Tom Hanson Photojournalism Award

2024 CJF Awards - Tom Hanson Award Paige Taylor White

CJF and CP Name Tom Hanson Photojournalism Award Winner

TORONTO, APR 16, 2024 – Paige Taylor White, a Vancouver-based freelance  photojournalist and videographer, is the recipient of the 2024 Tom Hanson Photojournalism Award, presented by The Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF) and The Canadian Press (CP).

“Paige sees the light beautifully and has all the skills that can be enhanced by a Hanson experience,” says jury member Frank Gunn, national photographer for The Canadian Press.

Adds jury member Marta Iwanek, a former Hanson recipient: “Paige has strong technical skills and is able to find unique moments, even at high-profile events. Her work will be solid, and she will bring her unique voice to CP.”

The coveted annual award was established in memory of the late, prize-winning CP photographer Tom Hanson to allow an early-career photojournalist to work at CP’s Toronto head office for a six-week internship. The experience will allow White to sharpen her skills and receive mentorship from experienced photojournalists while providing an opportunity for national exposure.

“I look forward to joining the Canadian Press this summer,” says White.  “I believe that through the mentorship and guidance I will receive, I can rise to uphold the quality of work the wire is known for, while working under pressure.”

View White’s portfolio, which was selected among submissions from students and early-career photojournalists from across the country.

White will be recognized at the CJF Awards ceremony on June 12 at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto.

Selection Committee

  • Catherine Hanson, spouse of the late Tom Hanson;
  • Heide Kaspar-Glorieux, mother of Tom Hanson;
  • Megan Leach, director, visuals & planning, The Canadian Press;
  • Joe O’Connal, assistant editor, The Canadian Press;
  • Graeme Roy, visual content curator, The Canadian Press;
  • Frank Gunn, national photographer, The Canadian Press;
  • Fred Chartrand, former national photographer, The Canadian Press;
  • Tony Caldwell, photographer, Ottawa Sun;
  • Hannah Yoon, photojournalist and 2014 Tom Hanson Photojournalism Award winner;
  • Marta Iwanek, photojournalist and 2015 Tom Hanson Photojournalism Award winner; and
  • Scott White, editor of The Conversation Canada and an honorary CJF governor.

This award is generously supported by Sony.

The Tom Hanson Photojournalism Award

Tom Hanson was a photojournalist whose images from the Oka conflict to the cut-and-thrust of the House of Commons told vivid stories. He was an award-winning photographer for The Canadian Press who travelled around the world and across the country, shooting some of the most iconic news and sports images of the last 15 years.

When Hanson died suddenly at age 41 in 2009, his family, friends, colleagues at The Canadian Press and the country’s photojournalism community wanted to find an appropriate way to honour his memory, talent and spirit. The result was the creation of the Tom Hanson Photojournalism Award.

The Hanson Award is administered by The Canadian Journalism Foundation and offers a six-week paid internship at The Canadian Press head office in Toronto for a photojournalist in the early stages of his or her career. The annual internship is designed to give a photographer trying to break into the business the chance to perform on the national stage.

The Hanson Award is open to any Canadian photojournalist who has been in the business less than five years — from students to freelancers to photographers working at regional publications.

Applicants will be asked to submit a portfolio of their work to a selection committee made up of Canadian Journalism Foundation board members, photographers and photo editors from The Canadian Press and daily newspapers and members of Tom’s family.

The six-week internship will take place sometime between April and September, the exact time of the placement to be worked out between the successful applicant and The Canadian Press. The winning applicant will be paid a salary equivalent of the start rate for photographers at The Canadian Press. Award winners will be expected to cover their own travel and accommodation costs.|

View the criteria.

The Tom Hanson Photojournalism Award is generously supported by:

View reports from past award recipients

View a photo gallery of
Tom Hanson’s work

View Paige Taylor White's Portfolio


Paige Taylor White - 2024 Tom Hanson Award Winner Portfolio