2024-2025 High School Photo Contest Winners

First Place - East Side Story by Julia Copas, McCallum High School, Austin, Texas

Second Place - Double Exposure by April Surac, West Orange High School. North Cocas, Florida

Third Place - Montana’s Shakespeare by Nalani Jordan, Powell High School, Powell, Wyoming

Top Ten Finalists

  • Mano de Dios by April Surac, West Orange High School, North Cocas, Florida

  • Driving Through Traffic by Colby Russell, Columbia High School, Nampa, Idaho

  • Cake for One by Natalie Billette, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • Crunch by Ana Corona, Columbia High School, Nampa, Idaho

  • Barrel by Layla Dilworth, Powell High School Powell, Wyoming

  • Flowing Smoke by Emma Rouns, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • Disaronno by Ryan Alberding, Arvada Clearmont High School, Clearmont, Wyoming

Top Twenty Finalists

  • Senior Scuffle by by Julia Copas, McCallum High School, Austin, Texas

  • Touchdown in the Sand by Barrett Cochran, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • Julio by Noah Keintz, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • Reflection of the Soul by Nikolas Pritchard, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • Perspective by Kayleeona Heath, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • Royal Hand by Ryan Alberding, Arvada Clearmont High School, Clearmont, Wyoming

  • Dancing Under the Lights by Madison Tobin, Bozeman High School, Bozeman, Montana

  • Unbreakable Bonds by Alyvia Sperry, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • Homerun by Abigail Burrell, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

annual photo contest logo

4th Annual Amateur & Professional Photo Contest & Exhibition

Adult Amateur Photographers

Entry fee - $15 each for up to 3 images. 

Open to all non-professional amateur photographers living in the continental United States. Including college students, teachers, and photo enthusiasts. Entrants are limited to three entries in this category. Photographs previously published cannot be entered in this category.

Professional Photographers

Entry Fee $20 each for up to 3 images. 

Photographers earning income from their photographs are considered professional and must enter in this category. Photographs previously published cannot be entered in this category. There is a limit of three photographic images in this category. All images must meet the requirements as described for the professional division.

Part 1: Digital Submission Guidelines

Entering images in this part of the process is free. Entry fees will be collected for the number of images selected for the contest and exhibition.

  1. You may enter up to 5 digital images. Entrants will receive notification on which images have been selected for inclusion in the contest no later than January 10, 2026.

  2. Digital files requirements JPEG image only Longest end no more than 7 inches 300 ppi

  3. Rename your files Last name, first initial of first name_title

    Example: SmithJ_Bision

  4. Click here for the submission form to enter the contest.

Part 2: Printing and Framing Requirements 

  • Black metal or wood frames only (Plastic frames will not be accepted)

  • Must be ready to hang

  • White mats only

  • Frame sizes – one of these two sizes to fit gallery hanging requirements.

    • 16 x 20

    • 20 x 24

  • The photographer’s name, division and category for entry, and sale price, should be marked on the back of the entry. There will be informational sheets to fill out when you drop off your photos. No commission is taken for any image sold. 

Part 3: How to deliver framed selected images

Photographers in the Amateur and Professional categories are responsible for the delivery and pickup of their entries. If you ship your entries, you must include a pre-paid return shipping label including insurance. 

  • Shipped photos must be received by Thursday January 22, 2026. Photos need to be shipped to o NWC Photo Contest, 231 West Sixth Street, Fagerberg Building, Powell, Wyoming 82435. For shipping questions, call or email Christine Garceau: christine.garceau@nwc.edu or (307) 754-6497. 

  • Drop off matted and framed photographs at the Plaza Diane, 211 N Bent Street, during gallery hours: Tuesday, January 20, 2026 (3-6 pm), Wednesday, January 21, 2026 (3-6 pm), Thursday January 22, 2026 (3-6 pm) or Sunday January 25, 2026 (1-3 pm). For delivery questions call or email Jen Litterer-Trevino: jen.litterer-trevino@nwc.edu or (307) 754-6160.

