2024 North Dakota Governors Photo Contest Winners
With a record-breaking 813 submissions from 170 photographers, this year’s contest exceeded expectations, celebrating the beauty of North Dakota's four seasons and unique experiences through the lens of talented artists.
Launched in 2004, the Governor’s Photo Contest encourages North Dakota amateur photographers to submit photos that capture the unique things to see and do in North Dakota.
The 2024 contest embraced the state's diverse climate and activities by introducing new categories based on seasons. Winners were chosen for stunning scenery across all four seasons (Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter) as well as captivating activities for each (Fall Activities, Spring Events, Summer Activities, Winter Activities). Additionally, photographers had the option to submit their entries through two convenient new methods: Instagram and a direct online upload option. Winning submissions will be used in North Dakota Tourism’s promotional materials.
This year the contest had a total of 813 entries from 170 photographers. Since it was launched, the annual contest has received more than 18,400 photos.
Prints of the winning photographs will be displayed on the 18th, or observatory floor, of the State Capitol in May of 2024, through a partnership with the North Dakota Council on the Arts.
AAA has been a proud sponsor of the Governor’s Photo contest for the past 15 years providing prizes and exposure for winning photographers.
Fall Scenery
Category Winner:
Bismarck photographer Paulette Bullinger with “Sims Historic Church” in Sims, ND.
- Located on the Old Red Old Ten Scenic Byway, the Sims Church stands out as a landmark worth driving to see. The water reflects the structure and brings balance to the overall image, drawing the viewer’s eye back to the church.
Honorable Mentions:
Minot photographer Corey Serr with “The Three Musketeers” in the Little Missouri National Grasslands.
- Three elusive big horn sheep stand together, set off by the colorful fall trees. Their eyes are trained on us as we reflect our gaze on them.
Amenia photographer Miranda Lindstrom with “Harvest Grass” near Amenia, ND.
- The rural landscape is ablaze with fall color, catching the viewer’s eye. Still water reflects the colors on this clear, bright day.
Fall Activities
Category Winner:
Williston photographer Lindy Beardsley with “Chasing Sun or Chasing Antlers?” near Stanley, ND.
- A hunter walks through the trees, searching for something. The sun flare in the trees brings life the image and the muted colors stir the pensive feeling echoed in the title.
Honorable Mentions:
Minot photographer Cody Schmidt with “Dove Watching” near Stanley.
- Both hunter and dog scan the area, searching for their prey. The lines of the tree trunk and the juxtaposition of the subjects pull a viewer’s eye into the scene, and back, creating wonder as to who will spot a dove first.
Golden Valley photographer Casey Helling with “Can You See what I See?” at Lake Sakakawea.
- Clear night skies and nearly still water surround the subject in the colors of the northern lights. The stillness of the foreground creates the feeling that the lights are dancing along the horizon.
Spring Scenery
Category Winner:
Bismarck photographer Paulette Bullinger with “Blossoms in May” at the North Dakota Capitol Grounds.
- Colorful spring blossoms frame out this Capitol scene, awash in a whimsical evening light.
Honorable Mention:
Washburn photographer Kevin Hice with “Hen, Redhead with Ducklings” at Rice Lake.
- A hen oversees her brood on an isolated rock surrounded by still waters. The blues and greens with the stillness of the water suggests tranquility.
Spring Activities
Category Winner:
Fargo photographer Jay Larson with “Trail Happy” on the Maah Daah Hey Trail south of Medora.
- Mountain bikers pause before a steep incline on the Maah Daah Hey Trail in the North Dakota badlands. The joy radiates from the adventurers under the blue skies of a beautiful North Dakota day.
Honorable Mention:
Lisbon photographer Angie Waletzko with “Family Flyers” at the Jamestown Kite Festival.
- Brightly colored giant kites fill the sky and draw our attention to the subjects concentrating on keeping their own kite afloat at the Jamestown Kite Festival. The number of kites let us know that there are several people around but the subjects feel like they are in a world all their own at this fun family event.
Summer Scenery
Category Winner:
Bismarck photographer David Tutterrow with “Summer Flowers” at International Peace Garden.
- Bright yellow-orange blooms seem nearly larger than life with the angle of this scene from the International Peace Garden. The vibrancy of the blue skies, green trees, and colorful flowers invite us all to look again at this unique site.
Honorable Mentions:
Bismarck photographer Jen Raab with “Searching for a Pot of Gold” in Little Missouri State Park.
- A rainbow nearly perfectly outlines a storm front, ending deep within the endless rugged landscape of Little Missouri State Park. It may not be a pot of gold but it is definitely a quiet retreat where we can unplug from the busyness of today.
Mandan photographer Erika Edwards with “Pocket of Sunshine” near Harwood.
- Bright colors fill the sky and light filters through the sunflower petals, creating a glow and sense of wonder around what too often is considered a typical late summer scene in North Dakota. The way the colors catch the viewer’s eye gives us all a chance to take in the beauty of it all.
Summer Activities
Category Winner:
Mandan photographer Theresa Mallory with “Celebrate! Bismarck Looking at Mandan.”
- Fireworks fill the horizon line as Mandan celebrates the 4th of July. The contrasting colors across the dark sky showcase a rare view of the magnitude of the celebration this community has every year.
Honorable Mentions:
Bismarck photographer Tangula Unruh with “Soar High” in Medora.
- The Hot Air Balloon festival is always a visually stunning event in Medora. The colors of the crafts captured in this shot set off the colors of the North Dakota badland’s formations below. This scene depicts several hot air balloons in flight and if you look closely, you’ll see a person in the foreground pulling the lines for another.
Minot photographer Brian Heskin with “Little Shell Powwow” in New Town, ND.
- Peeking through the top of the arbor, we see drum circles, colorful regalia, the color guard, and the concentric circular formation of grand entry. The more a viewer looks at the image, the more there is to see.
Winter Scenery
Category Winner:
Golden Valley photographer Casey Helling with “Beulah Bay Sunrise” on Lake Sakakawea.
- The fiery tones of the morning sky offset the frozen rocks with a glow that makes this chilly scene feel warmer than we know it was that day. The light plays in the mist of the water providing a feeling of movement in this beautiful scene.
Honorable Mention:
Cavalier photographer Shanice Bailey with “Hallson Church Vignette” at Icelandic State Park near Cavalier, ND.
- Careful framing of tree branches surrounds this historical landmark in a beautifully serene way. The shadows and the angle of the light from the time of day make the image almost look like it is black and white, but hints of color bleed through the branches and the chimney, making it feel as those we are peering into the past.
Winter Activities
Category Winner:
Rolla photographer Brock Mitchell with “Tip-Ups at Sun Up” at Lewis and Clark State Park, near Epping, ND.
- The day is early enough that the sky is still ablaze with color, but that pales in comparison to the smile on the face of the young boy holding the catch of the day. Who wouldn’t want to hit the ice for a chance at joy like that?
Honorable Mention:
Fargo photographer Tim Samuelson with “Frosty Morning Ride” in Fargo.
- Bright white fills the shot with snow on the ground, frost on the trees, and overcast skies, but if you look closely you’ll see our North Dakota spirit riding strong through this winter wonderland landscape.
Best in Show
“Celebrate! Bismarck Looking at Mandan” by Theresa Mallory.
- Even though it was a tough decision to choose one as the best out of more than 800 entries, this image stood out because of the contrast, the colors, and the feeling of wonder evoked by the subject matter. When we think of 4th of July celebrations and the beauty of the fireworks, this photo pulls together the experience of being complete surrounded by celebration.
Thank you to everyone who submitted photos for the 2024 Governors Photo Contest!