Northern Exposure Pro Photo Contest

The Winners!

Photographer of the YearMaya Giron, Rochester Post Bulletin
Sports Photographer of the YearMatt Gade, 605 Sports
Runner UpAbbie Parr, AP

Sports Photographer of the Year, First Place: Matt Gade, 605 Sports

Sports Photographer of the Year, Runner Up: Abbie Parr, AP

FeatureMatt Gade, 605 Sports
Second placeJoe Ahlquist, Rochester Post Bulletin
Third place David Samson, Fargo Forum
Honorable mentionCaroline Yang, Independent
Honorable mentionDavid Samson, Fargo Forum

News Feature, First Place: Matt Gade, 605 Sports

People carry torches en route to the beetle before setting it on fire during the 11th annual Burning Beetle event on Saturday, Jan. 20 at Pageant Park in Custer, S.D.

News Feature, Second Place: Joe Ahlquist, Rochester Post Bulletin

Cathy Greenslit takes a break from clearing leaves to play with her granddaughter Claire Barton, 3, on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, in Rochester. “She likes to be a big helper,” said Greenslit.

News Feature, Third Place: David Samson, Fargo Forum

The U.S. Navy Blue Angels soar over north Fargo during the Fargo Air Show on Saturday, July 27, 2024.

News Feature, Honorable Mention: Caroline Yang, Independent

The sun sets over the Red River Valley Fair in West Fargo on Thursday, July 11, 2024.

News Feature, Honorable Mention: David Samson, Fargo Forum

Fairgoers enjoy a ride on the swings at the Minnesota State Fair in St. Paul, MN on September 1, 2024.
General NewsSaskia Hatvany, La Crosse Tribune
Second placeJoe Ahlquist, Rochester Post Bulletin
Third place Jackson Forderer, Independent
Honorable mentionJoe Ahlquist, Rochester Post Bulletin
Honorable mentionSaskia Hatvany, La Crosse Tribune

General News, First Place: Saskia Hatvany, La Crosse Tribune

A resident of Rose Street in La Crosse peaks out of his tent as police officers arrive on the site to help clear the encampment on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. People living in the marshes were served a notice 30 days before the encampment was cleared.

General News, Second Place: Joe Ahlquist, Rochester Post Bulletin

Chase Lindquist, a Harriet Bishop Elementary School fourth-grader, watches a livestream of the eclipse before attempting to see it for himself outside his school Monday, April 8, 2024, in Rochester. Due to cloud cover the partial eclipse was not visible over Rochester.

General News, Third Place: Jackson Forderer, Independent

Eric Henderson consoles his wife Louise Henderson after she looked at the site where the Dam Store and a family friend’s house used to be near Rapidan Dam on Saturday, June 29, 2024. “I watched one of my best friends lose everything,” said Louise. Louise’s great-grandfather Jorgen Nelson started the Dam Store in 1910 by selling sandwiches to the workers building the dam.

General News, Honorable Mention: Saskia Hatvany, La Crosse Tribune

Evelyn Flock, 9, receives her champion award during the La Crosse Interstate Fair Beef exhibition on Thursday, July 17.

General News, Honorable Mention: Joe Ahlquist, Rochester Post Bulletin

Gabriel Green gets down on one knee and asks Michelle Clark to marry him after surprising Clark, owner of Shell’s Kitchen, with a new, licensed, and ready-to-operate food truck on Valentine’s Day on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024, at the commercial center off of Clare Lane Northeast near Century High School in Rochester.
PortraitMaya Giron, Rochester Post Bulletin
Second placeJackson Forderer, Independent
Third place Joseph Cross, Think Iowa City
Honorable mentionBen Brewer, Independent
Honorable mentionJoe Ahlquist, Rochester Post Bulletin

Portrait, First Place: Maya Giron, Rochester Post Bulletin

Century senior Shaun Wysocki, who recently triple jumped a Century school record 45-feet-9 1/4, is pictured on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at Century High School in Rochester. Wysocki was also named the Big Nine Conference’s Player of the Year in basketball this past season.

Portrait, Second Place: Jackson Forderer, Independent

Taurus Grantham, 15, pauses for a portrait while walking home in a snowstorm that continued to drop large amounts of snow in Marshall, Minn. on Monday, March 25, 2024.

