Thank You New Jersey Monthly Magazine!

Thank you New Jersey Monthly Magazine for awarding me the ‘Overall Runner Up’ winner for your magazine cover contest!

The image I submitted is from my second photography exhibit ‘Empower’ and was called ‘Rise’. This photo was taken almost four years ago at Asbury Park Beach. The model is Shirley Brito, a salsa dancer who got up at 4:00 am and was brave enough to climb the slippery boulders. It was also taken the day after a rainstorm (hence the soaring waves) and is still, to this day, one of my favorite images.

The contest was conducted as follows. Submissions were accepted March 23rd through September 30th. There were eight categories: Architecture, Lifestyle, Landscape & Nature, Down the Shore, Wildlife, Aerial & Drone, Student, and Special (digital manipulations etc.) There was a total of 1,315 submissions. All were reviewed for originality, technical excellence, composition, artistic merit and relevance to life in New Jersey.

I am beyond grateful to receive this recognition along with some amazing(!) prizes. Unique Photo collaborated with New Jersey Monthly and awarded me a Sony A7III W/ 28-70 (a value of $2,200). In addition, New Jersey Monthly Magazine published my image in the Table Of Contents placement of their December magazine issue 🙌. It was a wonderful evening at Unique Photo in Fairfield, NJ celebrating all the beautiful images, photographers and winners. Thank you again Unique Photo and New Jersey Monthly for running this contest!! I am beyond grateful, super thrilled and continually inspired! 🙏❤️ To view the magazine and all of the awarded images click here.

Photos above from Left to Right: Lynn Heyns, the winner of the cover contest. Alexander Sweetwood, President of Unique Photo. Kate Tomlinson, Owner of New Jersey Monthly Magazine.