Each month, The Associated Press management honors photographers for outstanding photo coverage while on assignment. The winners for the January 2015 AP Staff Photo Contest are Michael Dwyer in the news category for "Blasted by Snow", Muhammed Muheisen in the features category for his essay "Double Life" and Felipe Dana in the sports category for "Dakar Rally". Congratulations to all the photographers for their outstanding work. Below we feature some of the contest winning imagery.

Michael Dwyer | Blasted by Snow

In January 2015 a powerful nor'easter affected Canada and the Central and Eastern United States, and eventually, parts of Southern Greenland and Western Europe. The nor'easter disrupted transportation, with snow emergencies declared in six states and travel bans enacted in four of these states - Connecticut, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island - as well as in New York City. Most passenger rail service was suspended, and thousands of flights were canceled. Schooling and other activities had weather-related cancellations for one or more days. Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker declared a state of emergency and asked residents to remain safe and off roadways.

Dexter Newcomb begins cleanup at his house in Scituate, Mass., Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015, the day after a winter storm left his neighborhood coated in frozen sea spray and sand. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Taylor Millar, left, hugs her friend Jennifer Bruno, after Bruno was forced to vacate her house when it was heavily damaged by ocean waves in a winter storm, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015, in Marshfield, Mass. The storm has punched out a section of the seawall in the coastal town of Marshfield, police said. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Water floods a street on the coast in Scituate, Mass., Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015. A storm packing blizzard conditions spun up the East Coast early Tuesday, pounding parts of coastal New Jersey northward through Maine with high winds and heavy snow. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Fishing boats ride out the storm at dock in Scituate, Mass., Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015. The winter storm packing blizzard conditions spun up the East Coast early Tuesday, pounding parts of coastal New Jersey northward through Maine with high winds and heavy snow. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

AP10ThingsToSee - Frozen sea spray from a winter storm coats a house in Scituate, Mass., Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015. As Massachusetts continues digging out from the Blizzard of 2015, forecasters warn of a new round of storms that could dump several more inches of snow on Friday and again over the weekend. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Tim Mannix pauses while speaking to reporters in front of his house in Marshfield, Mass., Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015. Mannix was injured Tuesday when a wave shattered a window during a winter storm that buried the Boston area in more than 2 feet of snow. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Firefighters stand in wind-driven snow on the coast in Scituate, Mass., Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Frozen sea spray coats a road sign and a church during a winter storm in Marshfield, Mass., Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015. The storm punched out a section of the seawall in the coastal town, police said. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Waves breach a damaged sea wall during a winter storm in Marshfield, Mass., Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015. A blizzard with 70 mph winds slammed Boston and other parts of New England. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

A woman braces against the wind during a winter storm in Marshfield, Mass., Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015. The storm punched out a section of the seawall in the coastal town of Marshfield, police said.(AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

A man walks on a portion of road cleared of sand washed up by ocean waves during a winter storm in the Humarock section of Scituate, Mass., Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Muhammed Muheisen | Double Life

Across conservative Pakistan, where Islamic extremists launch near-daily attacks and many follow a strict interpretation of their Muslim faith, male cross-dressers and the transgendered face a challenge of balancing two identities. Some left their villages for the anonymity of a big city, fearing the reactions of their families while still concealing their identities from neighbors and co-workers.

In this Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015 photo, Pakistani Waseem Akram, 27, dances during a private party in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. By day, Akram sells mobile phone accessories from an alleyway shop in an old neighborhood of this Pakistani city. But by night, he stands before a mirror, shaving away his beard and picking through mascara and rouge to become Rani, a female wedding party dancer. ìBeing a dancer at weddings, parties and private events ... helps me earn much more money than working in a shop,î Akram said. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

In this Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015, photo, Pakistani Waseem Akram, 27, prepares himself for a party at a friend's place in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. ìI am not transgendered. I am a man who simply enjoys dancing and needs money to have a better life and being a woman is the way,î he tells The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

