Blue Ribbons & The Surprising Prestige of the Local Fair
Award-Winning New Hampshire Photography
There are few greater honors, as an artist, than seeing your work hanging amongst the showcase of a grand exhibit. And someday, I truly hope to feel that. But for now, up the hill from a tractor pull and and across the lot from the swine barn, I'm proud to have had my photos displayed at the local Deerfield Fair here in our great state of New Hampshire. This year, I had the absolute privilege of winning, not one, but four coveted Blue Ribbons for photography — which officially means my camera skills have now been evaluated somewhere between prize-winning zucchini and aggressively competitive quilting.
As a New England photographer, I spend most of my year capturing weddings, sports, portraits, and storytelling moments across New Hampshire and beyond. But there’s something uniquely humbling about printing your work, pinning it to a display board, and letting strangers in cargo shorts judge your shutter speed choices while licking cotton candy from their sticky fingers.
Why Local Photography Competitions Matter
In a world of social media algorithms, viral reels, and perfectly curated Instagram feeds, local fairs still have something rare: real community connection. Photography competitions give artists and photographers a chance to showcase work in a tangible, personal way — not just through a screen.
For me, these Blue Ribbon photography awards represent more than a title. They’re a reminder that storytelling through photography still resonates with people. Whether it’s emotional wedding photography, high-energy sports photography, cinematic portraits, or authentic candid moments, the goal has always been the same: create images people feel.
Apparently, fair judges feel things too. Which is excellent news for me.
Why Local Photography Competitions Matter
In a world of social media algorithms, viral reels, and perfectly curated Instagram feeds, local fairs still have something rare: real community connection. Photography competitions give artists and photographers a chance to showcase work in a tangible, personal way, not just through a screen.
For me, these Blue Ribbon photography awards represent more than a title. They’re a reminder that storytelling through photography still resonates with people. Whether it’s emotional wedding photography, high-energy sports photography, cinematic portraits, or authentic candid moments, the goal has always been the same: create images people feel.
Apparently, fair judges feel things too. Which is excellent news for me.
The Highly Sophisticated Process
People assume winning photography awards involves intense focus and preparation. In reality, my process looked something like this:
- Hours obsessing over which edits to submit
- Re-export the same image 14 times for quality control
- Question every life decision I've made up until this point
- Panic call photography friends to vent
- Eat fried Oreos at the frying pan toss
- Somehow, at the end of the day, win Blue Ribbons
Still, seeing my photography displayed among so many talented local artists was genuinely special. It's inspiring to stand by and overhear a small family point our your photo as something new and different. and humbling to listen to inebriated onlookers criticize the same photo. The Deerfield Fair has always been one of those classic New England traditions that brings communities together, and being recognized there as a professional photographer means a lot to me. With this motivation and confidence, I'm excited to move forward.
Photography Rooted in New England Storytelling
One of the reasons I love being a New Hampshire photographer is the variety of stories this region offers. One weekend I’m documenting a luxury wedding in the White Mountains, the next I’m photographing athletes under stadium lights, and somewhere in between I’m probably lying in the grass convincing a senior portrait client that “this feels awkward but will look amazing.”
Every session, event, and wedding teaches me something new creatively, and many of my Blue Ribbon images were rooted in exactly that. Real people, real emotion, and authentic moments.
That’s always been the heart of my photography style.
What’s Next?
More weddings. More portraits. More sports photography. More storytelling. And ideally more situations where my work is judged favorably by both art enthusiasts and people carrying giant turkey legs.
Oh, and the... come to find out, BEST PHOTOGRAPHY Purple Ribbon I didn't know existed! Awarded this year to local photographer Mychal Croteau for his stunning black and white wildlife shot.
To everyone who has supported my photography business, booked a session, shared my work, or trusted me to document important moments: thank you. Your support allows me to continue creating meaningful images throughout New Hampshire and New England.
And to the local fair judges — thank you for validating the years of caffeine-fueled editing sessions.
I’ll try not to let the Blue Ribbons go to my head, and I'm coming for that Purple Best Photography award!
