Bill Luster has captured the spirit of Kentucky through his visual art and is a role model for aspiring photojournalists.

One of the nation's most respected photojournalists, Bill has been a photographer at Louisville's Courier-Journal, Kentucky's largest newspaper, for over 40 years. Throughout his career, Bill has photographed countless historical, political and sports events and received numerous awards for his work.

Bill was awarded the Pulitzer Prize, along with other members of the paper's photo staff, for documenting the chaos surrounding the desegregation of local schools in 1975. He was awarded the Clarion Award in 1984 for Environmental Reporting in Europe, and was once again awarded a Pulitzer in 1989 for coverage of the country's worst drunk driving accident in Carrollton, Kentucky.

While serving as President of the National Press Photographer's Association, Bill was and awarded the Joseph Costa award for innovative leadership.

In the sports arena, Bill has photographed decades of Louisville athletes, including the city's two most famous sports icons, The Kentucky Derby, where he has been behind the lens for over 40 years and The Greatest, Muhammad Ali.

In addition to his local work, Bill's career has stretched beyond his hometown with photographs appearing nationally in National Geographic, Time, Fortune, Sports Illustrated, Newsweek, Life and the New York Times .

No stranger to historic political moments, Bill has photographed four political conventions, four presidential inaugurations, and was an official photographer for the inauguration of President George H. W. Bush. He was also granted exclusive access to Presidents Ford, Reagan and Clinton.

Bennie Ivory, the Courier-Journal's executive editor describes Bill Luster as "a class act and quality individual." That sentiment seems to be shared with everyone who knows or works with him. He mentors young photographers, is an active member of his church and has been married his wife Linda for 33 years.

In celebration of an illustrious career as a photojournalist, capturing and chronicling local and national events, in July 2010 Bill will be awarded the Joseph A. Sprague Memorial Award, the National Press Photographers Association's highest honor.

Bill's Site: BillLuster.com
A Photography Sampler: Courier-Journal.com
National Press Photographer's Association: NPAA.org