West began his photojournalism career in the 1980s and has earned awards for his outstanding photography from Associated Press, National News Photographers Association, Ohio News Photographer Association, Community Newspapers Holding Inc., Star Beacon newspaper and the Chautauqua Society of Artists. His work has appeared in Life and Gameday (NFL) magazines. West’s photography has been seen world-wide via Associated Press. The USA Today, Washington Post, Dallas Morning News and Cleveland Plain Dealer newspapers have also published his outstanding news photographs.