PLATTE COUNTY – Moments are captured by a single click. Memories are preserved for all time as the images are recorded and, in some cases, awarded for how they stop people in the busy tracks of their lives.

Pictures they say paint a thousand words, and in some cases, like perhaps a Norman Rockwell painting, over a million words, thoughts, intents and stories.

The Laramie Peak Cattlewomen are holding their annual amateur Photo Contest and are looking for submissions in eight categories that have to do with farm or ranch life in Platte County. The contest is open to Platte County residents and there is no age restriction.

You can submit your photos in color or black and white and all pictures must be mounted on poster board, cardstock or appropriate paper leaving a 1” border around the picture which must be submitted as an 8 x 10.

A photographer may enter each category with only one entry per category and must be accompanied by an entry letter on the back which would include the name, address and phone number.  The entries must be dropped off at First State Bank by noon, on or before the July 17 deadline with no exceptions.

“It started in 2000,” Mary Irivine said. “Donita Graves had been to the midterm convention and one of the counties had done a picture contest, and she thought that sounded like fun. She called me and I said, ‘that does sound like fun.’”

The cattlewomen then got together and everyone was on board. 

“The very first year we did it,” Irvine said, “we went around to every town and put posters up about the contest. The first year we had 11 participants and 34 pictures and we broke it down into categories. In 2009 we had the most ever entered with 51 people participating and 119 pictures entered.”

That first year the group had five categories that people could enter, but since then have added three more categories.

This year the categories are 

• All in a day’s work with pictures on haying, planting, cattle raising or a work-related picture.

• Let the good times roll which can include rodeo, weddings, dances, club activities or leisure activities.

• The faces of Platte County which are photos of people.

• Platte County is beautiful too which features pictures on the unique scenery.

• All domestic creatures great and small which will feature domestic animals

• All wild creatures great and small which will feature wildlife

• Fair times which will feature anything having to do with the fair

• Series of three pictures of a story or scenes that will tell a story in the progression of three photos

All pictures this year will remain on display for the public at First State Bank in Wheatland. In years past, the pictures were displayed at the fair, but with the construction going on in the grand hall this year, the available space was limited.

There will be one award given in each category, and the winners will each win a $20 beef certificate.

“Some of these people that have taken pictures have gone on to become professionals,” said Sharon who won for a branding picture she submitted the very first year of the contest. “So, they don’t qualify to enter again because this contest is just amateurs.” 

If you have any questions concerning the contest, please call Mary Irvine at (307) 322 – 2589.