The Bear Paw Photography Contest 2026
About the Contest
Every year we look forward to holding the Bear Paw Photography Contest in conjunction with Jitters and the annual Bear Paw Festival in Eagle River and Chugiak.
This year’s exhibit includes photographs that were selected from over 150 photographs. Photographers entered under one of three classes: Adult, Teen or Youth. All the photos in this show were taken in Alaska after January 1, 2025. There were seven categories that they were able to enter in: Eagle River, People, Cultural, Scenic, Fauna, Flora, and Creative. All Youth entries were placed in an Open category.
Festival Favorite for 2026
We are happy to announce that the winner of the 2026 Bear Paw Photography Contest
Festival Favorite
is… drum roll, please…
Slippery – Serena Sweet
(pictured above)
Congratulations and thank you to everyone who participated and voted!
Every year, you all blow us away with your incredible talent! We love seeing what everyone’s been photographing—it’s honestly such a treat and one of the absolute highlights of our year.
Huge thanks to everyone who entered—you rock! We can’t wait to see the amazing (and totally awesome) art you create next year. Bring it on!
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- Flora Joy – Serenity Steinfort-Leeds
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- Fire Leaf – Felicity Gabel
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- Eklutna Tailrace – Bart Quimby
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- Eagle River Valley – Bart Quimby
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- Eagle River Night Light – Kathleen Meyen
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- Downward Spiral – Lisa Torkelson
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- Double The Sunshine – Gracie Abbas
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- Coastal Nature Fibers – Serenity Steinfort-Leeds
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- Boardwalk Blues – Megan Henry
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- Among the Stones – Mari-ann Allen
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- Alaska Transportation – Chris Steinfort-Leeds
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- Alaska Summer Smores – Kiri Abbas
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- Alaska Aloe. Indoors Only. – Sawyer Abbas
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- A Daughter’s Laugh – Adam Stewart
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- Wonderland Rock – Felicity Gabel
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- Winter Snacking – Gracie Abbas
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- Winter Haze – Gracie Abbas
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- Tree of Wheels – Serenity Steinfort-Leeds
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- Totem – Serena Sweet
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- Time to Reflect – Kathy Doty
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- Sunrise 4 – Michael Nolan
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- RWB Ballons – Lindsey Songer
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- Ol’ Blow Hard – Lisa Torkelson
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- Nature Center – Julie Jessen
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- Midnight Train to Fairbanks – Bart Quimby
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- Midnight Luster – Adam Stewart
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- Lupine Beauty – Kathleen Meyen
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- Loney Trees – Gary Steinfort
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- Light Catcher – Adrienne Levine
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- Landing Zones – Gary Steinfort
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- Itsy Bitsy Spider – Gary Steinfort
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- Inlet Sunset – Serenity Steinfort-Leeds
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- Ice Lantern 346 – Shawn Lucas
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- Herring Egg Harvest – Kathy Doty
