My Neighborhood News photographers win top honors in NW journalism competition

My Neighborhood News Group photographers Michael Bury and Logan Bury took first and second place, respectively, in the 2025 Excellence in Journalism Awards sponsored by the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Region 10.

Michael Bury is a longtime freelance sports photographer who covers high school athletics for the My Neighborhood News Group (MNNG). He earned first place in sports action photography for small publications. Michael’s son, Logan, has served as both a college intern and part-time reporter/photographer for MNNG. He took second place in the feature photography category.

Michael Bury’s winning photo “Cheering on the Warriors at State,” reflected the enthusiasm of Edmonds-Woodway High School girls basketball team member Jane Hanson (lower center of the photo) and classmates during EWHS boys basketball’s semifinal win over the Mount Spokane Wildcats on March 7, 2025, at the Tacoma Dome.

“Great action photos in this category, but this image of high school kids cheering for their team captures the emotion of sports,” the judge wrote.

Logan Bury’s photo, “Taking a selfie at the Polar Plunge,” was shot during the Jan. 1, 2025 Edmonds tradition of celebrating the New Year with a dip in Puget Sound.

“I like the expression and excitement of the image,” the judge wrote.

This is the second straight year that MNNG photographers have been honored with regional journalism awards. In 2025, Managing Editor Nick Ng won first place in SPJ’s news photography category for his photo of Sakha women dancing at a Yhyakh festival at Lynnwood’s Lynndale Park.

“We are proud that the judges recognized the photographic talents of both Michael and Logan in our publications,” said MNNG President and CEO Teresa Wippel. “We are fortunate to have both of them as contributors.”