First place: Ray Stewart, The Repository

About this entry: Ray Stewart’s has an ability to capture special moments in time and his submissions feature beautiful and humanizing images of the men and women of the United States military.  

Soldiers at the Call to Duty Ceremony for Company B 3-238th AViation Regiment (GSAB) at the MAPS Air Muesum.

Soldiers at the Call to Duty Ceremony for Company B 3-238th AViation Regiment (GSAB) at the MAPS Air Muesum.

The Call to Duty Ceremony for Company B 3-238th AViation Regiment (GSAB) at the MAPS Air Muesum.

The Call to Duty Ceremony for Company B 3-238th AViation Regiment (GSAB) at the MAPS Air Muesum.

Miller Loffler, 5, hangs onto his dad, Staff Sgt. Aaron Loeffler during the Call to Duty Ceremony for Company B 3-238th AViation Regiment (GSAB) at the MAPS Air Muesum.

Miller Loffler, 5, hangs onto his dad, Staff Sgt. Aaron Loeffler during the Call to Duty Ceremony for Company B 3-238th AViation Regiment (GSAB) at the MAPS Air Muesum.

Soldiers at the Call to Duty Ceremony for Company B 3-238th AViation Regiment (GSAB) at the MAPS Air Muesum.

Soldiers at the Call to Duty Ceremony for Company B 3-238th AViation Regiment (GSAB) at the MAPS Air Muesum.

Miller Loeffler, 5, holds onto dad, Staff Sgt. Aaron Loeffler, as long as he can during the Call to Duty Ceremony for Company B 3-238th AViation Regiment (GSAB) at the MAPS Air Muesum.

Miller Loeffler, 5, holds onto dad, Staff Sgt. Aaron Loeffler, as long as he can during the Call to Duty Ceremony for Company B 3-238th AViation Regiment (GSAB) at the MAPS Air Muesum.

United States Army Parachute Team Golden Knights team leader SFC Thomas Melton exits the plane as his team heads to Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium to deliver the game ball.

United States Army Parachute Team Golden Knights team leader SFC Thomas Melton exits the plane as his team heads to Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium to deliver the game ball.

Heather Egert and her daughter Cora at the Call to Duty Ceremony for Company B 3-238th AViation Regiment (GSAB) at the MAPS Air Muesum. Husband and father Sgt. Stephen Egert is a member of the regiment.

Heather Egert and her daughter Cora at the Call to Duty Ceremony for Company B 3-238th AViation Regiment (GSAB) at the MAPS Air Muesum. Husband and father Sgt. Stephen Egert is a member of the regiment.

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Laurie Bauman gets of few minutes of 'daddy time' with Sgt. Derrick Bauman at the Call to Duty Ceremony for Company B 3-238th AViation Regiment (GSAB) at the MAPS Air Muesum.

Laurie Bauman gets of few minutes of ‘daddy time’ with Sgt. Derrick Bauman at the Call to Duty Ceremony for Company B 3-238th AViation Regiment (GSAB) at the MAPS Air Muesum.

Follow The Repository on Twitter @CantonRepdotcom

Ray Stewart’s photographs work on all levels. They work in the abstract, framing the events into beautiful compositions. They capture just the right moments. But most importantly, they tell their stories with clarity and emotional grace.

Second place: Lola Gomez, The Daytona Beach News Journal

About this entry: Lola Gomez still photographs expertly capture her subjects’ frenetic energy with bold colors and and beautiful movement.

News-Journal/LOLA GOMEZ Beth Kornegay kisses Elis GV named Horse of the Year by the U.S. Equestrian Foundation in New Smyrna Beach on Friday, January 23, 2015.

News-Journal/LOLA GOMEZ Beth Kornegay kisses Elis GV named Horse of the Year by the U.S. Equestrian Foundation in New Smyrna Beach on Friday, January 23, 2015.

News-Journal/LOLA GOMEZ Danica Patrick No. 10 during a pit stop at the Daytona 500 in Daytona Beach on Sunday, February 22, 2015.

News-Journal/LOLA GOMEZ Danica Patrick No. 10 during a pit stop at the Daytona 500 in Daytona Beach on Sunday, February 22, 2015.

News-Journal/LOLA GOMEZ Tequila Patron crew take a break after work on the work on the Honda HPD ARX #1 in a pit stop at midnight during the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach on Sunday, January 25, 2015.

News-Journal/LOLA GOMEZ Tequila Patron crew take a break after work on the work on the Honda HPD ARX #1 in a pit stop at midnight during the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach on Sunday, January 25, 2015.

Follow Lola on Twitter @LolaGomezC

In this tightly edited portfolio, Lola Gomez show us the less obvious moments between the moments, in beautifully (naturally) lit, well composed images.

Third place: Doug Engle, Ocala Star-Banner

About this entry: Doug Engle captures the fun and frenzy of horse racing in his images from the Breeder’s cup.

Triple Crown Winner American Pharoah ridden by Jockey Victor Espinoza gestures towards the crowd after winning the Breeders' Cup Classic Saturday afternoon October 31, 2015, at the Keeneland Race Track in Lexington, KY during the second day of the 2015 Breeders' Cup. Triple Crown Winner American Pharoah who was broken by J.B. McKathan of Marion County, ran his last race, the Breeders' Cup Classic, before going out to stud. (Doug Engle/Ocala Star-Banner)2015.

Triple Crown Winner American Pharoah ridden by Jockey Victor Espinoza gestures towards the crowd after winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic Saturday afternoon October 31, 2015, at the Keeneland Race Track in Lexington, KY during the second day of the 2015 Breeders’ Cup. Triple Crown Winner American Pharoah who was broken by J.B. McKathan of Marion County, ran his last race, the Breeders’ Cup Classic, before going out to stud. (Doug Engle/Ocala Star-Banner)2015.

An American Pharaoh fan waves a sign before the start of the Breeders' Cup Classic Saturday. Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, ridden by Jockey Victor Espinoza, won the Breeders' Cup Classic Saturday afternoon October 31, 2015, at the Keeneland Race Track in Lexington, KY during the second day of the 2015 Breeders' Cup. Triple Crown Winner American Pharoah who was broken by J.B. McKathan of Marion County, ran his last race, the Breeders' Cup Classic, before going out to stud. (Doug Engle/Ocala Star-Banner)2015.

An American Pharaoh fan waves a sign before the start of the Breeders’ Cup Classic Saturday. Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, ridden by Jockey Victor Espinoza, won the Breeders’ Cup Classic Saturday afternoon October 31, 2015, at the Keeneland Race Track in Lexington, KY during the second day of the 2015 Breeders’ Cup. Triple Crown Winner American Pharoah who was broken by J.B. McKathan of Marion County, ran his last race, the Breeders’ Cup Classic, before going out to stud. (Doug Engle/Ocala Star-Banner)2015.

The horses break from the gate in the Las Vegas Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile Friday. Liam's Map, ridden by Jockey Javier Castellano, won the Las Vegas Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile Friday afternoon October 30, 2015, at the Keeneland Race Track in Lexington, KY during the first day of the 2015 Breeders' Cup. Liam's Map was trained by James Crupi of New Castle Farm in Marion County. (Doug Engle/Ocala Star-Banner)2015.

The horses break from the gate in the Las Vegas Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile Friday. Liam’s Map, ridden by Jockey Javier Castellano, won the Las Vegas Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile Friday afternoon October 30, 2015, at the Keeneland Race Track in Lexington, KY during the first day of the 2015 Breeders’ Cup. Liam’s Map was trained by James Crupi of New Castle Farm in Marion County. (Doug Engle/Ocala Star-Banner)2015.

American Pharaoh, Alan Hincks of Louisville, KY, jokes around with other race fans for the second day of the 2015 Breeders' Cup Saturday morning October 31, 2015, at the Keeneland Race Track in Lexington, KY during the second day of the 2015 Breeders' Cup. Triple Crown Winner American Pharoah will run his last race, the Breeders' Cup Classic, before being put out to stud. (Doug Engle/Ocala Star-Banner)2015.

American Pharaoh, Alan Hincks of Louisville, KY, jokes around with other race fans for the second day of the 2015 Breeders’ Cup Saturday morning October 31, 2015, at the Keeneland Race Track in Lexington, KY during the second day of the 2015 Breeders’ Cup. Triple Crown Winner American Pharoah will run his last race, the Breeders’ Cup Classic, before being put out to stud. (Doug Engle/Ocala Star-Banner)2015.

