Lilian Donahue's award winning photo of Reed Lake. (Tourism Sask.)

By Nigel Maxwell

Photography

2025 ExploreSask Photo Contest winners announced

Nov 18, 2025 | 12:59 PM

Lilian Donahue says she was both surprised and pleased to learn a photo she took of a flock of birds, seemingly walking on air, was good enough to be recognized for an award.

The Prince Albert woman’s entry into Tourism Saskatchewan’s 2025 ExploreSask Photo Contest earned her a $500 VISA card reward in the Wildlife category.

“I basically forgot about it because most of the time these things don’t turn out. So when I got the email, I was like ‘What, you’ve got to be kidding me, you’ve got the wrong person.'”

Donahue explained how earlier this year, she took a trip to the Grasslands, and along the Trans Canada Highway, there is a series of lakes known for attracting birds.

“I was just struck by it, plus the light conditions were very interesting. The bit of mist in the background are clouds, so you couldn’t really tell what was sky and what was water,” she said.

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The competition, launched in July, received 3,785 entries by the September 30 deadline. The winning photos and honourable mentions, selected by a panel of external judges, captured the province’s natural beauty and dynamic spirit.

Gilbert Katerynych’s storm picture won in the Prairie category. The photo was taken in Prongua, June 19, at 4 p.m.

“This was my best daytime lighting shot I’ve collected so far. I’ve spent many hours photographing storms. It’s such a waiting game watching all the lightning strikes not landing when/where you want them to. But it’s such a feeling of satisfaction when the lightning strikes right where you want it,” he said.

Katerynych’s storm picture. (Tourism Saskatchewan)

To photograph a storm safely, Katerynych explained how he used his 4 Runners rear retractable window. He positioned the vehicle so the rear end was facing the elevator.

“Then I set up my tripod in the back of the vehicle and pointed my camera at the elevator. I programmed my camera to take two-second photos with a half-second between frames. And since it was daylight, I used an ND filter over the lens to allow for the longer shutter speed. This photo captured the last bolt of lightning in the frame before the storm moved off.”

Each category winner receives a $500 VISA gift card. The Grand Prize winner, selected from the five photography category winners, receives an additional $500 Visa gift card. The video category is not eligible for the Grand Prize, but the category winner will receive a $1,000 VISA gift card. 

Category Winners:

​Wildlife

Winner – Lilian Donahue, Prince Albert.

Honourable Mention: John Criton, Regina; Jay Frandsen, Christopher Lake; Jolanta Kedra, Saskatoon; Josiah Olson, Kinistino (two photos).
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People and Places
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Winner – Lindsey MacLeod, Regina. (Also the winner of the ultimate grand prize)

Honourable Mention: Rob Arthur, Saskatoon; Kashtin Delorme, Regina; Cameron MacNeal, Watson; Cathleen Mewis, Saskatoon; Michael St Laurent, Moose Jaw.
​

Prairie

Winner – Gilbert Katerynych, North Battleford.

Honourable Mention: Mark Duffy, Moose Jaw (two photos); Gilbert Katerynych, North Battleford (two photos); Joel Waghela, Regina

Winter

Winner- Craig Boehm, Regina.

Honourable Mention: Indrasish Banerjee, Saskatchewan; Adam Matheson, Saskatoon; Lee Miller, Regina; Emma Ogle, Wood Mountain; Marg Petty, Saskatoon.
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Woods and Water

Winner – Brodie Sollid, Saskatoon.

Honourable Mention: John Hobson, Saskatoon; Jessica MacAuley, Saskatchewan; Cynthia Salgado, Saskatoon; Cole Tomlinson, Prince Albert; Ryan Weber, Warman.

Video

Winner – Shannon Chu, Saskatoon.

Honourable Mention: Cody Breton, Swift Current; Tim Davidson, Calgary; Robert McWatt, Saskatoon; Brendan Olenick, Regina; Becky Wiens, Herschel.

Visit Tourism Saskatchewan to view the award-winning photographs and video.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell