Larry Downing honoured by White House photographers for lifetime achievement

Reuters’ senior staff photographer in Washington, Larry Downing (photo) found out in a surprise announcement at the White House press briefing room on Friday that he has been chosen by the White House News Photographers Association to receive its 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award.

He has been continuously covering six US presidents - first for UPI, then Newsweek and since 1997 Reuters. He has received many awards.

Downing began covering the White House for UPI in 1978 when Jimmy Carter was president. He is the author and producer of several widely read and acclaimed multi-media blogs. He has also written blog posts about the presidency and covering the White House.

Downing has been nominated for Reuters global Journalist of the Year awards several times. He has won it twice, once as the part of the team covering the US presidential election campaign in 2008 and once solo in 2009 as multi-media storyteller of the year globally for his multi-media blog about the survivors of fallen US warriors.

Along with colleague Jason Reed, he also won a prestigious 2012 Edward R Murrow award in the news documentary category for multi-media coverage of wounded combat veterans.

“There is no photojournalist covering the presidency today who has had the close-up access that Larry has for as long as Larry has,” said Ron Sachs, WHNPA president. “The quality of his body of work over 37 years is incredible. He has earned numerous awards for his efforts. Larry is an institution at the White House. I am proud to have been a friend and colleague to Larry over these many years.”

The award will be presented at the Association’s “Eyes of History” annual awards gala in Washington on Saturday 16 May. ■