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See the winners of the 2026 Focus on Nevada Photo Contest

Coyote sitting in trash.
Julie Jay
/
2026 Focus on Nevada Photo Contest

2026

Focus On Nevada Photo Contest

One thing that’s become apparent not only in the results of our annual Focus on Nevada photo contest, but even in the act of judging each year’s tranche of entries, is that all of our culture’s energetic photo taking and sharing has actually imbued many of you with a sharp eye. With a knack for stylish composition. With strong ideas about what a good image looks like. So, arriving at the winning selections on these pages was a real (and fun!) challenge. There were so many deserving entries from photographers up and down the experience scale. Congrats to the winners. As for the rest of us, let’s keep clicking!

Sponsored By

Nikon B&C Camera Springs Cafe Summerlin Nevada State Museum
Grand Prize Winner - Finding the Light

Grand Prize

Jarrod Ames

Showgirl illuminated by flashlight backstage at The Usual Place

Black & White


Escaramuza team practicing in Pahrump

1st Place

Jose Gomez

Escaramuza team practicing in Pahrump

Artistic & Abstract


Kids interacting at Anthony McCall’s Swell exhibit, 
         Nevada Museum of Art

1st Place

Linsie Lafayette

Kids interacting at Anthony McCall’s Swell exhibit, Nevada Museum of Art

Plants & Animals


Dragonfly perched on a stick, Little Washoe Lake, Washoe Valley.

1st Place

MaryLou Schindler

Dragonfly perched on a stick, Little Washoe Lake, Washoe Valley.

Landscapes


Lightning storm over the Las Vegas Valley, aerial drone shot.

1st Place

Chris Colacurci

Lightning storm over the Las Vegas Valley, aerial drone shot.

Town & Country


Rainy Pahrump road stretching into the distance at sunset.

1st Place

Abigail Humphrey

Rainy Pahrump road stretching into the distance at sunset.

Storyteller


Young coyote sleeping in trash at the Wetlands Park

1st Place

Julie Jay

Young coyote sleeping in trash at the Wetlands Park

Judges


Chase R. McCurday

Fine Artist and Director, 33.G

Dan McElhattan III

Professor & Program Director Graphic Communications College of Southern Nevada, President & Founder of AIGA Las Vegas

Angela Ortaliza

AO Creatives Las Vegas, Photography Educator at University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Michael Plyler

Fine Art Photographer

Ron Phelps

B&C Camera Representative

Laura L. Sanders

Executive Director, Rita Deanin Abbey Art Museum

Heidi Kyser

Editor, Desert Companion

Scott Lien

Art Director, Desert Companion

Anne Davis

Assistant Editor, Desert Companion

Scott Dickensheets

Editor-at-Large, Desert Companion