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Bio

James Neiss is an internationally published award winning photojournalist at the Niagara Gazette, a daily newspaper in Niagara Falls, N.Y. In this role for more than 26 years, Neiss has had the opportunity to photograph the beauty of the Niagara region, plus many high profile people and events from daredevils going over Niagara Falls, to Presidents of the United States. However, the words he believes that best describe his vocation are "community photographer."
 

Neiss has lived through the industry transformation from wet darkroom to digital imaging, often taking a leadership role in effecting the transition at the Niagara Gazette, bringing his pioneering spirit and technical skills to friends & colleagues, including a chairmanship as Webmaster of the National Press Photographers Association in the late 1990’s.
 

James Neiss was born in Buffalo, N.Y. on a cold January day in 1960. In 1979 he became a student of photography as a senior in High School and continues to be so to this day.

Exhibitions

• "In The Neighborhood," Niagara Falls Public Library, Niagara Falls, NY - February, 2015

• "Auto Art: Artists & Mechanics Showcase," NACC Main Gallery, Niagara Falls, NY - September, 2014

• "Visions of Greater Buffalo," Guest Artist Exhibition and Auction, CEPA Gallery, Buffalo, NY - November, 2014

• "2014 CEPA Gallery Members Exhibit," Underground Gallery, Buffalo, NY - September, 2014

• "Roaming The Niagara Frontier" Solo Exhibit, Conference & Event Center, Niagara Falls, NY - November, 2013

• "Assignment: The Art of Photojournalism," Group Exhibit, NACC, Niagara Falls, NY - October, 2002

Art Festival Awards

• 1ST PLACE PHOTOGRAPHY - For body of work. Corn Hill Art Festival, Rochester, NY - June, 2016

• BEST OF SHOW - Niagara Falls Music and Art Festival, Niagara Falls, NY - June, 2016

• 1ST PLACE PHOTOGRAPHY - For body of work. Corn Hill Art Festival, Rochester, NY - June, 2016

• HONORABLE MENTION PHOTOGRAPHY - "Forest Queen." Lewiston Art Festival. Lewiston, NY - August, 2016

• 3RD PLACE PHOTOGRAPHY - For body of work. Corn Hill Art Festival, Rochester, NY - June, 2015
   

News Photography Awards

• Photographer of the Year, 2021 cnhi Newspaper Readership Awards

• Photographer of the Year, 2018 cnhi Newspaper Readership Awards

• 1st Place 2017 NYS Associated Press Division 1 Photo Story 

• 2015 New York Newspaper Publishers Association Distinguished Feature Photography Award of Excellence 

• New York State Associated Press September, 2014 Photo of the Month

• 2011-2012 New York State Associated Press Distinguished News Photography Award For Excellence

• 1st Place Spot News, 2012 Southern Newspaper Publishers Association

• Best of Show, 2012 Southern Newspaper Publishers Association

• 1st Place Spot News, 2012 New York State Associated Press

• Bernard J. Kolenberg Award: Best of Show, 2012 New York State Associated Press

• 1st Place Online Content, "The Hat Lady," 2010 New York State Associated Press

• 3rd Place Online Content, "On Deck at the Cave of the Winds," 2008 New York State Associated Press

• 1st Place Online Content, "Stitched" 2007 New York State Associated Press

• 2nd Place Online Content, "The Prophet Isaiah Robertson," 2007 New York State Associated Press

• 2nd Place Photo Essay, "Niagara County Police Chiefs,", 2006 New York State Associated Press

• Photographer of the Year, 2005 cnhi Newspaper Readership Awards

• 2003-2004 Award for Excellence Staff Award, New York Newspaper Publishers Association

• 1994-1995 Distinguished Breaking News Staff Award, "Oklahoma City Bombing Local Angle," New York Newspaper Publishers Association

• 1989 1st Place Award for Excellence, New York Newspaper Publishers Association

• 1988 3rd Place Spot News,  New York State Associated Press Association

Recent Publishings of Note

• Fstoppers - When Opportunity Meets Experience: A Once in a Lifetime Photo, 2018.

• Natural History Magazine, "Gulls," - September, 2014

• Natural History Magazine, "Polar Vortex" - March, 2014

• National Geographic.com , "Polar Vortex" - January, 2014.

• News Photographer Magazine, "The Ice Rescue" - November, 2012

• Editor & Publisher, "Icy Struggle" - April, 2012

• Readers Digest, "On the Brink of Niagara" - January, 2005

Published Daily

• Niagara-Gazette.com
• Lockport Union Sun & Journal

Facebook

www.facebook.com/JamesNeissPhotographer