Steam, Steel and Strobes
Young Photographers Scholarship
For the thirteenth year in a row, the Nevada Northern Railway Museum is offering a special Steam, Steel, and Strobes Scholarship to attend the railroad’s annual photo event in February.
The competition is open to individuals from ages 18-30.
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Lens on Heritage Railroading
The NNRy is making this opportunity available to encourage young adults to participate in an outstanding heritage railroading activity. Steve Crise, a professional photographer, will mentor the winners.
This is an outstanding opportunity to participate and learn about heritage railroading.
Winners will be announced on Nov 30th, 2026 for the 2027 photoshoots!
Scholarship Awards
You will receive your stipend upon your arrival at the Nevada Northern Railway Museum in Ely, Nevada.
All winners will have the opportunity to work with professional photographer Steve Crise during the February 2027 events.
First Place Awards
- Free Admittance to the Photoshoot Event
- $750 Stipend
- NNRy Lodging for Two Nights
2x Runner-up Awards
- Free Admittance to the Photoshoot Event
- $500 Stipend
Last Year's Winners
Ryan Gaynor
Grand Prize Winner
Ryan Deam
1st Runner-Up
Nathanial Brown
1st Runner-Up
Zachary Giesenschlang
2nd Runner-Up
Jackson Vandeventer
2nd Runner-Up
Here’s how you can apply to this once in a lifetime opportunity:
Submissions accepted from October 15th 2026 - November 15th 2026
01
To be eligible for this contest you must be between the ages of 18 – 30 years old or will turn 18 years old in January 2027 or you will be under 30 years old at the time of the end of the contest.
02
Email us your proposal in a Word or PDF document with your last name as the file name. Please tell us a few details about yourself and about the images you have sent in for the contest. For example, you could tell us where you shot each photo and why you believe this best represents your work. Please keep your proposal to 350 words. Your proposal will carry as much weight, as your images will, when we decide winners. The submission should be in a business letter format that includes their name, phone number and contact email.
03
Along with your proposal, you will need to email us ONLY THREE IMAGES of your best work. If you send in only two images or more than three images, you will be disqualified. Your photographs DO NOT have to be of railroads or trains in general, you can submit any subject matter that you believe best represents your work.
04
Watermark your image with your last name and numbered in sequence, 001, 002, 003. For example, if your last name is Smith, watermark them somewhere inside the image area Smith 001, Smith 002, Smith 003. Name your files the same name as your watermark. For example, if your last name is Smith, your file names should be Smith 001, Smith 002, Smith 003 that corresponds with your watermark. All image files should be sent as jpeg files only. Failure to follow these instructions will automatically disqualify you.
05
Images must be 10 inches on the widest side either horizontal or vertical, at 300 dpi. Failure to do so will automatically disqualify you
06
The Nevada Northern will reserve the right to post your images on their website or social media sites for promotional purposes only. Your photos will not be resold or distributed in any way without your written permission.
07
Previous grand prize winners are not eligible for the contest but we strongly urge former runners-up and prior contestants who did not win to enter again.
08
Please be sure that you are available on the weekends of the photoshoots in February. If for any reason you win and are not available for this season’s event, please notify us as soon as possible so that other runners-up may attend. No stipends will be rewarded in advance of your arrival at the offices of the Nevada Northern Railway in Ely, Nevada. No Exceptions.
09
When you have made your three image selections, have labeled them and sized them properly, and saved them as a jpeg file, please send your 350-word proposal as a Word or PDF document and your jpeg image files to Contest, at [email protected]. Deadline for entries is November 15th, 2026 at 5:00 pm PST, please put Steam, Steel and Strobes in the subject line. Mark Bassett and Steve Crise will judge each entry and you will be notified if you are among the winners.
Hear From Our Winners
"I had a couple friends who had previously won the scholarship contest and they told me that it was easily one of the best photo experiences they've ever had. Being a Nevadan already, I knew I would regret not applying since the Nevada Northern is fairly close to home. I am a two time winner of the scholarship and each time I've gone, I had so much fun. It's great to be able to see a steam locomotive in the cold weather with billowing steam and a historically accurate consist, but I think it's even cooler that the Nevada Northern made these photoshoots more accessible for a younger generation of photographers. As a college student, a lot of railroad photoshoots are typically out of my budget, but you don't have to worry about the cost when you win the scholarship contest. I would say this makes the photo shoots here at the Nevada Northern truly stand out."
"I was graciously invited to attend one of the Steam Steel and Strobes Photo Workshops and I can say that it was a very informative few days with both chances to learn new photography skills (I took the most away from the post-processing section) and put them to use right after learning. I believe that this event is perhaps the only railroad event in the country that gives the photographer such excellent opportunities to grow while being surrounded by many other talented individuals. Not only did I learn from the pros teaching the lessons, but also from my fellow attendees as we bounced ideas off of each other. I look forward to returning for the photo shoot weekends in the future!"
"I won a grand prize scholarship to attend the 2024 Winter Steam Photoshoot Weekend. The winter photoshoots set up some truly spectacular photo opportunities, offering a unique blend of historic equipment, gorgeous scenery, and a variety of locations. Exploration is truly limitless, and you will get photos you absolutely cannot find anywhere else. Most of my favorite photos I have ever taken came from the weekend I attended. In addition to the great scenery and operations, the photographers who set it up are incredibly talented and knowledgeable and can help you achieve almost any photo you want."
We are Very Much Looking Forward to Your Submissions!
To apply for this opportunity you may email your 350-word proposal and three jpeg images directly to [email protected].
Alternatively, you can complete your entry by submitting the application form below:
