Select a sunlit setting to photograph the award. Sunlight provides natural and balanced light across the object. Arrange the object so sunlight enters the glass award at a horizontal angle. This angle is referred to as rake lighting and produces balanced contrast and eliminates sunlight reflection along the glass surface.
Flood the glass award with artificial light if sunlight is low or unavailable. Angle two photoflood lights onto tripods. Place tripods in front of the object at perpendicular angles -- one on the right side and one on the left side. Angle lights down at a vertical 45 degree angle. Power lights on. Place a black backdrop one to two inches behind the object. A black nylon cloth, for example, will properly reflect any light shining through the object back onto its surface.
Attach your camera onto a tripod. Evenly adjust all three tripod legs to set at equal heights. Focus the camera at the center of the object and photograph. Attaching the camera to a tripod eliminates camera movement and reduces the chances of a blurred image.