HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 09-16-2025; 4-b - “The Nature of Orange” 2025 Photography Contest 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: September 16, 2025
Action Agenda
Item No. 4-b
SUBJECT: "The Nature of Orange" 2025 Photography Contest
DEPARTMENT: Environment, Agriculture, Parks
and Recreation (DEAPR)
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
"The Nature of Orange" Photography Abby Mattingly, 919-245-2510
Contest 2025 Presentation
PURPOSE: To recognize the winners and thank all participants along with the judges of "The
Nature of Orange" 2025 Photography Contest.
BACKGROUND: The Orange County Commission for the Environment and Orange County
Parks and Recreation Council annually co-sponsor"The Nature of Orange" Photography Contest,
with this year's submittals recently completed in May 2025. This year, the theme was My Place in
Nature. This theme represents an individual's sense of belonging in Orange County's natural
settings. The goal of the contest was to inspire exploration, celebration and appreciation of
Orange County's diverse landscapes and outdoor experiences. Photographers help document
the beauty and diversity of the natural resources, and people connecting to their environment.
A panel of judges selected first, second and third place winners from the Youth and Adult divisions.
In addition, judges identified one (1) Honorable Mention award per age category.
Winners received a congratulatory certificate and a small monetary prize. Winning photos will be
displayed throughout the County. In addition, winning photographs are shared on the Orange
County DEAPR Facebook Page.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with recognition of the contest
winners. Funding for the small monetary prize (gift card) is included as part of the annual budget.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports:
• GOAL 2: HEALTHY COMMUNITY
OBJECTIVE 7. Invest in services and programs that improve the health and quality of life
of the community.
• GOAL 6: DIVERSE AND VIBRANT ECONOMY
OBJECTIVE 1. Provide family-oriented and inclusive programming or other cultural events
for residents and visitors.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board:
1) recognize and congratulate "The Nature of Orange" 2025 Photography Contest winners;
and
2) thank the judges and all those who participated in this community event.
�1
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
Nature of Orange
Photo Contest
2025
The goal is to inspire exploration,
celebration and appreciation of
Orange County's diverse
landscapes and outdoor
experiences. We want to
document the beauty of our `'
wildlife, waterways, natural
resources, and people connecting
with the environment.
2025 Theme
"My Place in Nature"
Score Criteria
• Relevancy
• Composition/Arrangement
• Focus/Sharpness
• Lighting and Creativity
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
4
Photo Display Locations
.. Chapel Hill Visitors Bureau
Chapel Hill Library
Central Recreation Center
ff Whitted
Department of Social Services
Bonnie B Davis EAC
1. •
Seymour Center
Drk
• a efordComplex
• Hillsborough Library
• Passmore Center
Adult Youth Southern Human Services
2025 117 44
2024 58 35
2023 57 22
GRANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
5
Adult 1St Place
Fog on the Farm
Kim Steffan
Rogers Farm
"My Place in Nature" isn't
complete without a nod
to Orange County's
farming traditions. This
Fd4
was a foggy scene at a
nearby farm, early one
morning.
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
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7
Adult 3rd Place
My best flower
Weihua Guan '
Chapel Hill Bible Church 7 - ►
A house finch landed on a
blooming branch on a spring s �"
sunny morning. It touched a - -
few flowers until it picked up
its favorite one and put it into
its mouth. I immediately took "
SYR
this shot to memorize this T '
amazing moment.
GRANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
8
Adult Honorable Mention
Everyday Radiance
Ashley Staples
Neighborhood in Chapel Hill
watched as this engraved
bladetooth snail climbed up
onto this American Caesar's
Amanita on the side of the
road in my neighborhood.
All of the curves and lines
were appealing to me.
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
9
Youth 1 St Place
Happy in Moss
Zoe Staples
Teer Rd Chapel Hill
v
4k w We found the frog in the door of our
w�. - •_ van and it was happy to hop down as
, . soon as the door opened. We watched
it ho around a lot! It stopped to rest at
- p pp
-, this mossy tree and that is where
r �'` ►w made myself small so it wouldn't be
. scared of me, and I took a picture. It
was happy on the moss.
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
10
Youth 2nd Place
Snaily the Snail
Calvin Johnson
Estes Hills
Snaily is the best snail in the world.
hoped he would stay in my garden but
he left. I think he really loves carrots.
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--_ ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
11
Youth 3rd Place
Freshly Picked 1 ,
Finn Tyrrell
Brumley North Nature Preserve
I have seen a lot of cedar
waxwings over the past month;
however, I hadn't gotten lucky yet b,
with where they were and never `
got any close sightings. That .
made this encounter very special,
.
and on top of that the berry
snacks made it even better. This
year's migration has been
amazing for photography of
many, many species.
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
12
Youth Honorable Mention
Drip Drip Drop Little April
Showers
Mabel Vandemark
Household yard •
found this flower in the middle of �► ��
about one thousand golden rod
plants, so it stood out to me. I _
1
thought it would make a good
picture. It was after a rainstorm
we had and so the water droplets
i
were cool to zoom in on. ---
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
13
Thank You Judges
Barry Buehler
Barry is an 83-year-old retired physicist. In 2015, my wife and I moved from Connecticut to
Hillsborough NC. My only serious hobby was playing duplicate bridge; however, I had always been
interested in photography. Shortly after settling in North Carolina, I joined the Chapel Hill Camera
Club and purchased my first "real" camera. I enjoy photographing a wide range of subjects,
especially architecture, people, and nature. Currently, I use a Canon EOS R5 as well as the camera
on my Google Pixel phone.
Margo Taussig Pinkerton
Margo Taussig Pinkerton of Barefoot Contessa Photo v
Adventures spent decades traveling the world for
Fortune 500 clients. Her images have appeared in
numerous magazines, calendars and coffee-table
books and are in collections worldwide, including
Yale's Beinecke Archives. Margo loves mentoring
others and seeks passion and simplicity in her ;r ;
photographs
Jennifer Scheib
Jennifer Scheib is a candid event photographer with over 20
3 ' years of experience documenting the energy, connection, and
authenticity at the heart of community life. Specializing in
work with community events and non-profits,Jen's
y
photography focuses on unscripted moments that tell a
deeper story and encourage community members to get
` !J involved. Originally from Pittsburgh, PA and now based in "
North Carolina, Jen brings a documentary-style approach ORANGE COUNTY
rooted in curiosity,Joy, and a strong sense of place.
NORTH CAROLINA