After more than 740 contest entries were received, winners have been selected in the 2026 Governor’s Photo Contest. The winners were announced on Monday, Oct. 19, in Jamestown by Gov. Kelly Armstrong.
The contest has been held almost every year since 2004, when it was created under the leadership of then-Gov. John Hoeven and North Dakota Tourism. The purpose of the contest is twofold: to highlight the talent of amateur photographers around the state while capturing the beauty of our state, people, seasons and culture.
“As someone who spends as much time outdoors as I can, I’m always proud to see the Governor’s Photo Contest showcase the places and experiences that make North Dakota special,” Armstrong said in a statement. “This year’s winners show the beauty and adventure that define our state.”
Closer to Grand Forks, an honorable mention went to Megan Boger for a photo titled “Simple Summer Joy,” taken at Icelandic State Park.
According to Kim Schmidt, the department’s communications manager, the main purpose of the contest is “to show North Dakota’s appeal as a travel destination,” she told the Grand Forks Herald.
Every year, the department has specified categories. This year’s categories included Events, Must-see Places, Outdoors, Skies, Wildlife and the vertical video “Call it Home” categories.
This year was the first time video was implemented.
“This new video category is an opportunity to showcase the beauty, friendliness, openness, excitement and wonder that is North Dakota,” Schmidt said.
The governor’s choice went to a photo titled “September morning youth hunt in Western North Dakota,” taken by William Boyeff near Watford City. All of the prints will be on display at the Governor’s Office through the month of November.
Descriptions of all the winners and honorable mentions, along with the complete gallery, are available on the
site.
Schmidt said North Dakota Tourism, the Office of the Governor, North Dakota Council on the Arts and AAA, the latter a continued partner of the event, will meet to discuss the next iteration of the contest. Once the new rules are agreed upon, the announcement for the next submission period will be decided.
“Typically, the contest happens yearly,” she said.
2026 Governor’s Photo Contest Winners
Events
Winner: “Let’s Fly Kites” – Warren Abrahamson, Jamestown
Honorable mention: “Battle Has Been Won” — Winnie Weninger, Medora
Must-see places
Winner: “Northern Lights Over the Skyscraper on the Prairie” – Hannah Cobert, Bismarck
Honorable mention: “Sweetheart of the Badlands” – Amanda McClean, Medora
Outdoors
Winner: “September morning youth hunt in Western North Dakota” – William Boyeff, near Watford City
Honorable mention: “Simple Summer Joy” – Megan Boger, Icelandic State Park
Skies
Winner: “Flight at Sunset” – Meredith Jo Ehli, Bismarck
Honorable mention: “Black & White in Colors” – Rebecca Raber, New Salem
Wildlife
Winner: “Hitchin’ a Ride” – Cindy Nagle, Lake Ashtabula
Honorable mention: “Hungry Eyes” – Maggie Taylor, Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit
Honorable mention: “Buzza Buzza” – Rebecca Raber, Bismarck
Honorable mention: “Whitetail Deer” – Karli Laber, White Horse Hill National Game Preserve
Call it home
Winner: “Call it Home” – Winnie Weninger, Medora
Governor’s choice
Winner: “September morning youth hunt in Western North Dakota” – William Boyeff near Watford City
Andrew Weeks is an award-winning journalist who has reported for newspapers and magazines. Prior to joining the Grand Forks Herald as its outdoors editor, Weeks was editor for several years of Prairie Business, a publication of the Grand Forks Herald and Forum Communications Co. Before that role, he was outdoors editor for a daily newspaper in Idaho.