Giles Clasen, a Denver-based freelance photographer and writer, has received several accolades for his impactful photojournalism, particularly focusing on social justice and community issues.

• American Photography 41:

  • Selected as a winner for his photo from "Alamosa's Sanctioned Camp Takes Care of Its People," which documents the lives of individuals living in a sanctioned homeless encampment in the San Luis Valley. American Photography is a selection of some of the best photos from American photographers selected by a jury from some of the top photo editors in the country.

• 2025 SPJ Rocky Mountain Region “Top of the Rockies Awards”:

  • First Place, News Photography/Videography

  • First Place, Feature: Long form

  • First Place, Photo Package

  • Second Place, Photo Package

  • First Place, Politics Feature

  • Second Place in Social Justice Photography/Videography

• 2024 SPJ Rocky Mountain Region “Top of the Rockies Awards”:

  • First Place, Feature Photography

  • First Place, Sports Photography

  • Second Place, Social Justice Photography

  • Third Place, Sports Feature

• American Photography 39:

  • Selected as a winner for his photo essay "RV Living on the Road to Housing," which documents the lives of individuals experiencing homelessness in Denver. American Photography is a selection of some of the best photos from American photographers selected by a jury from some of the top photo editors in the country.

• 2023 SPJ Rocky Mountain Region “Top of the Rockies Awards”:

  • First Place, Feature Photography

• Urban League of Metro Denver Outstanding Community Service Award

  • Awarded for journalistic coverage of underserved communities in Denver and Colorado

• 2020 NEWSED Civil Rights Award, Denver VOICE