Middlesex County is hosting the 2024 Picture Middlesex County, an annual photography contest that started March 19 and is currently accepting photo submissions until June 11 to highlight and acknowledge the photo-taking skills of aspiring photographers.

Shannon Tambini, Director of Marketing, said, “All photos submitted must be taken within the contest timeframe and within Middlesex County, NJ.”

According to the Middlesex County website, this contest is open to all New Jersey residents, and they could be beginners or professional photographers, as well as participants of any age; however, individuals 17 and under require their parent/guardian to sign the entry form.

According to the website, a judging committee from the County will choose winners anonymously, and the winning pictures will be uploaded to a new photo album on the County’s Facebook page.

Tambini said the categories for this year’s photography contest include Nature and Scenery, Macro and Micro, Pop of Color, and Community Events.

According to the website, participants can enter up to two photos in each of the five photo submission categories.

Tambini said that participants can click on a category on the website to submit their photos using that form.

She said, “Our Picture Middlesex contest is a way for residents to engage with us, to be able to share and celebrate the essence of Middlesex County through their unique perspectives.”

She said, “ I hope this contest inspires residents to get out and explore the County, to take a closer look at their surroundings and snap away!”

Arielle Flores, Educational Opportunity Fund Program Coordinator, said, “I personally think that the contest is a great idea… It exposes anyone who’s just interested in the art of photography to join in. It’s a great teaching moment, too.”

She said seeing that both beginners and professional photographers can participate in this contest allows those who aren’t too experienced to see the professional photos and possibly have the opportunity to be mentored by those experts. 

Flores said it is great that there is no age limit to this contest because there are children and elderly individuals who are phenomenal at photography and could have the chance to show their skills.

Flores said she thinks this contest can positively impact the college community by benefiting the photography students and anyone who likes photography as a hobby.

She said, “I think it exposes the college ability.”

Annie Hogan, Chair of the VPMA Department, said, “The opportunity can benefit the college community through our student participation. Having students make images in and around Middlesex County allows our students to show off where they live, and show off their skills. 

She said, “If they (our Media Arts and Design students) become finalists, they have the opportunity to be published via the many ways in which Middlesex County is highlighted both in print and online.”

Hogan said, “I love the categories, as our students have a proclivity to gravitate toward what they do or shoot best. Some can really make stunning portraits, some make fantastic images of the built environment, or some concentrate on the power of color.” 

She said, “It seems the competition caters for those with any level of experience, and this is a great way our students can put into action what they learned in class. Publicity for an image a student has made, is a positive way to recognize publicly their passion for their craft.”

“I love that there is a contest in Middlesex County. The fact there are five areas that students can submit up to two images toward: nature and scenery, macro and micro, pets and wildlife, pop of color and community events, means there is an opportunity for everyone,” Hogan said.

Asfra Kazmi, a first-year student, said, “I feel like opening this photography contest to a diverse group of people and also providing them with such a variety of topics will allow people to be more creative.”

Hogan said, “Whether you are a professional photographer or a novice, having recognition of your work is a bonus. Students can put it on their resume, and as all images will be posted on the County’s Facebook page, means many thousands of people will view them.”

For more information about the categories and guidelines, visit https://discovermiddlesex.com/picture-middlesex-county/.