Portrait, Third Place: Joseph Cross, Think Iowa City

Iowa’s Lucy Olsen poses for a photo during women’s basketball media day, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.

Portrait, Honorable Mention: Ben Brewer, Independent

Judith Achterhof, a residential neighbor of Croix Breeze Dairy poses for a portrait outside her home in Emerald, Wisconsin on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. Achterhof expressed her exasperation with the St. Croix County water quality issues as a result of agricultural runoff, specifically from Croix Breeze’s former owners.

Portrait, Honorable Mention: Joe Ahlquist, Rochester Post Bulletin

In February 2024, Derek Pfaff received a face transplant at Mayo Clinic after his face was severely damaged by a gunshot wound in 2014. The surgery took more than 50 hours to complete and followed 58 reconstructive facial surgeries over 10 years that still left him unable to eat solid food or speak casually with friends and family. Pfaff is pictured Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, in Rochester.
Spot NewsBen Brewer, Independent
Second placeAshley Taylor-Gouge, Independent
Third place Ashley Taylor-Gouge, Independent
Honorable mentionAshley Taylor-Gouge, Independent

Spot News, First Place: Ben Brewer, Independent

High water levels at the Rapidan Dam on the Blue Earth River in Mankato, Minnesota, on Monday, June 24, 2024. A dam holding back swollen flood waters in Minnesota was at risk of failure Monday as intense weather buffeted much of the US.

Spot News, Second Place: Ashley Taylor-Gouge, Independent

As the dispersal order blares through the loudspeaker, students and community members lock arms, forming a protective barrier around the Gaza Solidarity Encampment at the University of Minnesota.

Spot News, Third Place: Ashley Taylor-Gouge, Independent

Early in the morning, a student is arrested at the Gaza Solidarity Encampment at the University of Minnesota.

Spot News, Honorable Mention: Ashley Taylor-Gouge, Independent

Inside Morrill Hall at the University of Minnesota, protestors with keffiyehs covering their faces block doors with bike locks and chairs as part of a campus protest.
Photo StorySaskia Hatvany, La Crosse Tribune
Second placeJackson Forderer, Independent
Third place Ben Brewer, Independent
Honorable mentionMaya Giron, Rochester Post Bulletin

Photo Story, First Place: Saskia Hatvany, La Crosse Tribune

Photo Story, Second Place: Jackson Forderer, Independent

Photo Story, Third Place: Ben Brewer, Independent

Photo Story, Honorable Mention: Maya Giron, Rochester Post Bulletin

Sports ActionMatt Gade, 605 Sports
Second placeSaskia Hatvany, La Crosse Tribune
Third place Matt Gade, 605 Sports
Honorable mentionDavid Samson, Fargo Forum
Honorable mentionBen Brewer, Independent
Honorable mentionAbbie Parr, AP
Honorable mentionAbbie Parr, AP
Honorable mentionMatt Gade, 605 Sports

Sports Action, First Place: Matt Gade, 605 Sports

Bullfighter Darwyn Thompson is kicked off his feet and into the air while trying to distract the bull from the rider while helping out during the final ShortGo of the South Dakota High School Rodeo Association’s final performance on June 15, 2024 at the Stanley County Fairgrounds in Ft. Pierre.

Sports Action, Second Place: Saskia Hatvany, La Crosse Tribune

Judges watch a ski jump at the Westby Snowflake Ski Club on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2023 in Westby, Wis.

Sports Action, Third Place: Matt Gade, 605 Sports

The sole right boot of Kaycee, Wyoming’s Ben Kukowski is the only thing to last the full eight seconds riding as Kukowski competes in the first section of the saddle bronc competition during the Interior Frontier Days on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024 in Interior.

Sports Action, Honorable Mention: David Samson, Fargo Forum

Fargo-Moorhead’s Evan Alexander collides with Sioux Falls’ Josh Rehwaldt at first base on Thursday, August 1, 2024, at Newman Outdoor Field. Alexander was knocked out on the play and will miss the rest of the RedHawks home stand.

Sports Action, Honorable Mention: Ben Brewer, Independent

Forward Alanna Smith #8 of the Minnesota Lynx reaches for a rebound at Target Center on August 23, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Sports Action, Honorable Mention: Abbie Parr, AP

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) catches a 4-yard touchdown pass ahead of Indianapolis Colts safety Julian Blackmon (32) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Minneapolis.

Sports Action, Honorable Mention: Matt Gade, 605 Sports

Dallen Kissack falls to the ground in unison with his sheep while mutton busting during the Newell Labor Day Rodeo on Monday, Sept. 2, 2024 in the rodeo arena in Newell.

Sports Action, Honorable Mention: Abbie Parr, AP

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) reaches for an incomplete pass ahead of Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. (2) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Minneapolis.
Sports FeatureMaya Giron, Rochester Post Bulletin
Second placeAbbie Parr, AP
Third place Maya Giron, Rochester Post Bulletin
Honorable mentionSteven Garcia, Independent
Honorable mentionAbbie Parr, AP
Honorable mentionAbbie Parr, AP
Honorable mentionMatt Gade, 605 Sports

Sports Feature, First Place: Maya Giron, Rochester Post Bulletin

Fillmore Central celebrates their 3-1 victory over Mabel-Canton during the Section 1, Class 1A girls volleyball championship match on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester.

Sports Feature, Second Place: Abbie Parr, AP

Michigan State guard Tre Holloman (5) and Purdue center Zach Edey, center, get into an altercation during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Big Ten Conference tournament, Friday, March 15, 2024, in Minneapolis.

Sports Feature, Third Place: Maya Giron, Rochester Post Bulletin

Cowboys watch Hunter Ball compete in the bull riding competition during the Wabasha County Fair on Friday, July 19, 2024, at Wabasha County Fairgrounds.

Sports Feature, Honorable Mention: Steven Garcia, Independent

Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark (22) celebrates after the championship game between Iowa and Nebraska at the 2024 TIAA Big10 Women’s Basketball Tournament at Target Center on March 10th, 2024. Iowa won 94-89.

Sports Feature, Honorable Mention: Abbie Parr, AP

Denver celebrates after winning the championship game against Boston College in the Frozen Four NCAA college hockey tournament Saturday, April 13, 2024, in St. Paul, Minn. Denver won 2-0 to win the national championship.

Sports Feature, Honorable Mention: Abbie Parr, AP

Brody Malone is introduced at the United States Gymnastics Olympic Trials on Thursday, June 27, 2024 in Minneapolis.

Sports Feature, Honorable Mention: Matt Gade, 605 Sports

The Rapid City Post 22 Bullets charge the mound in celebration of their 5-1 win over the Mitchell 16u team to win the state tournament on Sunday, Aug. 4 at Fitzgerald Stadium in Rapid City.

PROFESSIONAL CONTEST RULES

ELIGIBILITY

The contest is open to current professionals working in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin and Michigan. All work must be taken or published in 2024. Multi-year projects that concluded in 2024 are eligible for the photo story category as long as it includes images from 2024.

ENTRY FEE

AWARDS

First, second, and third place awards will be made along with any honorable mentions the judges feel are merited. The judges will not be required to give awards to three places in all categories. The winners will be announced at the Northern Exposure Conference hosted by the University of Minnesota Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

  • Judges
    • TBD
  • Prizes: Plaque for POY awards, certificates for individual category placements

ETHICS POLICY

Altering the content of documentary photographs through technology is prohibited. Image cropping, adjusting levels and basic toning is acceptable. It is fine to dodge and/or burn areas and to correct technical defects in a photo (such as minor dust spots) as long as the work’s content is not changed. No use of AI to alter images is allowed. No removal of objects in the images as it was recorded is allowed. When in doubt, don’t. If it is determined by the Northern Exposure contest organizers that a photo has violated these standards, the photograph will be disqualified. Documentary works that are proven to be “set up” or “staged” will also be disqualified. Judges may request the original, unedited file if concerns arise.

