2023 DSHS Photo Contest Winners

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SECRETARY'S CHOICE
Prusik Peak, Enchantments, Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area: "Prusik Peak is a very coveted rock climbing formation in our local Leavenworth area."
Photographer: John Plotz

DSHS Secretary, Jilma Meneses' words: “ALL the photos are beautiful! I loved every single one! But I choose #200, Prusik Peak Enchantment at Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area. The natural beauty is outstanding. The geology, the water, and the clouds are gorgeous. It represents Washington in a peaceful yet exotic way.”

PHOTOGRAPHERS CHOICE
Sailboat Sunrise
Photographer: Judi Stewart

TECHNICAL - 1st Place 
Butterfly Kisses​: "I met a fluttery friend outside and had to capture the moment."
Photographer: Dee Hayman

TECHNICAL - 2nd Place (tie)
Crow Feather:"The crow is known for its adaptability and resourcefulness, making it a symbol of resilience and determination. The feathers can inspire us to be adaptable and resourceful in the face of challenges and to find creative solutions to life’s difficulties. This fits into my daily work life as a case manager by working and supporting my clients to transform their lives."
Photographer: Alan Sapalaran​

TECHNICAL - 2nd Place (tie)
Reflections: "During the COVID years I tried to pick up a few hobbies. One was getting a dog and the other was learning how to take pictures on my cell phone. This picture was my dog laying on my lap with his head on a glass end table. I shot this from my cell phone in Studio Mode with high contrast and was shocked with the results."
Photographer: Staci Dilg

TECHNICAL - 3rd Place
Morning Dew
Photographer: Raquel Gomez Ramirez​

TECHNICAL - Honorable Mention (tie)
Looking for Dinner: "Taken on a hike to Freemont Lookout at Mt. Rainier, Sunrise area."
Photographer: Steve McDannel

TECHNICAL - Honorable Mention (tie)
Hungry Hummingbird: "Immediately after refilling the feeder, my hummingbird friend stopped by for a visit and a meal."
Photographer: Alan Sapalaran

TECHNICAL - Honorable Mention (tie)
How Do You Dew?​: "I used to constantly find tree frogs while gardening and mowing my lawn, which was always exciting. Dahlias are my favorite flower, and I hoped that I'd eventually find a frog resting between the petals because I had seen photos of such online. One day I was walking through the Bellevue Botanical Garden and paying special attention to the dahlias. Something caught my eye, and even before I looked closer, I wondered if this was finally the moment I'd been waiting for. Then...sure enough! I bent over and noticed that the dark speck I'd seen was actually a sweet, little frog. I literally squealed with delight and took this photograph. This magical moment didn't occur in my own yard as I'd hoped, but the experience still brings me so much joy."
Photographer: Holly Glasgow

TECHNICAL - Honorable Mention (tie)
Formula Drift Monroe: "My photography business allowed me to be a part of this national drift event media team, where I was track side taking photos of drift cars."
Photographer: AJ Barker

TECHNICAL - Honorable Mention (tie)
Long Exposure River: "This is a photo I took of a river in the Granite Falls area."
Photographer: AJ Barker

ARTISTIC - 1st Place (tie)
White Pass Steel Bridge: "During a recent cruise to Alaska, I hopped aboard a White Pass scenic railway excursion in Skagway and captured this abandoned historic steel bridge surrounded by forest and mountains."
Photographer: Alan Sapalaran

ARTISTIC - 1st Place (tie)
Reflections of Peace: "This picture of Mt Rainier was taken with my cell phone at Reflection Lake.  As a DSHS employee I work hard to help my clients through very difficult and challenging times. I feel this photo reflects the peace I hope I can bring into their lives."
Photographer: Cathleen Hansen

ARTISTIC - 2nd Place (tie)
Skylight Cave: "Skylights cave located just outside Bend, Oregon. At the right time of day during the summer (about 10am) the sun shines thru the natural opening in the roof."  
Photographer: Mark O'Donnell​

ARTISTIC - 2nd Place (tie)
Lustrous Larches of Washington​: "With the changing of the seasons, we transform and must adapt to the weather and what our climates bring. In Washington State, the Evergreen State, the fall color palette can be muted in brown and green, often overcast and gray, on the West side of the Cascade Range. Up in the mountains however, you can catch glimpses of brilliant color hues of red, orange, and yellow. Just like us, the larch, a deciduous pine tree goes through change, shedding the beautiful and delicate golden needles when the freezing temperatures arrive. Hiking to see these trees can be a challenge as they exist only in pockets throughout the forest. This was the first time I was able to see them up close and touch the soft conifer. They are a unique site to see and when shared with close friends, makes for a special experience. For all of us at DSHS and the people we serve, we enter into the season of change to prepare for winter and take to rest and recharge so that we may again fully serve our communities."  
Photographer: Benjamin Lee

ARTISTIC - 3rd Place 
Sunrise in Ocean Shores:"This is the view of the golf course from our home in Ocean Shores. This particular morning, I had to grab my cell phone to capture what I saw. This is a good example of why work/home life balance is important. This view helps to keep me calm and happy while helping our clients."
Photographer: Ronda Wolfskill

