Regional photographers win prizes, spots in Laurel Highlands tourism guide

This year’s winning images for the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau’s 15th annual Laurel Highlands Photo Contest are a colorful salute to the area’s people, plants and animals, places, festivals and events.

From close-ups of cute kids and critters, to fairs and air shows, landscapes and a church under starry skies, the winners are eye-catching displays of what the region has to offer visitors.

The top images will be published in the bureau’s 2020 Destination Guide, on laurelhighlands.org and displayed in special exhibits at high-profile locations in the Laurel Highlands.

First place in each of the four categories will receive $500; second place, $200; and third place, $100. Winning photos may also be featured on the bureau’s social media, billboards and more, according to bureau officials.

Winners include:

People

• First place, Amanda Dowdy, Packsaddle Bridge, Fairhope

• Second place, Lori Ostroski, Saint Vincent Lake, Latrobe

• Third place, Tim Krupar, Westmoreland String Workshop, Ligonier

Plants and Animals

• First place, Jeff Helsel, Ohiopyle State Park

• Second place, Krystal Ritenour, Linn Run State Park

• Third place, Tim Krupar, Wendover

Places

• First place, Alexandra Davis, Walker School Road, Berlin

• Second place, Linda Seanor, Johnson Church, Confluence

• Third place, Dana Rukse, Jennerstown Speedway

Festivals and events

• First place, Dana Rukse, Greensburg Community Days

• Second place, Denise Eidemiller, Westmoreland County Airshow

• Third place, Linda Seanor, Somerset County Fair

“The quality of the images we receive never ceases to amaze me and continues to make judging this contest very challenging year after year,” says Kristin Ecker, bureau senior director of marketing, in a release.

“The character enables us to share these individual experiences outwardly through our marketing with an authenticity that you can’t buy. The stories we create with these images, these moments, are what compel people to continue to visit our region time and time again – and that’s what this is all about,” she adds.

The 2020 Laurel Highlands Photo Contest will open for submissions early next year.