The Minnetonka Annual Photo Contest has officially wrapped up, and winners across various categories have captured the essence of the city with their stunning visual narratives. In the “Landscape” category, Bill O'Byrne took top honors with the “Minnehaha Creek,” a picturesque portrayal of the local waterway in autumnal glory. Snapping up second place, Brian Goettelman's “Spring Snow on the Creek” brought a serene sunset scene to the forefront, closely followed by Chris Murphy’s “Fiery skies over Wing Lake after the storm” landing in third.
In a testament to the diversity of wildlife in the area, Marlene Smith clinches the “Animals” category with a delightful snapshot entitled “Everybody out of the pool!” – showcasing the everyday drama of avian life. Browdie Daul rolls into second with a glimpse of a "Raccoon family waking up for their day after sundown," while third place was snagged by Lucas Brama's "Spot the Frog," a masterclass in the art of camouflage.
Turning the lens to human experiences, Amy Mischio's “Dark rainy night” outshined in the “Lifestyle” category, with its moody and evocative streetscape. Maria Miller secured the second spot with “Play on dock at dusk," capturing a candid childhood moment, and Linda Harl came in third with a poignant frame of generational bonding titled “Grandpa and Lily.”
The “Uniquely Minnetonka” category showcased Ricardo Bonner's “Fire Sky over Libbs” as its winner, another stunning tribute to the city's evening atmosphere. Heidi Bothun rightly earned second place with “Lakeside beauty," adding a serene portrait of the lake's natural surrounding to the mix, and Levi Black’s “City Sidewalks” clinched third, shining a spotlight on the vibrancy of Ridgedale Commons during winter nights.
An outpouring of appreciation was expressed to all photographers who entered the 2024 iteration. In a heartfelt acknowledgment, the official Minnetonka website stated: “A big thank you goes out to all our photographers who submitted a photo to this year's contest. We love the passion of our community!” To view the impressive range of submissions, enthusiasts and locals alike were invited to visit the photo contest’s album on Facebook.
