Amateur photographer of the year

Houston woman wins trip to Super Bowl XLI and HOF Weekend

January 17, 2007 - Diana Porter of Houston, Texas is the winner of the Canon & The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s “Why Do You Love Football?” Amateur Photo Challenge for her photo titled “Superman!”  Porter wins a trip for four to attend Super Bowl XLI in Miami and will earn a once-in-a lifetime opportunity to have her photo displayed at The Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.  In addition, she wins a trip for four to the 2007 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Celebration in August.

Porter’s photo was taken during a Katy (TX) Youth Football game between the Patriots and the Buccaneers.  It featured Patriots quarterback Brad Vaile as he eluded the super hero efforts of Buccaneers opponent Cameron Gonzalez. 

“I’m extremely excited to have won the Canon and Pro Football Hall of Fame’s photography contest,” said Porter.  “I thought all the finalists’ photos were fabulous and had a hard time voting myself.  I’m very much looking forward to attending Super Bowl XLI with my husband and two sons, and having my photograph displayed in the Hall of Fame.” 

The nationwide contest consisted of two entry categories, action and feature.  The contest allowed football and photography fans the opportunity to capture the passion and excitement of football by submitting photos of everything from a playful catch in the backyard to any youth, school, or organized football games. 

Photo submissions were accepted from August 28th to November 27th, 2006.

“Canon is proud to once again partner with the Pro Football Hall of Fame for this exciting consumer contest, which allowed parents, family members and friends to capture lasting memories of youth football through the art of photography,” said Rob Altman, assistant manager, camera marketing of the consumer imaging group at Canon U.S.A., Inc.  "With our collection of SLR cameras like the Digital Rebel XTi camera, consumers now have an opportunity to shoot like the pros."  

The judging panel included former NFL quarterback Archie Manning along with some of the world’s top sports photographers including Peter Read Miller from Sports Illustrated; Greg Rust Cincinnati Bengals Team Photographer; John Reid III Cleveland Browns Team Photographer; Mark Duncan of the Associated Press; and Tony Tomsic, a freelance sports photographer who has shot every Super Bowl.

The committee selected Porter and the thirteen other finalists.  Porter's photo was selected as the grand prize winner following a three-week online voting period by fans.  The thirteen other finalists included Bob Foote, Greenwood, IN; Joe Heinzmann, Ridgefield, CT; David Dubell, Jeffersonton, VA; Josh Owens, Canyon Lake, CA; Robert Eckert, Boothwyn, PA; Mark Bowen, Erie, PA; Tim Hirsch, Centerville, UT; Brian Alcala, Venice, CA; Glenn Kronen, Brookpark, OH; Don Anderson, Seaside, OR; Fred Schempp, Webster, NY; Pat Carrigan, Robinson, TX; and Chuanxiao Li, Katy, TX.

 See the winners of the "Why Do You Love Football?" Amateur Photo Challenge

Winning Action Photo Gallery |  Winning Feature Photo Gallery