Two prints by Monticello, Big Lake and Becker area photographer Chris Lommel have been accepted into the Minnesota Professional Photographers Association traveling loan collection. "Kick Back" was made during STMA soccer player Emmy Johnson's senior portrait session in Lommel's studio. "Morning Dew" shows vivid detail of dew drops on a pink peony in their outdoor portrait park.

Two other prints by Lommel scored well in the regional judging of more than 300 prints by more than 80 photographers from Minnesota and North and South Dakota. The competition kicked off a four-day annual convention for professional photographers in Watertown, South Dakota. "I learned a lot from excellent nationally-known speakers," said Lommel. "Now we're ready to roll with great new senior, children and family portrait ideas!"