CULLMAN, Ala. – The Alabama Press Association on Friday revealed the winners of this year’s APA Media Awards and one of The Tribune’s own took home one of the top prizes. Tribune photographer Martha Needham won the 2020 APA Photo of the Year Award with her submission, “When you mess with the bull…” an impeccably-timed shot of a bull rider being thrown from his saddle and clinging to his steer for dear life.
Martha enjoys spending time at events like these that typically don’t get as much coverage, but she didn’t know she’d be taking the APA Photo of the Year on this particular trip.
“I shot this photo at a bull riding Jackpot event at the No Fences Cowboy Church of Morgan County. Bull riding was something I was never able to watch at rodeos until I picked up a camera, and now it has become a passion for me,” Needham said. “These are some extraordinary athletes, and capturing their rides is an adrenaline rush for me. It’s a dirty job, but you just have to be willing to do what others may not and it has finally paid off. I couldn’t be more excited.”
Needham has spent the better part of two years shooting events all over the state for The Tribune, including Alabama football, Rock the South and several state championship events, but you’ve probably seen her at your school’s local ball field, no matter which school or sport. She has crossed state lines to cover local teams and spent countless hours taking thousands of photos of our local athletes.
Fortunately for us, it was another Tribune photographer that sent her our way.
“I joined The Tribune in 2018 after Bill Piper encouraged me to send an email to (Publisher) Noah (Galilee) and simply asked if they needed help,” Needham said. “I haven’t looked back, and because of The Tribune, I’m able to share with more people what I love to do and that’s sports photography.”
Martha has high school sports and amateur bull riding all but mastered at this point, and while she still loves being at those events, she has her sights set on shooting some more professional events to round out her impressive and growing portfolio.
“Now I just need to make it an NBA, NFL and PBR event so I can strike those from the bucket list,” she smiled.
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