Photo Contest 2013

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Balloons inflating at mass ascension during sunrise over mountains

Congratulations to the winners of the
2013 Cindy Petrehn Memorial Photo Contest

Grand Prize Winner

Cathy Chemistruck

Windsor, CT

Albuquerque Aloft Winners

Click each thumbnail to see a greater detail photo

1st place
Athena Montoya-Herrera

Albuquerque, NM

Black and white photo of kid walking on edge with balloon in background

2nd place
Sarah L. Neal

Albuquerque, NM

Person kayaking on river with balloons ascending in sky

3rd place
Monte Roberts

Rio Rancho, NM

Balloons flying over river

Dawn Patrol Winners

1st place
Kristen Hannum Baker

Albuquerque, NM

Balloons lit up and ascending in dark sky

2nd place
Elizabeth Nolan

Albuquerque, NM

Balloon flying in orange sky

3rd place
Chip Kamber

Rio Rancho, NM

Balloon flying in clouds over hill

Mass Ascension Winners

1st place
Michael E Halstead

Homer, AK

Colorful hot air balloons fill the sky above a crowded grassy field, where many people gather under clear blue skies, celebrating a festival.

2nd place
Natalee Koehn

Northridge, CA

A cheerful crowd watches colorful hot air balloons, some shaped like bees, ascending into a clear blue sky at an outdoor festival.

3rd place
Catherine Hempel

Winter Garden, FL

Dozens of colorful hot air balloons float over a river landscape, set against a backdrop of distant mountains under a bright, clear sky.

Balloon Glow Winners

1st place
Benny Hoy

Vancouver, BC, CA

The image shows a vibrant hot air balloon festival at dusk with colorful balloons shaped like a snowman and featuring animal silhouettes, surrounded by people.

2nd place
Bob Love

Grandview, MO

A vibrant nighttime hot air balloon festival with colorful balloons illuminating the sky. People gather around, enjoying the lively atmosphere.

3rd place
Kendra Piotrowski

Morrisdale, PA

Two people in front of heart balloon

Special Shape Rodeo Winners

1st place
Michael Chemistruck

Seattle, WA

Angry bird balloon inflating

2nd place
Cara Mudd

Erie, CO

Hummingbird balloon in sky

3rd place
Galene Mead

Corona, CA

Mass ascension of balloons

AfterGlow Fireworks Winners

1st place
Michael Mock

Albuquerque, NM

A vibrant fireworks display illuminates the night sky, creating colorful patterns above a silhouetted crowd, capturing a festive, celebratory atmosphere.

2nd place
Charles Nelson

Palmetto, FL

Fireworks going off

3rd place
Kristen Bentz

Gilbert, AZ

Fireworks going off over balloon 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