Voting for the Boston Press Photographers Association officers and Board of Directors will take place from Dec. 5 to Dec. 12, 2019. All current paid and lifetime members are eligible to vote in the election. Those eligible to vote should receive an email with a link to the ballot on Dec. 5. If you feel you are eligible to vote but do not receive an email with a ballot link by the end of Dec. 5, please write to info@bppa.net

Positions and nominees below

We need to elect a slate of SIX members for the BOARD OF DIRECTORS. The top six candidates in voting will be elected to the board.

Nominees for the Board of Directors are:

All officers and Board members contribute to policy discussions and planning.

 

 

Introductions for new nominees

Meredith Nierman, nominee for Board of Directors

I’m currently Director of Photography at WGBH (Boston’s PBS and NPR Hub) and am running for the board. I’ve spent nearly all of my career so far working in editorial/content in public media, first in television production then as a digital producer and now photography and photojournalism. I am WGBH’s first Director of Photography, having worked with WGBH leadership to develop this new role to support and expand the work of our growing local television, radio and digital newsroom as well as our national documentary radio, TV and digital series on PBS and NPR. Given my background in television and digital production, I bring a wide and deep view to conversations about the creation and use of photography in the stories we tell. And given the size of our organization (850+ people), I have extensive experience working for and with people and groups who aren’t well-versed in visual journalism. Outside of my work at WGBH, I founded and coordinate a regular meet-up for Boston-area women photojournalist and documentary photographers. In the one year since we started the group, we’ve grown to over 60 people and meet quarterly.

I would be excited to learn more about and support the work done so far by the BPPA board. Here are some areas of personal interest and passion that I could also bring to my work with the BPPA: I really enjoy bringing people together – for networking, discussions, presentations and shows, collaborations and partnerships. I am also very interested in how mentoring programs can strengthen organizations and teams, and finally, I am interested in how photography can and should be more accessible to people who are blind or with low vision.

 

 

Faith Ninivaggi, nominee for Board of Directors

I have been a photographer at the Boston Herald for the past 18 years while also freelancing in and around the city. While a lot has changed in the newspaper industry over the years I remain passionate about photojournalism. The BPPA is integral to our continued success. Serving as aboard member would be an honor. I feel it is important to continue to support one another during these challenging times as well as grow our audience, to ensure our voices continue to be heard throughout New England and beyond.

 

 

Steven Davy, nominee for Board of Directors

Multimedia Editor, The World
Like many BPPA members, photography and visual journalism is a passion and a career. I’m a new member of the BPPA of the last year and have been encouraged by the energy and enthusiasm of the Association supporting photographers in our incredible region.

While early in my photography career, I’ve spent the last 10 years in a public media newsroom at the BBC World Service, WGBH and (now) PRX as a multimedia editor advocating for a greater understanding of how central excellence in photography is for our organization and our mission.

My show, The World, is a tireless advocate for showcasing international connections to an American audience — a unique newsroom in Boston. From shooting personally in the field in Georgia and New Hampshire during the 2018 mid-term election to editing with exceptional photographers on stories along the border in Tijuana, corruption issues in Kiev, Ukraine, and the 400-year anniversary of the first enslaved Africans in Ghana along with variety of other stories over the last several years, I’ve been fortunate to be a part of important visual journalism.

My candidacy as a board member is as a fresh voice with a new look on photography and immersive journalism. And, as a lifelong learner, I’m also someone looking for establishing deeper connections amongst our greater photographer community and finding new partnerships.

 

 

Amanda Sabga, nominee for Board of Directors

I’m an independent photographer in the Boston, MA area and a graduate of the Boston University College of Communication. I started my career in photojournalism as an intern staff photographer at the Sun Chronicle in Attleboro and then went on to be the 2013 summer intern for the Boston Herald before working with Boston Red Sox for their 2014 season. Most recently I worked as a staff photographer for the Eagle-Tribune where I spent four years before leaving in September and beginning my career as a freelance photographer.

Though my background is diverse and stems far from New England, I have lived in Boston for the past 10 years and consider it my home. Coming from a close family and growing up in a small country (Trinidad), community and camaraderie are something I look for and appreciate immensely. Working as a news photographer in this area I have easily found that through my peers and fellow photographers.

The BPPA community welcomed me as a young photographer, encouraging me to ask questions, seek guidance and never making me feel small or inexperienced. I would be honored to join the BPPA board to help continue and contribute to our community of photographers. Additionally to put myself out there to be guiding hand to other young journalists as so many of you have done for me over the years.