CONTRIBUTED PHOTO “Adventure in Loess Hills” taken by Katherine Vogel of Marshalltown recently won first place in the Keep Iowa Beautiful contest aimed at raising awareness of Iowa’s natural beauty. Shown on a Loess Hills trail is Vogel’s son Jase, 6.

A family day trip which included a stop in Iowa’s Loess Hills led to Katherine Vogel of rural Green Mountain winning first place in a photography contest.

Vogel’s photo, “Adventure in Loess Hills” features son Jase Vogel on a trail last summer. The image motivated Keep Iowa Beautiful (KIB) to award Vogel the top prize of $50 and a one year subscription to Our Iowa magazine.

It was the 10th annual contest held by KIB, designed to feature Iowa’s natural beauty and to learn what resonates with Iowans based on photographs they share.

“This is a great way for Iowans to share what they like about rural and urban Iowa,” said Kevin Techau, KIB Executive Director. “This photo contest offers both amateur and experienced photographers an opportunity to tell Iowa’s story in a fun, engaging way.”

Vogel, a native Virginian, was surprised to find rolling hills in Iowa, she said.

And son Jase is a frequent subject of her photos.

“His expressions, and just being a kid has motivated me to take many shots of him,” Vogel said. “A photo of him was selected by the Iowa State Fair which resulted him being on a billboard promoting the fair.”

Vogel has won two other photo contests and plans to keep on entering.

The retired United States Air Force veteran uses a Nikon D-810.

Another veteran and photography hobbyist encouraged her to try photography and enter contests.

Vogel, said that after her eight-year enlistment ended, she and husband Charles were looking for a Looking for a place to call home. They found it in rural Green Mountain.

“I did not want to return to Virginia,” she said. “It was too crowded. I like the Green Mountain area, it is quiet and peaceful.”

Second place went to Mark Iwig of Johnston, and third place to Willard Sharp of Madrid.

Honorable mentions went to Aaron Miller of Carlisle and Mark Iwig of Johnston.

The photos will be featured in KIB’s quarterly newsletter and on the KIB website during the year: www.keepiowabeautiful.com. Over 30 entries were received.

Photos available for download at: http://www.link-line.com/keep-iowa-beautiful-photography-contest-winners-2/

Contact Mike Donahey at 641-753-6611 or mdonahey@timesrepublican.com