photo contest

While shooting a beautiful December sunset, hobby photographer Lucy McNellis captured this image of ice fishermen on Perch Lake, who added “an element of life and activity to the winter landscape,” she says. As for her inspiration, McNellis says, “The light, sky and scene itself. It was right around the winter solstice when the days are remarkably short.” 

Photographer: Lucy McNellis
Title: Ice Fishing on Perch Lake, St. Croix County
Equipment: Nikon D3300
Location: Perch Lake Read more about Lens on St. Croix Valley: Ice Fishing on Perch Lake

Lens on St. Croix Valley: St. Croix Sundog. Rare atmospheric phenomenon captured in Stillwater. Read more about Lens on St. Croix Valley: St. Croix Sundog

Lens on St. Croix Valley: Osceola Bridge. Photographer captures the beauty of the St. Croix Valley. Read more about Lens on St. Croix Valley: Osceola Bridge

Lens on St. Croix Valley 2022 Photo Contest Winners. We're looking at the valley through your lens. Read more about Lens on St. Croix Valley 2022 Photo Contest Winners

Readers' Choice Voting Open for Lens on St. Croix Valley 2022. It's time to vote for your favorites in the Lens on St. Croix Valley 2022 photo contest. Read more about Readers' Choice Voting Open for Lens on St. Croix Valley 2022

Lens on St. Croix Valley 2022 Photo Contest. Read more about 2022 Lens on St. Croix Valley Photo Contest

Sarah Lilja took this photo on the St. Croix River near Franconia, where the rock formations are called the Franconia Dalles. Lilja says she was inspired by “the blue kayaks [which] so perfectly mirror the blue sky,” noting, “They make a great focal point against the red rocks of the dalles.” Lilja’s favorite part of the image are the vibrant colors. The St. Croix River Valley is one of her favorite spots, and she frequents it to take as many photos as she can.

Photographer: Sarah Lilja Read more about Springtime Kayaking

Lens on St. Croix Valley: Calm Morning in Stillwater. Read more about Lens on St. Croix Valley: Calm Morning in Stillwater

It's that time of year again: The Lens on St. Croix Valley photo contest has returned for its 3rd year of beautiful photos of our community. This photo contest, presented by St. Croix Valley Magazine, showcases the best photographers in our community—not to mention the subjects that give them inspiration.

We're looking for photos that show off the core values of St. Croix Valley in five categories: Read more about Lens on St. Croix Valley 2017 Photo Contest

Thank you to everyone who submitted photographs and voted during our first St. Croix Valley Magazine photo contest. After much consideration, the following photos were chosen:

“The Firing Line” by Thomas Wieland (1st place)

“Love My Chicken” by Sandy Brecht (2nd place)

“The Old & New” by Thomas Wieland (3rd place)

We look forward to featuring the photographs in St. Croix Valley Magazine during 2016. Congratulations! Read more about Photo Finish