Mandan Photo Contest Winners Announced
Oct. 16, 2023 — Judges have rated and ranked images in Mandan’s third annual photo contest. Photographers of all ages and experience levels were invited to submit photos of features that attract residents, businesses and visitors to the community and Morton County.
Judges with expertise in photography and marketing reviewed finalist photos across five categories. Winners are:
- Achievement: BNSF Railroad Bridge, Susan Beehler, Mandan
- Community: A Sacred & Honorable Place, Paulette Bullinger, Bismarck
- Fun: Best Friends, Kim Dahl, Mandan
- Opportunity: Midnight Train to Mandan, Mike Mundahl, Mandan
- County: Beyond Daily Reflection, Chad Satnan, Mandan
The people’s choice award winner as determined by the public through online voting is Midnight Train to Mandan by Mike Mundahl receiving 132 of 567 votes cast. View winning entries at cityofmandan.com/photocontest.
Each category winner receives $100 in Mandan Bucks gift certificates. Sponsors are Beyond the Blooms, Vision Source of Mandan, Station West Bar & Grill, NAPA Auto Parts, Hyundai of Mandan and Copper Dog Café. The People’s Choice winner also receives a $50 gift card from North Dakota Living Magazine. LPT Images sponsored the youth category, however there were no youth entries submitted this year. Sponsors will receive a print of winning photos in the categories sponsored.
The contest drew 55 entries from 24 talented photographers. Other finalists were: Kayla Weiss, Lonna Quast, Angela Gittel, Paula Satnan, Eileen Heihn, Angela Gittel, Amy Zachmeier, Crista McCandless, Kristi Schoellkopf, LeDeidre Garcia-Wright, and Chris Redmann. .
Images were evaluated on applicability to community marketing, originality, subject matter interest, visual appeal, and consistency with category themes. Judges were Mike Kennedy, North Dakota Office of the Governor; Layn Mudder, LPT Images; John Kary, North Dakota Living Magazine; John Gieser, Mandan Public Schools; and Megan Boger, North Dakota Parks & Recreation.
Winning photos will be displayed at Mandan City Hall in the Ed “Bosh” Froehlich meeting room, come December. Photo entries will also be featured in the 2024 Mandan and Morton County community calendar and other publicity materials.
The contest is a joint activity of the LPI Committee, City of Mandan Business Development and Communications Department and Mandan Progress Organization.