Photojournalism 1st place winner

For the past three years, I have worked on a series of billboard installations entitled The End of the Dream, which depicts the three crises threatening California's survival: the housing crisis, wildfires, and drought. During the summer of 2022, I installed 22 billboards in three California locations; six in Oroville, eight in Oakland, and eight in Palm Springs. Each billboard contains a single image with no text or call to action. The response to date has been overwhelming. The billboards have been seen by hundreds of thousands of people and are covered by television stations and newspapers throughout the state. In the Spring of 2023, I installed 500 large posters throughout northern California. Up to this point I have paid for the project myself and will need funding if I am to continue.

My goal with The End of the Dream is to create an unbiased record of California’s condition today. The images are not meant as warnings or calls to action. I only ask that
we stop looking away. Simply put, I am taking an inventory. I am like a grocery clerk counting cereal boxes and soup cans in the middle of the night.

Photographer Thomas Broening's impactful project, "The End of the Dream," has garnered significant attention, shedding light on California's pressing issues through a series of compelling billboards. Broening's initiative has been featured in various media outlets, including Spectrum News, KESQ, KCRA, FOX2, and CBS News, where he uses his platform to raise awareness about climate change, the housing crisis, and other challenges facing the state. Additionally, Broening's work has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the Lucie Foundation International Photographer of the Year and multiple Communication Arts Photography Annual Award of Excellence accolades. His photographs have been featured in esteemed publications such as USA Today, LA Times, and San Jose Mercury News, further amplifying the reach and impact of his message. Through his visually striking imagery and widespread recognition, Broening continues to provoke thought and inspire action in confronting California's most pressing dilemmas