Daily Herald photo contest winners for December 2025
The top finishers in December’s amateur photo contest capture scenes from ferocious to serene.
Sheila Watson’s intriguing photo of a visiting coyote takes the top spot. The Lake Zurich resident writes, “I love how its ears are out to the side. I love living here and enjoy seeing the wild animals.”
In second place, Al Benson of Aurora captures the warm glow of candlelight on two children’s faces during Christmas Eve worship in Aurora.
Snagging the third spot is John Wysocki’s photo of Chicago Bears receiver Jahdae Walker catching the game-tying touchdown pass on Dec. 20. The Mount Prospect resident writes, “I was lucky to capture this huge moment that brought the game into overtime, where the Bears won the biggest game of the year.”
In fourth place, Tom Knutson’s photo captures the intensity of a snarling Tasmanian devil. The West Chicago resident writes, “It got its fierce reputation from settlers who were very scared by howls and screeches in the woodland from the devils as they fought over food. They can open their mouth unusually wide for a ferocious bite.”
Contest rules
The Daily Herald invites readers to submit their own photos to our “Your Images” amateur photo contest.
Once a month, we showcase entries that feature one first-place winner and three runners-up. The contest is open to everyone in the Daily Herald readership area.
• To submit a photo of your own for consideration, email it in .jpg format at highest quality possible to yourimages@dailyherald.com. Please remove any date stamps on the photo.
• Include your name, mailing address and phone number, plus a detailed description of your photo. Remember to include a sentence or two on what you like about it and your hometown.
• One photo a week per photographer, but enter as many weeks as you’d like.
• First-place winners will receive prizes alternating between The Great Frame Up in Schaumburg and PJ’s Camera in Glen Ellyn.