Moran wins Perry Photojournalism Challenge with ‘Nature of Motherhood’

Luci Moran

In this photo from Luci Moran’s essay “The Nature of Motherhood,” Sam Vargas prepares lunch for her children while carrying her daughter. “After you have your baby, the hospital will give you a doctor that will tell you, ‘You can call me if you need anything at all, here’s my number,’ and that’s pretty much all you get,” Vargas said. “I remember with my second child, for a moment I felt like I needed help, but I never reached out. It felt like a phone call just wasn’t enough.”

Luci Moran, a senior journalism major from Omaha, won the top prize in the virtual Philip Perry Photojournalism Challenge on March 14 for her essay “The Nature of Motherhood.”

Moran will receive a $10,000 scholarship to complete her studies at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Her story explored postpartum depression and the challenges faced by new mothers, such as Sam Vargas of Lincoln.

The annual competition is a test of determination and drive. This year, 20 students had 24 hours to shoot and compose a photo essay of up to 12 images around the theme of “Mother Earth.” Five professional photojournalists judged the essays in two rounds. In the second round, five finalists were selected to present their work to the judges and a public audience, where the winner was selected.

Other finalists, listed by hometown with their year in school and major, were:

Fremont: Emma Storms, sophomore, advertising and public relations

Lincoln: Jordan Moore, freshman, journalism

Lee’s Summit, Missouri: Carmella Bailey, sophomore, advertising and public relations

Vermillion, South Dakota: Aeriel Frey, sophomore, broadcasting

This year’s judges were Allen Schaben, staff photographer for the Los Angeles Times; Calla Kessler, a freelance photographer in New York City; Julia Dean, founder and executive director of The Los Angeles Center of Photography; and Ted Kirk, former photo editor of the Lincoln Journal Star.

View all of the finalists' essays.

2021 Perry Photojournalism Challenge

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