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Wyoming Public Media Photo Contest Winners - 2017

Dorina Kemper

Wyoming Through Listeners’ Eyes!

Congratulations to this year’s Wyoming Public Media Photo Contest winners! 

We were lucky to receive over a hundred beautiful entries from all over Wyoming, and it was difficult to choose the best. The winners were chosen by listeners who voted for their favorite in each category, Wyoming’s Nature, Wyoming's People, and Wyoming’s Eclipse. We have posted the top 4 in each category below, along with a short biography of each photographer.

For the many other beautiful photos, you are welcome to visit Wyoming Public Media’s 2017 Photo Contest site

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 Nature Category: Kathy Milks, "Always make time to play in the grass"
Credit Kathy Milks
Nature Category: Kathy Milks, "Always make time to play in the grass"

Kathy Milks

Always make time to play in the grass

My name is Kathleen (Kathy) Milks.  I grew up in Upstate NY and have lived in Laramie since 1994.  I'm self employed as a massage therapist working in Laramie Spinal Care Center and also employed part time as the massage therapist for UW Athletics.  My love of photography started in elementary school and has only grown, in the last few years I started my own business Dynamic Endeavors Photography, taking full advantage of the natural beauty that is available in Wyoming, sharing as I see and experience it.  I spend a lot of my free time wandering in our amazing public lands with my pups and friends, there is always something new to see!  This photo is of a special little girl, Buttercup, at Prairie Monarch Bison Ranch here in Laramie.  She was abandoned by her mom and I have had the honor of helping by filling as one of her foster 'moms'!  It's been one of the most incredible experiences of my life, and I'm so grateful to Dylan and Cindy!  This was from a morning walk early in her life.

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 Nature Category: Tamalya Bartow, "Road to Nowhere"
Credit Tamalya Bartow
Nature Category: Tamalya Bartow, "Road to Nowhere"

Tamalya Bartow

Road to Nowhere

My name is Tamalya Bartow.  I am originally from and currently reside in Guernsey, Wyoming.  I retired from the United States Navy in 2001 and returned home to this great state.  I love nature and recently started getting into photography. 

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 Nature Category: Shawna Reichert, "Hoisthouse in Sunrise, WY"
Credit Shawna Reichert
Nature Category: Shawna Reichert, "Hoisthouse in Sunrise, WY"

Shawna Reichert

Hoisthouse in Sunrise, WY

My name is Shawna Reichert, and I hold many jobs here in Guernsey, WY.  Wife, mother, and substitute teacher fill up my days, but since moving to Guernsey in 2009 my passion for photography has been reignited.  I traveled a lot of the country working as a professional photographer in my early 20's, but the rich history and scenery of Wyoming makes the other states I've been in pale in comparison. With a state park, lots of wildlife, abandoned mining towns, and mountain ranges so close, it has fueled me to run my own business named Shawna L. Reichert photography.  Whether I shoot senior pictures, family photos, athletic events, or natural/wildlife scenery, I always try to capture a story within each picture.  I want people to feel my photos just as much as they see them because I don't feel like I chose photography, but rather photography chose me, and I want to share that with others.

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 Nature Category: Lane Tomme, "Winter Ascent Snowy Range"
Credit Lane Tomme
Nature Category: Lane Tomme, "Winter Ascent Snowy Range"

Lane Tomme

Winter Ascent Snowy Range

I enjoy any winter activities outside like Mountaineering and skiing. I enjoy using photography and video as an outlet to show my interests in it. 

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 People Category: Christopher Martin, "Meet Dillon the Glass Blower"
Credit Christopher Martin
People Category: Christopher Martin, "Meet Dillon the Glass Blower"

Christopher Martin

Meet Dillon the Glass Blower

Meet Dillon, he's an iconic bartender in Laramie, Wyoming. Not to be overlooked, though, is his talent in turning glass into priceless art. He's a kind soul who is clearly passionate about his art.

We all see a lot in life, but I just can't let those moments pass by as mere memories. I'm a Wyoming native who loves capturing outdoor adventures, telling stories, and encouraging anyone who will listen to explore the wild places that evade top 10 lists.

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 People Category: Larkin Leal, "Wheatland Totality"
Credit Larkin Leal
People Category: Larkin Leal, "Wheatland Totality"

Larkin Leal

Wheatland Totality

My name is Larkin Leal and I was born in Laramie. I have my Master's in Public History and I coach middle school drama. My family's ranch has been just north of Wheatland since the 1880s. When we heard that totality was crossing over the ranch, my best friend and I planned a road trip to bring my two year old daughter Evelyn to visit grandma and grandpa and of course to watch the eclipse. She had been running around paying no attention until totality hit. Then she stopped dead in her tracks and started shouting that she could see the moon. It was really an awesome event for all of us.

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 People Category: Leslie Eglseder, "All You Need is a Fishing Pole and a Fishing Buddy"
Credit Leslie Eglseder
People Category: Leslie Eglseder, "All You Need is a Fishing Pole and a Fishing Buddy"

Leslie Eglseder

All You Need is a Fishing Pole and a Fishing Buddy

My name is Leslie Eglseder from Casper, WY.  My husband and I have a 2 year old son. I enjoy reading, photography and the outdoors.

