Photo Contest 2011

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Top view of balloons flying

Congratulations to the winners of the
2011 Cindy Petrehn Memorial Photo Contest

Grand Prize Winner

1st Place
Ben Polonowski

Albuquerque Aloft Winners

Click each thumbnail to see a greater detail photo

1st place
Larry Konash

Inside view of balloon inflating

2nd place
Jennifer Peters

Mass ascension of balloons

3rd place
Linda Foy

Balloon flying over power line

Dawn Patrol Winners

1st place
Sarah Riedeman

Torch inflating balloon

2nd place
Christopher Laplante

Torch inflating balloon

3rd place
Bill Wilson

Balloon flying in sky over sunspot

Mass Ascension Winners

1st place
Dottie Pifer

Balloon inflating from the inside

2nd place
Tom Kilroy

Black and white photo of balloons beginning to ascend

3rd place
Ben Dawson

Close up of balloon inflating from the top

Balloon Glow Winners

1st place
Mark Slattery

Black and white photo of balloons beginning to rise

2nd place
Lori Dyckson

Torch inflating balloon from inside

3rd place
Theo Andrusyszyn

Balloons inflating at dusk

AfterGlow Fireworks Winners

1st place
Enrica Cozzutto

Firework about to explode at night

2nd place
Dexter S Reuhl

Orange firework at night

3rd place
Crystal Gallegos

Two people watching fireworks at night

About Cindy Petrehn

Cindy Petrehn was born in Clinton, Iowa, and grew up surrounded by her sister and nine brothers in Kansas City. Cindy obtained a fine arts degree at Pittsburgh State University and it was there her passion for photography began. To her, photography was “capturing the light in a moment of time and space. We may never pass this way again … or so the song goes. It is a passion and an obsession.”

In 1978, Cindy moved to Vail, Colorado and spent many years capturing intriguing images of people, events, nature and anything that caught her creative eye. She climbed mountains and traveled the world to find her next great shot.

Cindy was also licensed hot air balloon pilot, the official photographer for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, and a member of Women in Aviation and The Balloon Federation of America. Cindy was a beloved member and integral part of the Hot Air Ballooning community.

Through her photography, Cindy shared the beauty of the world, ballooning and the open skies with all. Cindy passed away on February 10, 2013 unexpectedly. She has finally found the great adventure she has been searching for and is in the most beautiful hot air balloon, taking the most amazing photographs.

Cindy Petrehn