you Lisa Krantz, on your huge success with "Rowan's Reach". Here we were, the 3 of us, toasting on a plane to Seattle... toasting to his chance at being healed...toasting to loving our lives...
Cheers,
Rowan.
No comments:
Post a Comment