A new award

Jim Beckel been a member of The Oklahoman's photo staff for 25 years. During that time, he and his cameras have covered virtually every type of news and feature story imaginable, traveling to all regions of Oklahoma to document events and provide photo coverage to accompany reporters' stories.

The greatest benefit of his job is the opportunity to meet a wide variety of wonderful people, from all walks of life, who allow him to share their stories through his photos. His career as a photojournalist has allowed him to understand that covering the plight of a homeless veteran is every bit important as photographing a high-ranking state official speaking about policy matters.

While it's true that I am employed by The Oklahoman, I try to be constantly mindful that the person I am actually working for is the reader of our newspaper.

Graduated from UCO in 1979 with degrees in History and Philosophy. Returned for three semesters in Photojournalism. Worked for the Photographic Services Dept. at UCO in 1981. Went to work for the Edmond Sun from May 1981 until Dec. 1981. Began at the Oklahoman in Jan. 1982 and worked there until June 1983. Worked as a photographer at Kerr McGee Corporation from June 1983 until May 1985. Have worked at the Oklahoman from May 1985 until the present.

Chris Landsberger is a native of Oklahoma and, as a photographer, has been able to travel coast to coast and everywhere in between to cover news for the last 13 years. He has been a part history that included coverage of Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh's trial and execution, President George W. Bush, and Super Bowl coverage. Landsberger, 38, is a photographer and asst. director of photography for The Oklahoman. He received a bachelor's degree in photojournalism in 1999 from the University of Central Oklahoma. He has worked his way from being a staff photographer at the Edmond Sun to chief photographer at the Enid News & Eagle and director of photography at the Topeka Capital-Journal. He has worked at The Oklahoman for 6 years.

Born in Missouri, Sarah Phipps graduated of Northwest Missouri State University with a degree in Mass Communication and French in 1999.

After an internship with the St. Joe News-press, Sarah moved to Oklahoma for a full-time job at the Edmond Sun. Sarah joined the Oklahoman in 2007.

Sarah covers a large amount of sporting events and can often be seen on the sidelines at Oklahoma State football games

Bryan Terry is a native of Oklahoma and is a graduate of Yukon High School. He first picked up a camera while attending the University of Central Oklahoma. After working for the school newspaper, The Vista, he interned at The Oklahoman. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism/Photographic Arts and joined the staff of The Oklahoman in 1999.