Petersburg native photographer won top prize at a national competition

Gary D. Jones, Petersburg PhotographyPhoto byWRIC 8 News/Facebook Screenshot

According to WRIC 8 News, Petersburg, Virginia native Gary D. Jones won the top prize for his photograph submitted in the Grand Imaging Awards.

About Gary D. Jones

Gary D. Jones is a member of Professional Photographers of America. He competed against 1,600 entries from around the world, with 500 finalists divided into 16 categories. Jones won over $10,000 and two trophies.

Jones' reaction:

“I was going to treat those trophies like a Stanley Cup. People go to see them, they touch them, take pictures with them because a lot of people all through my lifetime helped me get here.”

Top winning photograph

Gary D. Jones submitted a black and white image of his mother sitting on a bus titled “The Destination Ahead.”

“The Photography of Gary D. Jones" is shown at the Petersburg Area Art League (PAAL). The exhibit was inspired by Jones' winning photo of his mother.

Downtown PetersburgPhoto byKen Lund/Wikipedia Screenshot

Jones' exhibit is a photography collection of his hometown. He hopes to bring positive attention to Petersburg through the exhibit. More than 15 images line the upstairs walls of PAAL. Some show people, others focus on architecture, and all represent Jones’ memories of the city he grew up in.

Bill Nicholson, President of PAAL, said:

“He’s local. He loves what he’s photographing. He can tell the story. He’s lived the story. He knows the people in the stories and for him to be able to convey that and share that with people that come to see the exhibit is just priceless.”

The staff of the gallery says those who come to see the exhibit find comfort in being able to recognize the streets and buildings. Those with ties to Petersburg have their own memories tied to Jones’ photographs.