I promise this isn’t a cliché attempt to open with weather talk. But at the risk of sounding predictable, I’d be lying if I said we weren’t genuinely excited by the first real signs of fall: the return of crisp autumn air, familiar routines, and a season of reflection that seems to bring out the best in talent from our monthly photo contest submissions.
Our September Photo Contest winners captured the spirit of Autumn perfectly while still letting a few summer moments linger with nostalgia. Take a peek at this month’s winning shot along with our honourable mentions.
Submit your favourite photo to our Monthly Photo Contest.
WINNER
Julian Gonzalez
While visiting San Andres, Colombia, with his family, Julian Gonzalez came across a weathered fishing boat resting in a small coastal village. Its worn paint, scratched hull, and unmistakable signs of age sparked something deeper than a simple documentary photography. Instead, Julian saw a story.
Julian shared, “Its scratched paint and worn hull sparked a deep sense of nostalgia, imagining the countless times it went out to feed local families. Through my photo and editing, I wanted to capture the idea that scars are the mark of a life of hard work—and in the end, we all deserve to rest.”
What a compelling and intentional narrative to tell here. The boat stands as a symbol of resilience, carrying the evidence of years spent serving purpose. Its weathered surface paints a picture of storms weathered, journeys completed, and work accomplished, encouraging viewers to look beyond the subject and reflect on the stories etched into the art of endurance.
HONOURABLE MENTION
Jonathan Gillingham
Ever so patient a wildlife photographer, Jonathan Gillingham takes a seat on the podium again as he displays the fruits of his labour in this month’s submission of a remarkable wolf portrait captured along the Ingraham Trail outside Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.
"This image was taken on the Ingraham Trail outside of Yellowknife, NT. I spent three evenings monitoring a wolf trail, waiting to photograph this wolf. I would go out 3 hours before sunset, park out of sight and shut off my vehicle in the freezing cold of April and sit there and wait. I was rewarded with a 20-minute session with this wolf. He came up to my vehicle, laid down on the road, chased cars up the highway like a dog. It was an amazing experience. I cannot wait to do it all over again this upcoming spring."
HONOURABLE MENTION
Zbigniew Gortel
Some photographs tell a story of perseverance, while others contemplate its conclusion, marvelling at the remnants of something once mighty that has yielded to time. It’s a powerful reflection on the quiet dignity of what once stood proudly intact.
Zbigniew Gortel’s latest submission captures the power in this surrender while celebrating the enduring beauty of timeless architecture, accentuated by a thoughtfully monochromatic look. It lends a scene of ageless gravitas.
Zbigniew marinated in thought while recalling the details of his image. “Calabrian Summer day. Driving up the hill, reaching the top, quite unexpectedly, a ruin appeared below me, glowing in a moonlight shine. Continuing down, the glowing walls climb onto the dark background of the sky. Time to take in and memorize the image. Closing my eyes today, I can still recall this wonderful moment near Santa Maria del Cedro.”
Looking across this month’s winning images, a theme emerges. Time leaves its mark on everything, from boats and buildings to landscapes and even ourselves. A lifetime of labour or hours of patient waiting. Centuries of history standing quietly against the sky. As photographers, we’re often told to chase fleeting moments, yet this month’s images stood out because of everything they suggest beyond the frame. Thank you to all of this month’s entrants for their contributions. We can’t wait to discover where your cameras take us next month.
For your chance to win a Free 16x20 Gallery Wrapped Canvas, submit your favourite photo to our Monthly Photo Contest.
Check out some other entries from this month's photo contest below!
