The Deseret Morning News took home more than a dozen awards, including Photographer of the Year, in the Utah News Photographers Association's annual photography contest.
The awards were presented Monday at a banquet in Salt Lake City.
Scott G. Winterton was awarded first place in the Photographer of the Year category for his "well-rounded" portfolio containing feature photography and spot news coverage, including fires and flooding, according to judge Michael du Cille, a Washington Post staff photographer.
Morning News photographer Stuart Johnson took second place in spot news photography for his "Grieving Friends" shot. Winterton was awarded fourth place in the same category for the angle and contrast he captured in a photo of a wildfire.
Keith Johnson won first place in the general news category for what the judge called "fabulous timing" in a shot called "Christening."
Laura Seitz walked away with several awards, including second place in the feature category for "Goodbye Bill-ding," a photo taken at the farewell of Highland Park Elementary School. She also won first, second and honorable mention in the portrait category. Seitz also was second runner-up for the worst photo of the year, a tongue-in-cheek category exclusively for photo faux pas.
Other awards presented to Morning News photographers included second place in sports action to Stuart Johnson; third place in pictorial to Keith Johnson; fourth place in illustration to Jason Olson; and third place to August Miller in the category for humorous photography.
Photographers submitted their own work, up to 20 entries in 12 categories each, from 2005 to be judged by expert photographers from all over the country. Most took home certificates and bragging rights, but Photographer of the Year and worst photo winners received a trophy.