In this Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015 photo, Pakistani Bakhtawar Ijaz, 43, wears a bra under the light of a lamp due to a power cut, while preparing himself to go out, at his home in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Across conservative Pakistan, where Islamic extremists launch near-daily attacks and many follow a strict interpretation of their Muslim faith, male cross-dressers like Ijaz face a challenge of balancing two identities. Some left their villages for the anonymity of a big city, fearing the reactions of their families while still concealing their identity from neighbors and co-workers. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

In this Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015 photo, Pakistani Bakhtawar Ijaz, 43, poses for a picture in an alley of a neighborhood in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Across conservative Pakistan, where Islamic extremists launch near-daily attacks and many follow a strict interpretation of their Muslim faith, those like Bakhtawar face a challenge of balancing two identities. Some left their villages for the anonymity of a big city, fearing the reactions of their families while still concealing identity from neighbors and co-workers. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

In this Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015 photo, Pakistani Bakhtawar Ijaz, 43, sits in front of the window combing his wig, while preparing himself to go out, at his place in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Across conservative Pakistan, where Islamic extremists launch near-daily attacks and many follow a strict interpretation of their Muslim faith, those like Bakhtawar face a challenge of balancing two identities. Some left their villages for the anonymity of a big city, fearing the reactions of their families while still concealing identity from neighbors and co-workers. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

In this Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015 photo, Pakistani Waseem Akram, 27, applies makeup on his face using natural light due to a power cut, as he prepares himself for a party at a friend's place in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. By day, Akram sells mobile phone accessories from an alleyway shop in an old neighborhood of this Pakistani city. But by night, Akram stands before a mirror, shaving away his beard and picking through mascara and rouge to become Rani, a female wedding party dancer. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

In this Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015, photo, Pakistani Waseem Akram, 27, center, plays a game with neighboring workers at a market in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. By day, Akram sells mobile phone accessories from an alleyway shop in an old neighborhood of this Pakistani city. But by night, Akram stands before a mirror, shaving away his beard and picking through mascara and rouge to become Rani, a female wedding party dancer (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

In this Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015 photo, Pakistani Bakhtawar Ijaz, 43, applies makeup on his face under the light of a lamp due to a power cut, as he prepares himself to go out, at his place in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. ìI am a very shy man. Eyes always follow me when I walk out of the apartment that I share with a few friends who share the same job like mine (as) dancers,î says Ijaz. ìBeing with them is like being with a family. When I am surrounded by them, I feel safe, respected and empowered.î (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

In this Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015 photo, Pakistani Amjad Mahmoud, 44, is reflected in a mirror while posing for a picture at his place, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Across conservative Pakistan, where Islamic extremists launch near-daily attacks and many follow a strict interpretation of their Muslim faith, those like Amjad face a challenge of balancing two identities. Some left their villages for the anonymity of a big city, fearing the reactions of their families while still concealing identity from neighbors and co-workers. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

In this Monday, Jan. 12, 2015 photo, Pakistani Amjad Mahmoud, 44, is reflected in a mirror while posing for a picture at his place, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Across conservative Pakistan, where Islamic extremists launch near-daily attacks and many follow a strict interpretation of their Muslim faith, those like Amjad face a challenge of balancing two identities. Some left their villages for the anonymity of a big city, fearing the reactions of their families while still concealing identity from neighbors and co-workers. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

In this Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015 photo, Pakistani Waseem Akram, 27, poses for a picture at the rooftop of a friend's place in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. By day, 27-year-old Waseem Akram sells mobile phone accessories from an alleyway shop in an old neighborhood of this Pakistani city. But by night, Akram stands before a mirror, shaving away his beard and picking through mascara and rouge to become Rani, a female wedding party dancer. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

In this Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015 photo, Pakistani Waseem Akram, 27, center, stands by the mobile shop where he works at a market in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. By day, Akram sells mobile phone accessories from an alleyway shop in an old neighborhood of this Pakistani city. But by night, he stands before a mirror, shaving away his beard and picking through mascara and rouge to become Rani, a female wedding party dancer. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

Felipe Dana | Dakar Rally

The Dakar Rally is an annual rally raid organized by the Amaury Sport Organisation. Most events since the inception in 1978 were from Paris, France , to Dakar, Senegal, but due to security threats in Mauritania, which led to the cancellation of the 2008 rally, the 2009 Dakar Rally was run in South America (Argentina and Chile). It has been held in South America each year since 2009. The race is open to amateur and professional entries, amateurs typically making up about eighty percent of the participants.

Honda rider Joan Barreda of Spain races during the fifth stage of the Dakar Rally 2015 between the cities of Copiapo and Antofagasta, Chile, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015. The race will finish on Jan. 17, passing through Bolivia and Chile before returning to Argentina where it started. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

A coyote walks along the runway of a small desert airport during the fourth stage of the Dakar Rally 2015 between Chilecito, Argentina and Copiapo, Chile, as the sun sets on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015. The race will finish on Jan. 17, passing through Bolivia and Chile before returning to Argentina where it started. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

KTM rider Milan Engel of Czech Republic races through the Canyons during the eleventh stage of the Dakar Rally 2015 between the cities of Salta and Termas de Rio Hondo, Argentina, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015. The race returned to Argentina after passing through Bolivia and Chile and will finish on Jan. 17 in Buenos Aires. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

Toyota driver Yazeed Alrajhi, from Saudi Arabia, and co-pilot Timo Gottschalk, from Germany, left, overtake KTM motorcyclist Damien Udry, from Switzerland, during the ninth stage of the Dakar Rally between the cities of Iquique and Calama, Chile, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015. The race will finish on Jan. 17, passing through Bolivia and Chile before returning to Argentina where it started. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

Yamaha quad rider Juan Carlos Carignani, from Italy, arrives with his face covered in dirt at the Uyuni camp after completing the seventh stage of the Dakar Rally 2015 between Iquique, Chile, and Uyuni, Bolivia, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015. The race will finish on Jan. 17, passing through Bolivia and Chile before returning to Argentina where it started. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

Buggy MD Rally driver Pascal Thomasse and co-pilot Pascal Larroque, both of France, race during the third stage of the Dakar Rally 2015 between the cities of San Juan and Chilecito, Argentina, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015. The race will finish on Jan. 17, passing through Bolivia and Chile and returning to Argentina. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

KTM rider Ruben Faria of Portugal races during the sixth stage of the Dakar Rally 2015 between the cities of Antofagasta and Iquique, Chile, Friday, Jan. 9, 2015. The race will finish on Jan. 17, passing through Bolivia and Chile before returning to Argentina where it started. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

KTM rider Marc Coma of Spain races during the sixth stage of the Dakar Rally 2015 between the cities of Antofagasta and Iquique, Chile, Friday, Jan. 9, 2015. The race will finish on Jan. 17, passing through Bolivia and Chile before returning to Argentina where it started. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

Honda rider Helder Rodrigues of Portugal races during the eleventh stage of the Dakar Rally 2015 between the cities of Termas de Rio Hondo and Rosario, Argentina, Friday, Jan. 16, 2015. The race returned to Argentina after passing through Bolivia and Chile and will finish on Jan. 17 in Buenos Aires. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

A Dakar helicopter flies over Peugeot driver Stephane Peterhansel and co-pilot Jean Paul Cottret, both of France, as they race through the dunes during the ninth stage of the Dakar Rally 2015 between the cities of Iquique and Calama, Chile, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015. The race will finish on Jan. 17, passing through Bolivia and Chile before returning to Argentina where it started. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

Honda rider Jean de Azevedo of Brazil, right, leads Yamaha rider Michael Metge of France, as they race across the Uyuni salt flat during the eighth stage of the Dakar Rally 2015 between Uyuni, Bolivia, and Iquique, Chile, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Chileís Pablo Quintanilla won the motorcycle eighth stage of the Rally, while Spainís Marc Coma took the overall lead. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

Competitors race across the Uyuni salt flats during the eighth stage of the Dakar Rally 2015 between Uyuni, Bolivia, and Iquique, Chile, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015. The race will finish on Jan. 17 in Argentina where it started. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

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