Laura Captain : Photos, Candles, Wax Melts, Fire Starters, Wax Goods

Pretty sign at entrance to town.

2005 LAUDERDALE BY THE SEA VISITOR'S Guide

I was living in Florida and entered a local photo contest, it was actually my very first. The chamber of commerce was wanting photos of the beach and the local area and were going to publish the winners in the 2005 Lauderdale By The Sea Visitor's Guide along with awarding cash prizes. So of course I was excited about the possibility of getting my photos published for loads of people to see.

I went out and took some photos that I would want to see in a guide book, selected my best ones and submitted them. I was nervous and excited and had no idea how many other photographers would also be submitting their best work.

Finally, I was notified of the results and I had won 2nd place. I know, I know, it's not 1st place but for me it was just as thrilling and gratifying because my award winning photo would be published for the world to see. And that was my main goal. Look out National Geographic, here I come. LOL! My image was used in an article toward the beginning of the book. In the photo below I don't look very excited but I truly was.

2005 Contest Results: Photo published and awarded 2nd Place Prize

1st place winner's photo used on the book cover (not my photo)

Me with my red 2nd place ribbon

My photo used in an article

My published beach photo

2006 LAUDERDALE BY THE SEA VISITOR'S GUIDE

Since I enjoyed participating in the photo contest the previous year, I decided to enter again. You don't know what will happen unless you try, right? I was very excited and really wanting to have another one of my photos published in the visitor's guide.

Well guess what? They published 3 of my photos in the 2006 guide book. Even though I didn't win a ribbon that time, I was still thrilled and glad I had entered the contest.

2006 Contest Results: 3 photos published but no award this time