2026 SPOA Industry Awards

During our annual SPOA Awards Ceremony on June 25, we celebrated the outstanding individuals, companies, and schools whose achievements are helping shape the future of school photography and yearbooks. From recognizing exceptional leadership, innovation, and dedication through our industry awards to honoring the schools featured in the SPOA Yearbook Gallery, the evening highlighted the excellence, creativity, and commitment that continue to raise the bar for our industry and inspire the next generation of professionals.

• Hall of Fame Award: Leonard R. Tucker, Sr. - Leonard's Photography

  
  

• President’s Award: Cindy Gallien - Photo Texas

  
  

• Rising Star: Lillian Kempiak - HR Imaging & Michele Federschneider - Captura

  
  

• Dedication to Mentorship Award: Mark Hommerding - schoolpictures.com

  
  

• Captura’s Legacy Award: Cindy Gallien - Photo Texas

  
  

• Sparky Spirit Award: Erick Villeda - Strawbridge Studios, Inc.

• Perseverance Award: Alissa Harmon - Strawbridge Studios, Inc.

2026 SPOA Photographic Competition Grand Champions!

★ Live Event: Jonathan Nomberto  | Dean Stewart Photography

★ PK-11th Fall: Zach Reininger | The Photo Guys

★ PK-11th Spring: Darshey Clowe | Upstate Images

★ PK - 8th Graduation: Erick Villeda | Strawbridge Studios, Inc.

★ Sports PK - 12th Team Traditional: Peter Kramer | Geskus Photo

★ Senior Indoor Casual: Jonathan Nomberto  | Dean Stewart Photography

★ Senior Formal: Jonathan Nomberto  | Dean Stewart Photography

★ Senior Lifestyle Environmental: Nora Russell | Visual Image Photography

★ Sports PK - 11th Individual Location: Cody Clem | Strawbridge Studios, Inc.

★ Sports PK - 12th Composite: Tomisina Collopy | Strawbridge Studios, Inc.

★ Senior Creative Open: Chanda Pope | Scholar Snaps

★ Photographer Creative Open: Joey Wooten | Upstate Images

We want to thank everyone who submitted entries this year!

You all made this an incredible competition. 

SPOA Yearbook Awards & Gallery Recipients

Elementary & Middle School

• Alice B. Landrum Middle School

• Lavilla School of The Arts

• Liberty Pines Academy

• Maryville Elementary

• Ridgeview Global Studies Academy

• St. Augustine Public Montessori

• Spring Hill Middle School

• Twin Chimneys Elementary

• Viera Charter

• Westran Elementary

• Woodview Elementary

High School

• Beachside High School

• Bettendorf

• Bloomingdale High School

• Cottage Grove

• Creekside High School

• Geneva

• Hill Country

• Junction City

• Rockvale

• Tocoi Creek High School

  
  

2026 SPOA x SONY Student Photo Contest

Congratulations to our winners!

• Action Shot: Bryce Walker, Coral Springs Charter School (Coral Springs, Florida)

• Candid Shot: Jordan Doty, Ray Braswell High School (Aubrey, Texas)

• Detail Shot: Ryan Bezas, Huron High School (Ann Arbor, Michigan)

• Dominant Photo: Levi Aust, Racine Case High School (Racine, Wisconsin)

• Reaction Shot: Henry Rottman, Westfield High School (Chantilly, Virginia)

During our Industry Awards Banquet on June 25th, it was a pleasure to welcome two of our award recipients, Henry Rottman and Levi Aust, to the celebration as we recognized this year's outstanding achievements.

We are deeply grateful to our partner Sony for their generous donation of cameras to this year’s winners. Their support is helping empower the next generation of visual storytellers to keep creating, exploring, and growing in their craft. Congratulations again to all our winners, and thank you to every student who submitted work to this inspiring celebration of school photography!