PROFESSIONAL CONTEST CATEGORIES

  • (SPN) Spot News – A picture of an unscheduled event for which no advanced planning was possible. Examples of this include but are not limited to: natural or manmade disasters, protests, accidents, etc.
  • (GEN) General News – A picture of a scheduled event for which advance planning was possible. Examples of this include but are not limited to: the cleanup/aftermath of a natural or manmade disaster, press conferences, ground breakings, etc.
  • (FEA) Feature – A picture of a found situation with a strong-human interest and provides a fresh view of the commonplace.
  • (SPF) Sports Feature – Any feature photo from a sporting event that is outside the field of play or is separate from the game action.
  • (SPA) Sports Action – A picture that captures peak action and the spirit of competition.
  • (POR) Portrait – A picture that reveals the essence of the subject’s character. Can be either a found moment or a setup image. (Individual images only – no diptics, collages, etc.)
  • (PST) Photo Story – A series of images that tells a story on a single topic or subject. A minimum of three images is required and there can be no more than 15 images per story. The caption field in first picture in the story should include a short title and a brief introductory caption to summarize the entire picture story. Individual captions for each photo are required.

‘OF THE YEAR’ AWARDS

  • (POY) Photographer of the Year – Entries must include a variety of single images and a minimum of one photo story (maximum of 3). A title slide must separate the story from the singles. No more than 50% of the portfolio may consist of images made outside of the contest region.
    • Maximum of 40 images including picture story. (title slide doesn’t count to 30 picture limit)
    • Entries must include work submitted in at least four of the individual categories.
  • (SPY) Sports Photographer of the Year – Entries must include a variety of at least 3 different sports represented. A picture story is encouraged, but is not a requirement. If a story is included, must include a title slide. No more than 50% of the portfolio may consist of images made outside of the contest region.
    • Minimum of 12 single images required with a maximum of 30 images total including story (title slide doesn’t count to the 30 picture limit) .

HOW TO ENTER THE PRO CONTEST

1. NAME THE FILES CORRECTLY

CategoryCode_PersonalCode_Slug_PhotoNumber.jpg
  • CategoryCode = Three letter code for each category
  • PersonalCode = First four letters of your last name + first initial + middle initial
  • Slug (only applicable for stories) = One word description of any photo stories
  • PhotoNumber = Entry number (01, 02, etc.) You do not need to enter multiples in each category. For photo stories, be sure to number them in the order that best suits the story.
EXAMPLES
  • Single: fea_ewenmj_01.jpg or spa_ewenmj_03.jpg
  • Story: pst_ewenmj_election_02.jpg or pst_ewenmj_homespun_01.jpg
  • of the Year: poy_ewenmj_05.jpg

2. FILE INFO REQUIRED

The following information that must be included in the metadata for still images. Images without metadata will be disqualified:

  • Author/Photographer: Your full name.
  • Caption/Description*: Enter the caption here. This is mandatory for every picture, including individual pictures in a picture story. Captions may be projected onto the screen during judging. DO NOT add your name in the caption field. Any entry that includes your name or organization in this field will be disqualified.
  • Date: Date photograph was taken.
  • City: Location image was taken.
  • State: Location image was taken.
  • Credit: Organization affiliation, or Freelance, if none.
  • Headline: Name of entry. This will be what is used when winning images are posted.

*For picture stories, must include a title slide with a brief introductory caption summarizing the entire picture story. This overall caption should be included in the metadata of the title slide before the first individual picture. The remaining pictures in the picture story should only include the caption for that photo.

3. NUMBER OF ENTRIES

  • A total of 15 entries allowed. “Of the year” categories count as one entry each.
  • There is a limit of five photos or stories for each non “of the year” category.
  • There is a limit of one entry for each “of the year” category.

4. FILE SIZE

RGB or grayscale JPG files only. Final images should be resized to 3000 pixels on the longest side.

5. UPLOAD ENTRIES

Upload correctly named and sized files to the website URL you will receive in your registration email confirmation.

ENTRIES SUBJECT TO DISQUALIFICATION

  • Missing the deadline
  • File names not properly slugged / formatted
  • Name / organization/ appears in caption field
  • Violating the contest’s ethics policy

THE 2024 CONTEST DEADLINE IS 11:59 PM (CST) ON MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2025.

The contest deadline will not be extended.

Register to enter the contest here

QUESTIONS?

Email Matt Gade: Matt.Gade@605Sports.com

Thanks to these folks for supporting the conference and contest