DECATUR - Herald & Review Chief Photographer Kelly J. Huff won first place in the news photograph category (circulation size 25,000 to 99,999) of Editor & Publisher Magazine's Photos of the Year competition.

The winning image showed Illinois Army National Guard SPC Scott Quimet embracing his son Nathan, 9, at Camp Lincoln in Springfield as 18 members of the 623rd Personnel Services Detachment prepared for deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan in January.

"This picture perfectly illustrates the painful emotions of separation. The father's solidity and strength comes through, and the boy's feelings are captured in one heartbreaking tear. The composition is exemplary," said Reiko Matsuo, art/design director for Editor & Publisher magazine

The photograph also claimed an honorable mention in the People's Choice award, voted on by online submission.

It was the publication's 10th annual Photo of the Year competition, which was open to photographers from all over the world.

This is Huff's fourth Photo of the Year award. He took the top award in the Georgia Associated Press competition in 1992 and back-to-back Photo of the Year awards in the Indiana Press Association competitions in 1996 and 1997.

Huff has worked at the Herald & Review for 10 years. Huff lives in Cerro Gordo with his wife Cindy and sons Jacob and Judson.