Faces in Places in Utah Photography Contest Launched

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Office of Tourism and the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) have launched a unique photography contest that challenges photographers of all backgrounds to capture the facial expressions of people as they experience Utah Life Elevated®.

Open to professionals, amateurs, and students alike, the Faces in Places in Utah photography contest seeks to show visitors and citizens enjoying the best experiences in Utah – whether it’s the joy on a child’s face at the Utah State Fair, a dancer’s focus during an important recital, the exhilaration of a first‐time skier, the triumph of a hiker reaching the summit at Angels Landing in Zion National Park, or even the concentration of a concert pianist or research scientist.

“Utah’s scenic beauty is unparalleled, and the state is known worldwide as a destination that must be photographed,” says Leigh von der Esch, managing director of the Utah Office of Tourism, an agency of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. “However, some of the most powerful images we come across are the ones that effectively capture the diversity of citizens and visitors enjoying the Utah experience. We want to celebrate that joy with this exciting contest.”

The contest also features a special business category, highlighting the faces of Utahns in the workplace and the positive human impact on the state’s vibrant economy.

“This contest will capture the dynamism of Utahns at work and play, from aerospace to outdoor recreation,” says Spencer Eccles, executive director of GOED. “Utah’s diverse, skilled, and vibrant workforce remains critical to Governor Herbert’s vision of Utah leading the nation as the best performing economy.”

A panel of graphic designers, photographers, and outdoor enthusiasts, will judge the photographs based on photographic quality as well as promotional appeal.

Prizes will be awarded for first and second place winners in each geographically-designated category (Northern, Central, and Southern Utah) for both students and non‐students. First‐place winners will receive $1,500, and second place winners will receive $750. Each region will have a first and second place photo awarded in the business category, also $1,500 and $750 respectively. Winning photographs will become the property of the State of Utah and may be included in the 2014 Official Utah Scenic Calendar, on the office’s website www.VisitUtah.com, or other collateral material.

·       This contest is free and open to anyone 18 years of age or older

·       Entries must be original photographs depicting Utah, preferably taken within the last 12 months

·       Photographs must be full‐color

·       Photographers may submit a maximum of 12 entries.

·       Entrants must submit a signed photo release form for each identifiable person in each photograph

·       Not open to employees or immediate family members of the Utah Office of Tourism or GOED

• The contest runs from June 1, 2012 through January 18, 2013

Finalists will be notified via email by February 1, 2013. The winning photos may be displayed at Tourism Day on the Hill, Wednesday, February 13, 2013, in the State Capitol Rotunda. For more information go to VisitUtah.com, or contact Audrey Livingston at aelivingston@utah.gov, or call the Utah Office of Tourism at (801) 538-1030 or (800) 200-1160.

 

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