Betty Haynes Makes History With Dual Photographer Awards

First-Ever Dual Photographer of the Year Win at Ag Summit

Bonnie Johnson
July 28, 2026
Media Article

Betty Haynes of Midwestern Lens made Ag Media Summit history in 2026, becoming the first photographer to win both ACN and LPC Photographer of the Year honors in the same year.

Betty Haynes, owner of Midwestern Lens, made history at the 2026 Ag Media Summit by becoming the first photographer to earn both the Agricultural Communicators Network (ACN) Photographer of the Year and Livestock Publications Council (LPC) Photographer of the Year awards in the same year.

Along with these top honors, Haynes received ACN’s Photo of the Year award for her image “Harvest Hugs.” She also earned four first-place awards from ACN and four first-place awards from LPC across multiple photography categories.

Haynes launched Midwestern Lens two years ago after working with Farm Progress and the Illinois Beef Association. Her agricultural background and life on her family’s farm continue to influence her photography and storytelling.

Among her award-winning works were “Harvest Hugs,” named ACN’s 2026 Photo of the Year, “Furry Friends,” which won first place in ACN’s photo illustration category, and “Next Gen Cattlewomen,” which earned first place in LPC’s photo story category.

Those interested in Haynes’ photography and agricultural storytelling services can contact her at betty@midwesternlens.com or visit www.midwesternlens.com.