  • Upon delivery of your entries, make your check out to Northwest College Photo Contest 

  • Fill out gallery information form (link to form below) and leave it with your photographs.  

  • Entries can be picked up at Plaza Diane on during gallery hours: Tuesday, February 24, 2026 (3-6 pm), Wednesday, February 25, 2026 (3-6 pm), Thursday February 26, 2026 (3-6 pm) or Sunday February 28, 2026 (1-3 pm).

  • Any photographs not picked up by Sunday February 28, 2026 will be taken back to Photographic Communications program in Fagerberg building, room 42, at Northwest College.

Digital Submissions deadline October 15, 2025-January 8, 2026

Prizes

Adult Amateur Photographers

  • 1st Place – $100

  • 2nd Place – $50

  • 3rd Place – $25

Professional Photographers

  • 1st Place – $150

  • 2nd Place – $50

  • 3rd Place – $25

Copyright Information

By entering this contest, you give permission to the Photographic Communications program at Northwest College to print your images for display as well as publish them in the local newspapers, the Northwest College website and the Photographic Communication Facebook page.

Additionally, when possible, entrants should obtain permission and a copyright release from any individual identifiable in entry photographs. Individuals featured in photos have the right to know their images may be published on social media websites.

*If your images contain any material or elements that are not owned by you, and are subject to copyrights of third parties, the entrant is responsible for obtaining any and all releases and consents necessary to permit exhibition and use of the photograph as described above. (These might include paintings, sculptures or other works of art made by someone other than the photographer submitting the images).

Opening Reception & Awards - Thursday, January 29, 2026

6:00-7:30 pm at Plaza Diane Gallery (211 N Bent Street), Powell, WY 82435

2023-2024 High School Photo Contest Winners

First Place - The Loud Thoughts by Knoelle Ferguson, Capital High School, Helena, Montana.

Second Place - Caterpillar by Livi Palmer, Montrose High School Montrose, Colorado.

Third Place - Skier by Eli Bunding, Bozeman High School, Bozeman, Montana.

Honorable Mention - Winter Wonderland by Mason Schuyler, Bozeman High School, Bozeman, Montana.

Honorable Mention - Forest Buck by Henry Riendeau, Bozeman High School, Bozeman, Montana

Top Ten Finalists

  • To Forever and Always by Olivia Kristin Dewey, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • Colors on the Wall by Anabella Tangen, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • Bridger Bowl Chairlift by Henry Riendeau, Bozeman High School, Bozeman, Montana.

  • Light Painting by Eli Bunding, Bozeman High School, Bozeman, Montana

  • Winter Wonderland by Mason Schuyler, Bozeman High School, Bozeman, Montana.

  • Through a Frame by Henry Riendeau, Bozeman High School, Bozeman, Montana.

2022-2023 High School Photo Contest Winners

First Place - Generations by Olivia Dewey, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

Second Place - American Welder by Raelynn Staley, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

Third Place - Racking to the Finish Line by Bailey Ready, Adrian High School, Nayssa, Oregon

Honorable Mention - On Earth as It is in Heaven by by Daniel Shi, Cranbrook Kingswood School, Bloomfield Hill, Michigan

Top Ten Finalists

  • Sweets and Sass by Emma Allred, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • Solitude by Amanda Campos, Skyview High School, Nampa, Idaho

  • Bokeh by J. D. Reighard, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • Soccer Game by Anamarie Screnock, Bozeman High School, Bozeman, Montana

  • Girl Dance with Mom by Daniel Shi, Cranbrook Kingswood School, Bloomfield Hill, Michigan

  • Autumn Morning Mist by Emma Coleman, Eisenhower High School, Yakima, Washington

Top Twenty Semifinalist

  • Down the Field by Katie Newett, Greenwood Community Hight School, Greenwood, Indiana.