Blanca Martinez cleans the lawn jockeys at Keeneland Race Track Friday afternoon October 30, 2015 in Lexington, KY during the first day of the 2015 Breeders' Cup. In the two days of racing, about 60 horses have Marion County ties. (Doug Engle/Ocala Star-Banner)2015.

Blanca Martinez cleans the lawn jockeys at Keeneland Race Track Friday afternoon October 30, 2015 in Lexington, KY during the first day of the 2015 Breeders’ Cup. In the two days of racing, about 60 horses have Marion County ties. (Doug Engle/Ocala Star-Banner)2015.

The Truth Or Else, ridden by Jockey Corey J. Lanerie, walks from the paddock as spectators watch Friday afternoon October 30, 2015, at the Keeneland Race Track in Lexington, KY during the first day of the 2015 Breeders' Cup. Lanerie rode in the Shawnee Julep Cup. (Doug Engle/Ocala Star-Banner)2015.

The Truth Or Else, ridden by Jockey Corey J. Lanerie, walks from the paddock as spectators watch Friday afternoon October 30, 2015, at the Keeneland Race Track in Lexington, KY during the first day of the 2015 Breeders’ Cup. Lanerie rode in the Shawnee Julep Cup. (Doug Engle/Ocala Star-Banner)2015.

Olivia Meyer, 5, left and her sister Clara Meyer, right, were dressed to the nines in 20's attire with the rest of their family as fans arrived and made their bets for the second day of the 2015 Breeders' Cup Saturday morning October 31, 2015, at the Keeneland Race Track in Lexington, KY during the second day of the 2015 Breeders' Cup. Triple Crown Winner American Pharoah will run his last race, the Breeders' Cup Classic, before being put out to stud. (Doug Engle/Ocala Star-Banner)2015.

Olivia Meyer, 5, left and her sister Clara Meyer, right, were dressed to the nines in 20’s attire with the rest of their family as fans arrived and made their bets for the second day of the 2015 Breeders’ Cup Saturday morning October 31, 2015, at the Keeneland Race Track in Lexington, KY during the second day of the 2015 Breeders’ Cup. Triple Crown Winner American Pharoah will run his last race, the Breeders’ Cup Classic, before being put out to stud. (Doug Engle/Ocala Star-Banner)2015.

Triple Crown Winner American Pharaoh ridden by Jockey Victor Espinoza passes the grandstand after winning the Breeders' Cup Classic Saturday afternoon October 31, 2015, at the Keeneland Race Track in Lexington, KY during the second day of the 2015 Breeders' Cup. Triple Crown Winner American Pharoah who was broken by J.B. McKathan of Marion County, ran his last race, the Breeders' Cup Classic, before going out to stud. (Doug Engle/Ocala Star-Banner)2015.

Triple Crown Winner American Pharaoh ridden by Jockey Victor Espinoza passes the grandstand after winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic Saturday afternoon October 31, 2015, at the Keeneland Race Track in Lexington, KY during the second day of the 2015 Breeders’ Cup. Triple Crown Winner American Pharoah who was broken by J.B. McKathan of Marion County, ran his last race, the Breeders’ Cup Classic, before going out to stud. (Doug Engle/Ocala Star-Banner)2015.

Tepin, ridden by Jockey Julien Leparoux, won the Breeders' Cup Mile Saturday afternoon October 31, 2015, at the Keeneland Race Track in Lexington, KY during the second day of the 2015 Breeders' Cup. Leparoux kisses his new baby after winning. Tepin stayed 30 days in 2014 at Trainer Mark Casse's Moonshadow Farm in Marion County. (Doug Engle/Ocala Star-Banner)2015.

Tepin, ridden by Jockey Julien Leparoux, won the Breeders’ Cup Mile Saturday afternoon October 31, 2015, at the Keeneland Race Track in Lexington, KY during the second day of the 2015 Breeders’ Cup. Leparoux kisses his new baby after winning. Tepin stayed 30 days in 2014 at Trainer Mark Casse’s Moonshadow Farm in Marion County. (Doug Engle/Ocala Star-Banner)2015.

Follow Doug on Twitter @OcalaStarBanner

Doug Engle posted a strong portfolio with some memorable single images and a nicely executed picture story on the Breeders Cup race. With beautiful scene setting images and racing action mixed with the social scene, this story is a complete package.