Congratulations to the 2025 Fall Photo Contest Winners!
The Ohio River Way is proud to announce the winners of its inaugural 2025 Fall Photo Contest! The winning images capture the beauty, character, and everyday moments that make the Ohio River corridor shine in autumn. (A very special thank you to our judges, including John Nation.)
First Place Overall
Eric Grubb
”A Fall day along the banks of Indiana's Charlestown State Park provided the perfect backdrop for the passing Ranger Tug M/V "Cookie."
Abstract Category
First Place: Keith James
”William H. Natcher Bridge at Sunset”
“This photo was taken May 25, 2025 from the Kentucky side of the Ohio River from approximately three miles away. The William H. Natcher Bridge connects Rockport, Indiana with Owensboro, Kentucky and opened in October of 2002. The photo was taken with a Sony A7III using a Sony 200-600mm lens and a 2x teleconverter; f/13, ISO 800, 1/1000 sec.” — Keith James
Second Place: Denny Riffert
”Sunset at the 4 Freedoms Monument on the Ohio River in Downtown Evansville, IN”
Boat Category
First Place: Melissa Burkhardt
“Paddlewheel wake and painted skies as the Steamboat Natchez passes Milton, Kentucky.”
“Information on this photo: There was a steamboat festival in Cincinnati, and I had heard that the historic steamboat Natchez was heading back to its home in Louisiana. My son, Drew, and I went to Madison and tracked the boat's arrival using our marine app. We waited for nearly an hour, and as it was getting late, we feared it might be too dark to photograph. But then it came into view and began playing its calliope, and the timing couldn't have been more perfect. This photo shows more of the sunset skies and Milton, KY, in the background. I particularly liked the wake created by the steamboat's paddlewheel—perfect little ripples in the water.” — Melissa Burkhardt
Second Place: Melissa Burkhardt
"History in motion: the steamboat Natchez glides along the Ohio River by Madison, Indiana."
“I took this photo (and the one above) with my drone (DJI Mini 2 SE). We were standing on Madison's rivershore, so the drone gave me plenty of vantage points. The sun was setting, creating beautiful colors, the water calmed, and there was a perfect reflection.” — Melissa Burkhardt
Scenic and Natural Features Category
First Place: Melissa Burkhardt
“Where the Ohio River bends, a rain shaft and rainbow meet over Milton, KY.”
“Information on the photo: Our farm is located on the Ohio River in Milton, KY, and watching storms cross the river valley has become one of my favorite pastimes. On this particular day, I didn’t even realize it was storming nearby because the sun was shining brightly at our home. Then I got a message from my “river neighbor” across the river at Hanover Beach, IN, who told me to grab my drone—there was a rainbow visible around the bend.
I went outside, and while the sun was shining where I stood, the view of the rainbow couldn’t be seen from my home. I flew my drone across toward the Indiana side and was blown away by what I saw. The rainbow arched perfectly through the rain shaft, creating a truly spectacular scene. I am so grateful to my river neighbor for letting me know. This photo was even featured on WDRB news that evening.” — Melissa Burkhardt
Second Place: Jennifer Jones Mogan
”Sunrise over Yellow-banks, as seen from Derby, Indiana”
“Additional Information: Derby is a historic river town in Indiana, nestled between the Hoosier National Forest and the Ohio River, and lying across the river from the Yellow-banks Wildlife Management area in Kentucky. The WMA and its neighboring farms hugging the reflective ripples of the Ohio, create a timeless vista which glows in the morning sunrise, resulting in unmatched river views for the residents and visitors of Derby.” —Jennifer Jones Mogan
Wildlife Category
First Place: Matthew Hagan Photography
”Heron at dusk”
“The Great Blue Heron in the golden light of late afternoon was looking for dinner when I took this picture” — Matthew Hagan
Second Place: Andrew Forrester
”A crane takes flight on the Ohio River near the Madison-Milton Bridge”
“I took this on an October morning with just my cell phone camera. I mostly do landscape photos, but saw the crane and actually walked toward the water to get it to move so I could snap this picture. I normally am not awake at this time, but my child started Kindergarten this fall and I have now been regularly able to see the beautiful sunrise along the Ohio after dropping him off!” — Andrew Forrester
River Town Category
First Place: Ed Hill
”Sunrise at Carroll County courthouse Clocktower”
Second Place: Matthew Hagan Photography
”Lower Falls”
“This is a shot I took with a drone at dusk of the lower Falls at the Falls of the Ohio, with the Louisville skyline in the background” — Matthew Hagan
People Category
First Place: Dan Kahl
”Silhouettes of river fun. Swimmers take a break from river volleyball late in the day.”
“Students with the University of Kentucky travelled the Ohio River during the summer of 2025 with the Ohio River Way. The students worked in conjunction with the ORW to connect with residents and to create recreation and nature-friendly design ideas for communities along the Ohio River. This photo (and the one below) represents moments in nature where students were relaxing along the water and gaining a deeper connection to the spirit of the Ohio.” — Dan Kahl