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 People Category: Shannon Fagan, "Stand Proud"
Credit Shannon Fagan
People Category: Shannon Fagan, "Stand Proud"

Shannon Fagan

Stand Proud

My name is Shannon Fagan, I live in Encampment, WY. I spend my free time hiking, rowing the river, camping, snowshoeing all around loving the mountains that I’m hugged by! I love including photography in all my adventures, so I can share my journey with everyone! 

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 Eclipse Category: Christopher Martin, "Wind Rivers Eclipse"
Credit Christopher Martin
Eclipse Category: Christopher Martin, "Wind Rivers Eclipse"

Christopher Martin

Wind Rivers Eclipse

The rocky peaks of the Wind Rivers seemed like they would pair great with the eclipse, which was convenient because backpacking in the Wind Rivers was something that was on my bucket list as a Wyoming native. Surprisingly, before the eclipse I never cut out the time to go to the mountain range for a backpacking trip. 
 
 
I knew that I wanted to photograph the eclipse with something in the foreground since most photos I see feature the eclipse on a canvas of blackness. I thought the rocky peaks of the Winds would be reach high enough to photobomb the eclipse just the way I wanted so close to the middle of the day on the 21st. I embarked on my backpacking trip in the Bridger Wilderness 2 days before the eclipse and didn't find the right peak until the day before. At 11:40 on the 20th I got out my compass, noted the direction in the sky the sun would be, figured out the angle I'd need to shoot up, and saw a distant peak that looked like it had everything I needed for my shot. From there I climbed up the nameless peak in the wilderness and scouted my shot setup. It looked like it would all work out. On the 21st I got into position and waited. I was worried the sun would be too high, or maybe I overcompensated and the peak would block the whole thing. As the event started happening, I could tell it was actually going to go very close to how I planned and I was stoked! I took this shot during totality and I loved the detail in the peak's rocky face and the fact that you can see the craters of the moon, too. There are even a few stars shining through.
 
 
I got what I set out to shoot, and it felt great to capture. I don't know if I'll ever want to put in the work again to enjoy the beautiful place where I took this photo, but I guess that's the beauty of capturing an event that won't come to the Wind Rivers again in my lifetime. It helped me convince myself to embark on an incredible journey to an even more incredible place.
 
We all see a lot in life, but I just can't let those moments pass by as mere memories. I'm a Wyoming native who loves capturing outdoor adventures, telling stories, and encouraging anyone who will listen to explore the wild places that evade top 10 lists.

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 Eclipse Category: Geoff Hiatt, "Solar Amethyst", taken from Elk Flats, Teton National Park
Credit Geoff Hiatt
Eclipse Category: Geoff Hiatt, "Solar Amethyst", taken from Elk Flats, Teton National Park

Geoff Hiatt

"Solar Amethyst", taken from Elk Flats, Teton National Park.

Geoff is a Wyoming native from Sinclair, and is currently a student at the University of Wyoming.  He enjoys coffee, photography, and traveling, and combines the three as often as possible.  www.triskelux.com

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 Eclipse Category: Shawna Reichert, "Great American Eclipse"
Credit Shawna Reichert
Eclipse Category: Shawna Reichert, "Great American Eclipse"

Shawna Reichert

Great American Eclipse

My name is Shawna Reichert, and I hold many jobs here in Guernsey, WY.  Wife, mother, and substitute teacher fill up my days, but since moving to Guernsey in 2009 my passion for photography has been reignited.  I traveled a lot of the country working as a professional photographer in my early 20's, but the rich history and scenery of Wyoming makes the other states I've been in pale in comparison. With a state park, lots of wildlife, abandoned mining towns, and mountain ranges so close, it has fueled me to run my own business named Shawna L. Reichert photography.  Whether I shoot senior pictures, family photos, athletic events, or natural/wildlife scenery, I always try to capture a story within each picture.  I want people to feel my photos just as much as they see them because I don't feel like I chose photography, but rather photography chose me, and I want to share that with others.

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 Eclipse Category: Austin Ledingham, "Totality Flares in Casper"
Credit Austin Ledingham
Eclipse Category: Austin Ledingham, "Totality Flares in Casper"

Austin Ledingham

Totality Flares in Casper

My name is Austin Ledingham. I am originally from Utah but am now proud to call Sheridan, Wyoming my home. By day I am an orthodontist, but in my free time I enjoy gardening, woodworking, and recently began exploring astrophotography. The Great American Eclipse was the perfect opportunity to practice my new hobby. This photo was taken during the height of totality at the Rocky Mountain Gun Club just outside of Casper, WY. 

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Credit Morgan Dickerson

Morgan Dickerson

A Colorful Fall

My name is Morgan Dickerson.  I live in Cheyenne, Wyoming.  I am 16 years old and a junior at Central High School where I am involved in dance team, key club, student senate as well as many AP classes. A couple of years ago, I developed an interest in photography by taking pictures on my phone. I saved up money, by doing odd jobs, to get my own camera about a year and a half ago.  Ever since then, I have taken more of an interest in photography as well as videography. I love taking pictures because I feel it is the way I can express my creativity the most.  In the future, I would like to pursue a career in the film industry while having photography as a hobby.

View the many other Wyoming photo entries on the WPM 2016 Photo Contest Woobox Gallery.

View previous years' Photo Contests on the WPM Best of Wyomingpage.

 

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