Georgia resident Ken Edmier named champion of Alaska Railroad's Catch the Train Photo Contest.
In the heart of 2025, the Alaska Railroad will unveil its calendar, a visual masterpiece that captures the essence of the Last Frontier's breathtaking landscapes. The calendar, a product of the annual "Catch the Train" photo contest, features twelve winning photographs from talented photographers across the country.
The finalists in this year's calendar, aside from Ken Edmier, include Rebecca Richardson, Tamara Shumate, Jon Nafzger, Dylan Robert (who has three photographs in the calendar), Gabriel Falk, Pete Konefke (with two photographs), Bruce Carswell, and Miklos Szabo.
Ken Edmier of Leesburg, Georgia, won the 2023 "Catch the Train" photo contest, organised by Amtrak. His winning photograph, capturing the Aurora Winter Train passing through a snowy landscape near Cantwell, will grace the cover of the 2025 calendar.
The selection process for the winning photographs was rigorous, with judges assessing submissions based on criteria such as artistic excellence, uniqueness, subject relevance, and composition. The other photographs from the finalists will be showcased as individual months in the calendar.
Edmier, as the grand prize winner, receives $1,500 in cash and four round-trip tickets on the Denali Star train to Denali. His winning photographs, along with those of the other finalists, will also be highlighted in the Alaska Railroad's onboard magazine, Panoramas.
The 2025 calendar will not be limited to online sales; calendars featuring the winning photographs will also be available for purchase in-person at Alaska Railroad Depot gift shops. The 2025 Catch the Train photo contest received hundreds of photo submissions, a testament to the passion and talent of photographers across the nation.
This year's contest included nine photographers from six states: Alabama, Alaska, California, Georgia, Michigan, and Texas. The Alaska Railroad's marketing communications manager, Robin Moore, stated that it was difficult to pick the twelve best photos, given the high quality of submissions.
The Alaska Railroad's 2025 calendar promises to be a visual treat, offering a glimpse into the beauty of the Last Frontier throughout the year. The calendar, with its stunning photographs, is more than just a timekeeper; it's a celebration of the unique charm of Alaska and a testament to the creativity of its photographers.