ARTISTIC - Honorable Mention
Smash: "The partnership of raising a child. Both his mother and myself outside playing in the snow with him and having a snowball fight. See the expressions on their faces individually and see where they are in life. He, a child is having fun pure and simply. His expression shows the joy of family. Her, the expected experience of being targeted by a snowball from her child, but having fun that he is having fun. Me...behind the camera as most dads are :P"
Photographer: Todd D. Reed

DSHS IN ACTION - 1st Place
Fall Outside OB2: "Photo was taken during a fire alarm evacuation while I was working at OB2." 
Photographer: Debbie Macy

DSHS IN ACTION - 2nd Place (tie)
Monday Morning: "This view is from the dock on McNeil Island, after arriving from Steilacoom on the morning boat. I'm on the discharge team, and this is the best place I've ever worked."
Photographer: Judy Louderback

 

DSHS IN ACTION - 2nd Place (tie)
Medical Lake Strong: "Photo was taken in an area of Medical Lake that was destroyed by the Gray Fire in August."
Photographer: Gerald (Jerry) Goertz

DSHS IN ACTION - 3rd Place
Behind the Scenes
Photographer: Felicia Quintana

DSHS IN ACTION - Honorable Mention
Office Space: "DCS, Tacoma office , One of the Support enforcement officers keeps himself inspired by his artwork." 
Photographer: Josephine Nakimuli

DSHS EMPLOYEES & FAMILY - 1st Place
Rock Climbing the Hitchhiker, Washington Pass, WA​
Photographer: John Plotz

DSHS EMPLOYEES & FAMILY - 2nd Place (tie)
Flower Crown Princess: "During a coworker’s maternity photo shoot, her daughter took an interest in wanting to put on the flower crown worn by her mother."
Photographer: Alan Sapalaran

DSHS EMPLOYEES & FAMILY - 2nd Place (tie)
Best Hammock Spot in the World: "Glacier lake in the Eagle cap wilderness. Taken in August on a 4-day backpacking trip. Temperatures ranging 112-116 each day i found refuge at what I now call one of my favorite lakes."
Photographer: Mark O'Donnell

DSHS EMPLOYEES & FAMILY - 2nd Place (tie)
The Enchanted Valley​: "Location 14 miles into the Olympic national park is a beautiful valley littered with hundreds of waterfalls. I camped on the river edge waking up at dusk to snap this photo."
Photographer: Mark O'Donnell

DSHS EMPLOYEES & FAMILY - 2nd Place (tie)
Top of El Capitan, Yosemite Valley CA: "El Capitan is a coveted rock-climbing formation.  This photo is at the top of The Nose route, which offers 3,000 feet of challenging and esthetic rock climbing."
Photographer: John Plotz

DSHS EMPLOYEES & FAMILY - 2nd Place (tie)
Fireworks with Dad
Photographer: Rena Marie Perez

DSHS EMPLOYEES & FAMILY - 3rd Place
Photobomb of the Year: "New years eve 2022, my brother and I tackled Mount Storm King in Olympic National Park. Canada Jays were flying around searching for food and one landed on my camera trying to photo bomb our shot."
Photographer: Mark O'Donnell

DSHS EMPLOYEES & FAMILY - Honorable Mention (tie)
Lollipop!: "During a coworker’s family portrait shoot, this lollipop given by his mom immediately brought her son immense sheer and utter delight!"
Photographer: Alan Sapalaran 

DSHS EMPLOYEES & FAMILY - Honorable Mention (tie)
Kayak Exploration
Photographer: Rena Perez

DSHS VALUES - 1st Place
Summerfest Fun: ”Water Tower at Rainier School Summerfest 2023. An ATS3 gets wet!”
Photographer: Marjoree Udulutch

DSHS VALUES - 2nd Place
Give: "Every year when our region celebrates Pride Month in June, I give to the LGBTQ+ Combined Fund Drive recipient chosen for that year. It is always important to give back to all communities in need." 
Photographer: Alan Sapalaran

DSHS VALUES - 3rd Place
Unloading Papers: "Rainer School clients unload rolls of newspapers at Pike Place Market. Rainier clients have been generating newspaper rolls used by Pike Place Fish Market for a quarter century. They use the newspapers to wrap their seafood offerings."
Photographer: Mark Kester

DSHS VALUES - Honorable Mention (tie)
Red Barn: "A big red barn from an Ellensburg Farm."​
Photographer: Cynthia Johnson

DSHS VALUES - Honorable Mention (tie)
Fall in Cle Elum: "This was taken in the fall. I love when the leaves turn color and add depth to my photos. I take my camera everywhere I go and just take photos when I see something I like and find beauty in."
Photographer: Cynthia Johnson

 

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Contact us with questions or comments at:  888.793.2567 (toll-free), 360.902.8260, DSHS_Photos@dshs.wa.gov