Essex National Heritage Area
Essex Heritage Photo Contest

Sponsored by:

Photographers get Snapping!

We are pleased to announce the
2013 Essex National Heritage Area Photo Contest!

Deadline for submission: October 1, 2013

All photographers are welcome to submit images to the Essex National Heritage Area Photo Contest that capture the essence of the Essex National Heritage Area (ENHA) or speak to Essex Heritage's role in preserving the historic, cultural and natural treasures of Essex County!  Photographs must be taken within the ENHA and represent one of three Contest Categories listed below. Read the complete Rules & Requirements then send in an entry form to win!

PHOTO CONTEST FORMS:
1. Rules & Requirements (.pdf)
2. Entry Form (.pdf)
3. Model Release Form (.pdf)

PHOTO CONTEST CATEGORIES:

Contest Category Criteria

Images of the Essex National Heritage Area (ENHA)

 Many of our nation’s most valued historical and cultural sites exist here, in our own back yard. Photographs submitted to this category should capture the essence of the Essex National Heritage Area. When shooting or selecting images to submit for the contest, please consider the Essex National Heritage Commission’s mission to preserve, promote and enhance the natural, cultural, and historic resources of Essex County, Massachusetts.

The Merrimack Valley

 The Merrimack Valley region of Massachusetts is one of great contrasts: expansive tracts of forested uplands and active farmland, large post-industrial cities, small classic New England towns and villages, and the Great Marsh, New England's largest salt marsh.  Linking these varied heritage landscapes is the region’s largest natural feature – the Merrimack River, a critically important ecological and environmental resource renowned for its beauty and role in shaping the region’s nationally significant industrial and cultural history.  Photographs submitted to this category should be representative of the Merrimack Valley region and must have been taken in one of the Merrimack Valley communities:  Amesbury, Andover, Boxford, Georgetown, Groveland, Haverhill, Lawrence, Merrimac, Methuen, Newbury, Newburyport, North Andover, Rowley, Salisbury, and West Newbury.
Visit the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission’s website to learn more: www.mvpc.org

People and Places

 Capture the rhythm of life in the heart of charming seaside communities, small village centers, or historic downtowns in the Essex National Heritage Area. Photographs submitted to this category should focus on the built environment- from streetscapes to architectural details, to festivals and people in action enjoying and engaging in their community in the Heritage Area.

Exploring the Scenic Byway

 The Essex Coastal Scenic Byway is a state-designated 85-mile scenic shoreline route traversing 13 coastal communities:  Lynn, Swampscott, Marblehead, Salem, Beverly, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Gloucester, Essex, Ipswich, Rowley, Newbury, & Newburyport.  2013 marks the 75th Anniversary of Salem Maritime National Historic Site, the first historic site established by the National Park Service. In honor of this historic anniversary, be sure to capture the best of maritime history in this category! Photographs submitted to this category must have been taken on the Coastal Byway route and represent the best of what travelers experience along the way: dramatic coastlines, historic seaports, colonial era farms, small village centers, and a wealth of architecture. Map your route and read more about the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway at: www.coastalbyway.org

PHOTO CONTEST PRIZES:
Winners will be notified and announced by the end of November 2013. There will ten (13) prizes awarded*:

Prizes for the 2013 Essex National Heritage Area Photo Contest are generously contributed by Hunt's Photo & Video and the National Park Service.

2012 Photo Contest Results

Rocky coasts & harbors, farms & forests, historic towns and trails . . . photographers searched out the best and most beautiful locations for their award-winning submissions to the 2012 Essex National Heritage Area Photo Contest! Their photographs capture our distinctive regional heritage by land and by sea and showcase the living landscape of natural, cultural and historic treasures that define the Essex National Heritage Area. All of the winning photographs were taken in the Essex National Heritage Area and represent one of three contest categories: "Images of the Essex National Heritage Area", "In Town/Downtown" or "The Merrimack Valley."

The 13 winning images will be exhibited at the National Park Service Visitor Center in Salem (2 New Liberty Street, Salem, MA 01970) and at the office of the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission (160 Main Street, Haverhill, MA 01830) for one year.

The 2012 Photo Contest was sponsored by Hunt's Photo & Video, The Merrimack Valley Planning Commission, and the National Park Service.

Prizes for the 2012 Essex National Heritage Area Photo Contest were generously contributed by Hunt's Photo & Video and the National Park Service.

Grand Prize

"Pinky Schooner 'Ardelle'"
By Arlene Taliadoros
Location: Essex River Basin, Essex, MA

Images of the ENHA

Many of our nation's most valued historical and cultural sites exist here, in our own backyard. Photographs submitted to this category should capture the essence of the Essex National Heritage Area. When shooting or selecting images to submit for the contest, please consider the Essex National Heritage Commission's mission to preserve, promote and enhance the natural, cultural, and historic resources of Essex County, Massachusetts.

First Prize

“Snowy Owl Defense”
By Ken Jordan
 Location: Plum Island, Newburyport, MA

Second Prize

"Super Moon Pathway"
By Susan Washeba Plutsky
Location: Lynch Park, Beverly, MA

Third Prize

“First Light”
by Philip Karwowski
 Location: Hospital Point Lighthouse, Beverly, MA

In Town/Downtown

Capture the rythym of life in the heart of charming seaside communities, small village centers, or historic downtowns in the Essex National Heritage Area. Photographs submitted to this category should focus on the build environment - from streetscapes to architectural details, to festivals and people in action enjoying and engaging in their community in the Heritage Area.

First Prize

“Marblehead Festival of the Arts, July 4th”
By Karen Hosking
Location: Marblehead, MA

Second Prize

“Salem Celebrates Independence Day”
By Rick Matthias
Location: Derby Wharf, Salem Maritime NHS, Salem, MA

Third Prize

"Newburyport Night"
By Steven Perlmutter
Location: Newburyport, MA

The Merrimack Valley

The Merrimack Valley region of Massachusetts is one of great contrasts: expansive tracts of forested uplands and active farmland, large post-industrial cities, small classic New England towns and villages, and the Great Marsh, new England's larges salt marsh. Linking these varied heritage landscapes is the region's larges natural feature - the Merrimack River, a critically important ecological and environmental resource renowned for its beauty and role in shaping the region's nationally significant industrial and cultural history.

First Prize

“Great Marsh”
 By Karen Lynch
Location: Plum Island, Newbury, MA

Second Prize

“Misty Autumn Sunrise (Panorama)”
By Donald Slater
Location: Atop Bear Hill, Merrimac, MA

Third Prize

"Dead Standing"
 By Elaine Gauthier
Location: North Andover, MA

Youth Entry

Wining images selected from participants ages 5-16.

"Water Power"
By Ula Grabski
Location: Lawrence History Center, Lawrence, MA

"Sunflowers"
 By Kerry Reynolds
Location: Colby Farm, Newbury, MA

"Magic Rainbow"
 By Sydney Jolivet
Location: Atkinson Common, Newburyport, MA


About the Essex National Heritage Area Photo Contest

Essex Heritage relies on your participation and active engagement to fulfill our mission, support our partners and encourage stewardship of our treasured resources. Essex Heritage’s Photo Safari program and Photo Contest costs are generously underwritten by Hunt's Photo & Video.

to flip through the 2009, 2010, 2011 & 2012 Photo Contest albums!