Picture this: ExploreSask photo contest reveals winners

North Battleford’s Gilbert Katerynych is Saskatchewan’s top shutterbug for 2023.

Katerynych’s shot of a moose wandering across a river won the grand prize in Tourism Saskatchewan’s 2023 ExploreSask photo contest. The organization said the competition, which started in June, received more than 4,200 entries by the Sept. 15 deadline.

A panel of judges picked the winning entries in six categories: People & Places; Prairie; Wildlife; Winter; Woods & Water; and Video. The grand prize winner was selected from the five photography category winners.

“The images feature extraordinary landscapes, winter scenery, diverse experiences, magnificent wildlife, and the unique character of Saskatchewan people,” Tourism Saskatchewan said in a media release.

The winner in each photo category received a $500 Visa gift card, with the grand prize winner getting another $500 Visa gift card. The winner of the video category got a $1,000 Visa gift card.

The award winners and photos that received honourable mentions can be viewed here.

Grand Prize

Winner: Gilbert Katerynych, North Battleford.

People & Places

Winner: Michael St. Laurent, Moose Jaw.

Honourable Mention: Gokul Krishnan, Saskatoon; Zack Martyn, Arcola; Cathleen Mewis, Saskatoon; St. Laurent; Ciera Wolitski, Foam Lake.

Prairie

Winner: Katerynych.

Honourable Mention: Bob Ferguson, Saskatoon; Herry Himanshu, Regina (two images); Anthony Lomond, Regina.

Wildlife

Winner: Himanshu.

Honourable Mention: Akash Christian, Regina; Chad Letain, Regina (two images); Pat Martin, Saskatoon; St. Laurent.

Winter

Winner: Danielle Bergen, Drake.

Honourable Mention: Nicole Adair, Carlyle; Milena Esser, Saskatoon; Himanshu; Evan Olson, Regina; Brenda Peters, Saskatoon.

Woods & Water

Winner: Aaron Thomson, Saskatoon.

Honourable Mention: Andrew Court, Regina; Casey Marshall, Lumsden; Thomas Pan, Calgary, AB; Jeff Wizniak, Saskatoon.

Video

Winner: Gabe Dipple, Regina.

Honourable Mention: Himanshu; Ryley Konechny, Saskatoon; Ray Lagimodiere, Regina; Lee Miller, Regina; Lheo Roden Untal, Weyburn.

This photo by Saskatoon’s Aaron Thomson was the winner in the Woods & Water category in Tourism Saskatchewan’s 2023 ExploreSask photo contest. (Tourism Saskatchewan/Submitted)