Armidale’s Simon Scott has taken the coveted cover sport for Elders 2025 calendar competition, with his winning shot of Kramer the Kelpie.
Scott says its still sinking in.
“I am very excited and taken aback when I received an email from Elders.” said Scott.
“I didn’t expect to win, and I put the photo in of Kramer and another shot I took of the country scene last minutes, so it was really exciting to win.”
Scott says getting the shot was pure luck. He was taking photos at the University of News England’s smart farm in Armidale when he stepped back and noticed Kramer working hard.
“He was looking at those lambs and he wasn’t taking his eyes off them,” said Scott.
“From where I was standing, I knew it was going to be a good shot, and that’s when I heard of the Elders calendar competition.”
Having not entered the competition before, and often too busy to take the time to make the deadlines, Scott thought this could be his time to shine.
“I just thought well this is a rural shot, it’s a working Kelpie, everyone loves Kelpies, and I just thought Kramer was quite special because he was working really hard that day, and he is a cute dog.”
Animal photography isn’t Scott’s usual subject, but in this case, it has worked in his favour.
“My photography work encompasses is lots of different things from outside work to events, architectural photography, commercial portraiture, but I can add Kelpies to that too,”
And while Scott gains the title, Kramer won’t walk away empty pawed.
“I spoke to Kramer’s owner who and she’s extremely excited that Kramer’s now famous, and I’m going to buy him a treat or a really good steak or something like that.”
You can get your hands on a 2025 Elder Calendar with Kramer on the front cover in Elders’ branches from this November.
“We had a fantastic response and were overwhelmed by how many amazing photos we received. Making the final selection wasn’t easy.” said Elders.
Discover the winners of the 2025 Elders calendar competition here.
And for any photographers who missed out, there is always next year.
“I encourage any photographers or keen photographers to have a go at competitions, especially from this region, because we have access to so many beautiful landscapes, amazing regional people, and lots of amazing looking animals, nature and also the big skies around us.”
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