  • Blue Clock Town by Eduardo Mendoza Macias, Eisenhower High School, Yakima, Washington

  • Cub Pride by Gillian Childs, Brenham High School, Brenham, Texas

Top Twenty Semifinalist Continued

  • Lap to Victory by Sara Diaz, High Point Regional High School, Sussex, New Jersey

  • Kayak Bliss by Josiah Boston, Amsterdam High School, Amsterdam, New York.

  • Swing by Richard Borden, Springfield Clark CTC, Springfield, Ohio

  • The Oculus by Matthew Silvonen, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • Fall Forest by Emma Coleman, Eisenhower High School, Yakima, Washington

  • Flower Power by Emma Righetti, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • Cozy Fluff 2 by Chloe Alleman, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • Santa’s Cookies by Audrey Schmidt, Brenham High School, Brenham, Texas

  • Cooper’s Gaze by Morgan Hatling, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • Savage Advertisement by Noah Blackwell, Springfield Clark CTC, Springfield, Ohio

  • Female Buffalo by Amanda Price, Bozeman High School, Bozeman, Montana

  • Pupil by Nate Pailthorpe, Bozeman High School, Bozeman, Montana

  • Mirror Portal by Elania Teninty, Mountain View High School, Boise, Idaho.

2020-2021 Quick Fire High School Contest Winners

First Place - “The Veins of Yellowstone” by Sydney Bird, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

Second Place - “Flip” by Zoe Jackson, Bozeman High School, Bozeman, Montana

Third Place - “Desert Wanderer” by Benton Lehman, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

Top Twenty Selects

  • “Hands of Time” by Jaida Green, Capital High, Helena, Montana,

  • “A Spoon Full of Sugar” by Aubrey Neidich, Bozeman High School, Bozeman, Montana

  • “Through the Green” by Tamryn Blom, Natrona County High School, Casper, Wyoming

  • “Frozen in Time” by Jaida Green, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • “Untitled” by Breanna DeMars, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • “Broken” by Carson DesRosier, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • “A Tribute To Beth Harmon” by Sienna Geddes, Bozeman High School, Bozeman, Montana

  •   “Aubade” by Sienna Geddes, Bozeman High School, Bozeman Montana

Top Twenty Selects Continued

  • “Crying Color” by Zoe Jackson, Bozeman High School

  • “Flying Machine” by Benton Lehman, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • “Floral Mind” by Aleksandra (Shasha) Shkurigin, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • “White Flower” by Logan Smith, Natrona County High School, Casper, Wyoming

  • “Blow Through Negativity” by Andrew Williams, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • “Champion” by Yasmine Vega, Natrona County High School, Casper, Wyoming

  • “Do Not Enter” by Mason Wendland, Natrona County High School, Casper, Wyoming

  • “Cake Drizzle” by Sydney Bird, Capital High School, Helena, Montana, Genevieve Anderson

  • “Walking Into the Future” by Andrew Williams, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • “Swagger” by Harlee Tille, Natrona County High School, Casper, Wyoming

  • “Mountain Madness” by Kaydynce Chinen, Capital High School, Helena, Montan'a

  • “Untitled” by Luke Dowdy, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

2019-2020 High School Contest Winners

First Place - “Halo” by Ethan Peters, Flagstaff High School, Flagstaff, Arizona

Second Place - “Drippin” by Constance Clark, Columbia High School, Nampa, Idaho

Third Place - “A Silent Tores Del Pines” by Avishek Ghosh, Pondarosa High School, Parker, Arizona

Top Twenty Selects

  • “Rolling Neon” by Amariyah, Highwood Capital High School, Helena Montana

  • “A Spoon Full of Sugar” by Aubrey Neidich, Bozeman High School, Bozeman, Montana

