Record 50 Photos Entered in Annual Contest

It’s no secret that Kansas skies are spectacular – morning and evening, summertime and wintertime, mid-day, spring, and fall. Those themes came through beautifully in the record 50 photos submitted by SKT customers for the 2021-22 Clearwater/Viola Directory Cover Photo Contest. 

Shelby Robinson of Viola submitted the winning photo, which she describes as “quintessential Clearwater, Kansas.” It’s also one of her favorite spots for taking photos, which includes many local parks, downtown Wichita, and also her studio just outside Clearwater. Shelby has been a professional photographer for 24 years. Even though she was a biology major on the pre-med track, love, marriage, children, and the desire to stay at home with them altered her course, and she hasn’t looked back. She adds, “It has worked out really well, and is truly what I was meant to do.” Sunsets are her thing. Customers have been known to choose her “Creative Visions Photography” services purely to get one of those famous Kansas sunsets in the background. She tries to schedule photography sessions at sundown if at all possible … and, because her children know how much she loves sunsets, they often send pictures of them to her.  

Jay Stockhaus of Clearwater does photography for fun. His photo, entitled “Red Barn in the Snow,” won second place. A Clearwater resident graciously allows Stockhaus to “wander around and take pictures,” and that’s where this photo was snapped. Wildlife, landscapes, and macro photography are some of Stockhaus’ favorite subjects to document. 

Winning third place was Kent Brown of rural Peck. He captured a beautiful sunrise from his front yard. He loves taking photos of nature and has over 6,000 on his phone right now. On the subject of sunrises and sunsets, he exclaims, “The colors are ones that can’t be recreated, only done by God,” adding, “My first priority are my grandkids, and sunsets are next … LOL.” 

We want to thank each customer who submitted photos for the contest. They are available for your enjoyment below. The new phone directories will be mailed to customers in May.