From the Nominator

His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, of Ghana visited UofM as part our the Memphis in May International Festival’s salute to the Republic of Ghana. Several photographers were inside the university center waiting for him to exit the theater after his speech. Because it was so crowded in the area everyone was waiting, I decided to step out of the doors to find a better spot and saw his motorcade waiting off to the side with no other photographers or people around. I knew this would be the perfect moment to capture him as he exited the building with no one blocking my view of him. He was the first person to walk out in front of his entourage and he looked straight at me as I aimed my long lens at him. He stared straight into my soul. It’s a moment and a photo I’ll treasure forever… just me and a king before the hysteria of the crowd engulfed him again.

From the Judges

Well-executed colorful image of his majesty. Stunning and vibrant photo. The photographer clicked the shutter at the right time, locking eyes with the lens. The eyes tell the story in this image, and the colors pull it together.