Three Long Beach Post journalists were recognized during the annual Press Photographers Association of Greater Los Angeles ceremony Saturday afternoon, winning a dozen awards, including a sweep in the multi-cam video category.

Visuals Editor Thomas Cordova and Hi-Lo Videographer Cheantay Jensen took first place for their work on the story of a Wilson High School student’s intricate model boat-building hobby. The duo also took second and third place for their stories on a Long Beach potter and four chefs who created a new pop-up catering business following the loss of their beloved restaurant in a devastating fire, respectively.

Jensen also took first place in the sports video category, winning for her piece on Kelsey Rowlings, an award-winning drifting competition driver known as the “drift chick.”

Jensen started at the Post as an intern in 2019 when she graduated from Cal State Long Beach with a degree in journalism. She started her video work in 2020 at the onset of the pandemic.

Jensen previously won second place for best online storytelling at the 2021 National Press Photographers Association for her work showing a man playing his violin in front yards during the pandemic.

Long Beach Business Journal Reporter and Visuals Editor Brandon Richardson won five awards, including third place in sports feature for his photograph of a fan taking a selfie during the Acura Grand Prix in September as Stadium Super Trucks soar behind him. He also won third place in the best animal photo category for his picture of a child watching two penguins swimming at the Aquarium of the Pacific.

Richardson started his career as a staff writer at the Business Journal in 2016 after graduating from Long Beach City College. There, he started developing his photography skills, eventually working with Cordova after the Post acquired the Business Journal in 2020.

A fan takes a selfie as Stadium Super Trucks fly through the air during Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach race weekend, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. Photo by Brandon Richardson.

Cordova won five awards in three categories, including second place in the best animal photo category for a shot of a firefighter carrying an injured pitbull out of an apartment in Alamitos Beach following a fire.

Cordova has worked as a photojournalist since 1999, spending time at Southern California publications like Our Times, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin and the Long Beach Press-Telegram before coming to the Long Beach Post, where he’s worked as the visuals editor for four years.

Long Beach Firefighter Paramedic Will Montgomery carries pitbull Dip to the owner’s car as Firefighter Paramedic Michael Thurston talks to one of the owners, Adela Najarro. The two dogs were transported to a local veterinarian after they were given oxygen by first responders on Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.

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