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Burnaby, New West photographer wins triple gold at Ma Murray community newspaper award show

Burnaby NOW and New Westminster Record photojournalist Jennifer Gauthier won three first-place Ma Murray awards April 20.

It was a golden sweep for freelance photographer Jennifer Gauthier at the British Columbia and Yukon Community Newspaper Association (BCYCNA) Ma Murray award show April 20.

Gauthier's work for the Burnaby NOW and New Westminster Record won first place in three categories.

Her portrait of young Burnaby skateboard champ Oli Ward mid-hand plant won the category for best portrait/personality photo.

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Oli Ward, a Grade 11 student and top prospect for the national team, trains at Hastings Skate Park in Vancouver on Aug. 4, 2023. By Jennifer Gauthier

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The 2024 Ma Murray Community Newsmedia Awards for Spot news photo, Feature photo and Portrait/Personality photo. By Jennifer Gauthier

The best spot news photo went to Gauthier's shot of the "gas bomb" fireworks finale at the end of Burnaby's Central Park Canada Day festivities (photo featured above). Her photo captured the fireball at the moment of explosion.

New Westminster's second annual Car Free Day festival featured a break dance battle snapped by Gauthier, who won best feature photo for the effort.

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KTR of Japan, who recently moved to Vancouver, competed in the Break Dance Battle at the DJ/Dance space during the second annual Car Free Day festival took over Columbia Street on July 29, 2023. By Jennifer Gauthier

The BCYCNA Ma Murray Awards recognize the achievements of more than 90 member newspapers in B.C. and Yukon.

Last year, Gauthier won a triple silver sweep for spot news, sports and photo essay.

Check out our 2023 year in photos in Burnaby and in New Westminster.