LaVor’s work has received many awards, most notable, the International Photographic Council of the United Nations “Leadership Award” and the prestigious Kodak Gallery award.
He won the White House News Photographer’s Association, the Southeast Professional Photographers Association’s Picture of the Year award nine times and its Distinguished award eleven times, the Virginia Professional Photographers Association’s Picture of the Year award nineteen times and the overall “Best in Show” twice in the East Texas International, and Photographer’s Forum Magazine competitions.
Prior to his career as a professional photographer, Marty LaVor had already achieved an impressive list of personal accomplishments. He earned a Doctorate in Special Education, was an Industrial Arts teacher, a department head of a public school, Executive Director of a rehabilitation training program for retarded and physically handicapped women, Senior Professional for the Alabama Technical Assistance Corporation, Senior Federal Regional Officer for the Southeast Office of Economic Opportunity, Senior Professional Staff member for the U.S. House of Representatives Education and Labor Committee, Consultant to the U.S. Senate Committee on Aging, and Consultant to the U.S. House of Representatives Select Committee on Hunger. After he retired from the U.S. Congress he established The LaVor Group, specializing in political and public services.
Books by Marty LaVor
- “CERAMICS FOR ANY HANDS”, Marty taught himself to use a camera in 1960 when he wrote this "how to" book for hobby ceramics. It became the basic instruction guide for the industry, contained 400 close-up photographs, had six printings, and was on the market for twenty-five years.
- “NO BORDERS”, produced in 1990, was his first photography book. It won the "Best Book Award" from Studio Magazine International and "Best in Show-Grand Prize” from the Printing Industries of Maryland.
- “THE VIII PLENARY SESSION OF THE THEOLOGICAL DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE ORTHODOX CHURCH”, with over 350 photographs, documented the historic meeting and won a major award from the Printing Industries of America National Competition.
- “WASHINGTON SEE IT AGAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME LOOKING UP”
- “THE CAPITOL SEE IT AGAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME LOOKING UP” each received critical acclaim.
- “NO BULL!” was called as the “best book ever done on the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo.”
- “THE BASILICA OF THE ASSUMPTION” documented the restoration of America’s first Catholic Cathedral.
- “SAINT PAUL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH” was produced privately for St. Paul’s to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the church.
- He also wrote two non-photography books and published 100 articles in professional journals.