  • “The Building to Heaven” by Carter Weber, Capital High School, Helena Montana

  • “Colett” by Constance Clark, Columbia High School, Nampa, Idaho

  • “Untitled” by Hazel Roulson, Bozeman High School, Bozeman, Montana

  • “Wiser Physique” by Joe Weidinger, Flagstaff High School, Flagstaff, Arizona

  • “Tire Swing” by Joshua Cornelius, Flagstaff High School, Flagstaff, Arizona

Top Twenty Selects Continued

  • “Ruin” by Kendra Armstrong, Flagstaff High School, Flagstaff, Arizona

  • “Ghost Riders” by Lauryn Feist, Capital High School, Helena Montana

  • “Cityscape” by Marc Martinze, Guam High School, Guam

  • “Fishers” by Phuong Nguyen, Helena High School, Helena, Montana

  • “Autumn” by Rylie Bolen, Mountain View High School, Meridian, Idaho

  • “Books of Shadows” by Jhovan Limones-Aviles, Flagstaff High School, Flagstaff, Arizona

  • “Duality” by Tom Rath, Bozeman High School, Bozeman, Montana

  • “Mountains” by Tyler Jordan, Timberline High School, Boise, Idaho

  • “Eyeglass” by Tyler McFarland, Timberline High School, Boise, Idaho

2018-2019 Contest Winners

First Place: “Diana” by Guillermo Granados, Gresham High School, Portland, Oregon

Second Place: “Flatlay” by Aubrey Johnson, Bozeman High School, Bozeman, Montana

Third Place: “The Exotic Shorthair” by Delaney Ormsby, Bozeman High School, Bozeman, Montana 

Top Twenty Selects

  • “Portrait” by Lydia Fife, Capital High School, Helena, MT

  • “Marta” by Claudia Turella, Capital High School, Helena, MT

  • “Father” by Lillan Gillstrom, Bozeman High School, Bozeman, MT

  • “Portrait” by Shaylynn Austin, Laurel High School, Laurel, MT

  • “The Thinker” by Nathania Au, Palo Alto Senior High School, Palo Alto, CA

  • “Shadows” by Aubrey Johnson, Boseman High School, Boseman, MT

  • “Spark of Light” by Tyler McFarland, Timberline High School, Boise, ID

  • “T-20” by Arthur Koster, Boseman High School, Boseman, MT

  • “Young Cello” by Danielle Abaya, Timberline High School, Boise, ID

  • “Dive” by Richard McAllister, Timberline High School, Boise, ID

Top Twenty Selects Continued

  • “Race Day” by Cheyenne Hume, Cody High School, Cody, WY 

  • “Christmas Future” by Kathaleen Croffut, Eisenhower High School, Yakima, WA

  • “Alaska” by Kylie Hanson, Capital High School, Helena, MT

  • “Eagle” by John Russell, Bozeman High School, Bozeman, MT

  • “Lonely Juniper” by Benton Lehman, Capital High School, Helena, MT 

  • “Geometric Green” by Kendall Rath, Capital High School, Helena, MT

  • “Free Solo” by David Gordon, Journeys School, Jackson, WY

2017-2018 Contest Winners

First Place: “Emilie Bratlien” by Wade Bratlien, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

Second Place: “Flag” by Clara McRae, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

Third Place: “Homestead ” by Hayden Tillinger, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

Top Twenty Selects

  • “Butterfly“ by Shanon Murray, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • “ Prairie Grasses “ by Willa McArdle, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • “Elk“ by Rye Lee Van Diest, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • “Maija“ by Anna Kerins, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • “Football“ by Kendall Isaacson, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • “Fall“ by Mickenzi Purdom, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • “Leaves“ by Sloane Chapman, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • “Bold Colors“ by Willa McArdle, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • “Hole in the Wall“ by Reese Blossom, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • “Galaxies in Your Mind“ by Rebekkah Hayes, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

Top Twenty Selects Continued:

  • “Band“ by Shiloh Corcoran, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • “Montana Woman“ by Seely Hoffman, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • “Our Broken World“ by Kendall Smith, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • “Crowd“ by Clara McRae, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • “Lunch Break” by Jazmyne Collingwood, Graybull High School, Graybull, Wyoming

  • “Strings“ by Kendall Isaacson, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • “Portrait” by Clara McRae, Capital High School, Helena, Montana