Anderson Independent-Mail photographer wins SC Press Association Photojournalist of Year
Anderson Independent Mail photographer Ken Ruinard received one of the highest honors at the South Carolina Press Association's annual meeting in Columbia on Friday.
Ruinard was named South Carolina Photojournalist of the Year for 2024.
"He's no stranger to this award, having won it several times," said Jen Madden, co-executive director of the SCPA, from the stage during Friday's ceremony.
The judges said, "This category was filled with excellent photos" and the "most consistent entries of great photos under the most difficult circumstances.
"The sports photos were caught at exactly the right moment. The flood coverage was moving. The variety of shots of expressions, devastation, relief efforts. Everything told the whole story. No words needed."
USA Today Network journalists in South Carolina received eight other awards from the press association. The Greenville News (two awards), Spartanburg Herald-Journal (one award), Anderson Independent Mail (three awards), and the Lowcountry weekly publication The Jasper County Sun Times (two awards) were all honored.
"Congratulations to Ken Ruinard and all of our winners. It is an honor that our journalism is recognized among the best in South Carolina. These awards are a testament to our unwavering commitment to local, service-focused journalism," said Leisa Richardson, South Carolina editor for the USA Today Network and executive editor of the Greenville News, Spartanburg Herald-Journal, and Anderson Independent-Mail. "I am proud of our amazing team."
Ruinard also won first place for a Sports Feature Photo for photographs at a Gaffney/Boiling Springs football game. The photo was titled 'Agony of Missing the Feet.'
Reporter Shellie Murdaugh won first place for a Feature Photo for the Jasper County Sun Times. In the photo, Worth Congleton, 4, dressed in a replica of his great-grandfather's U.S. Army uniform, saluted after placing a wreath on a veteran's grave on Dec. 16, 2023, as a part of the Wreaths Across America ceremony at Ridgeland Cemetery.
Herald-Journal photographer Alex Hicks, Jr., won a second-place award in the Sports Feature Photo category for his photo at a Landrum Cardinals game.
Ruinard also won a second-place award in the photo series or photo story category for his work 'Helene devastates Carolinas' and another second-place photo in the Sports Action Photo category for his photo of Westside High Senior Jaylen Telley making a diving catch against Pendleton High during the top of the third inning at the Spring Break Tournament at BHP High in Honea Path.
Greenville News reporter A.J. Jackson won a third-place award in the Arts and Entertainment Category for his story "Art supporters hope to encourage Black artists to create films and theatre in Greenville." Jackson covers business, food & dining, and downtown culture.
Former Greenville News business, growth & development reporter Sarah Swetlik won a third-place award in the Profile Feature Writing or Story category for "How Ma-ta Crawford's love of gardening led her to community leadership."
Murdaugh also won a third-place award in the series of articles category on Fentanyl.
Click here to see a list of all of the winners.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Ken Ruinard wins SC Press Association Photojournalist of Year honor
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