Photo Contest 2017

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A glowing hot air balloon rises above a large crowd holding an American flag, creating a festive evening atmosphere.

Congratulations to the winners of the 2017 Cindy Petrehn Memorial Photo Contest

Grand Prize Winner

Dennis Chick

Kids Winners

Click each thumbnail to see a greater detail photo

1st place
Johnson Li

Child wearing pink sunglasses points, reflecting colorful hot air balloons and a tent under a clear sky. Blurred background adds depth.

2nd place
Daniel Campbell

A child in a navy coat stands on grass, surrounded by people and colorful hot air balloons under a bright blue sky.

3rd place
Patrick Hart

Two people walk between vibrant hot air balloons on grass, wearing cozy clothing and hats, under a clear blue sky.

Mass Ascension Winners

1st place
Colin Graham

Kayakers paddle along a river under clear skies with numerous hot air balloons floating above, surrounded by lush greenery on a sunny day.

2nd place
Emeric Le Bars

Numerous colorful hot air balloons float above a scenic landscape with a river, trees, and distant mountains under a clear blue sky.

3rd place
Jeanette Senn

A person holds a crystal ball reflecting colorful hot air balloons against a vibrant sky. The foreground hand appears in sharp focus.

Dawn Patrol/Balloon Glow Winners

1st place
Janice Phillips

Colorful hot air balloons glowing at night with many people gathered around, creating a vibrant and festive atmosphere in an open field.

2nd place
John Clay

Five colorful hot air balloons illuminate the night sky, glowing vividly against a dark landscape, possibly during a nighttime balloon festival event.

3rd place
Stephen Malaska

Two colorful hot air balloons inflate at night; one shows stars and stripes. People and distant mountains are silhouetted against the dark sky.

Special Shape Rodeo Winners

1st place
Corey Hitt

A couple kisses at a colorful hot air balloon festival, with bee-shaped balloons and a crowd in the background under a clear sky.

2nd place
Steve Edwards

Colorful, character-shaped hot air balloons fill the sky, hovering above a lively crowd at a hot air balloon festival. Clear, sunny day backdrop.

3rd place
Alan Wintz

Colorful character-shaped hot air balloons at a festival, with people gathered on the grass below, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.

AfterGlow Fireworks Winners

1st place
Alan Wintz

A colorful fireworks display illuminates the night sky above a Red Bull Air Race pylon, with silhouetted spectators in the foreground.

2nd place
Shannon Troy Fields

A Canon hot air balloon at night with fireworks in the sky, surrounded by a crowd of people enjoying the event.

3rd place
Vivek Dandyan

Vibrant fireworks burst in the night sky over a silhouetted crowd, with colorful tents and bright lights illuminating the background scene.

Thank you to our photo contest judges!

Paul D deBerjeois – Paul D deBerjeois is recognized as one of the world’s leading balloon photographers. He served as an official photographer for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta for seven years. He is the staff photographer for the Balloon Federation of America and he photographs many of the most scenic balloon rallies and events across the USA. Paul has been a full time professional photographer since 2008.

Michael Cacioppo Belantara – Michael is an audiovisual artist, sound designer and technical specialist with a wide range of professional experience in the sonic and visual arts. His expertise in audio and video post production is notable through his work with the European Broadcasting Union during 6 Olympic Games and 2 World Alpine Ski Championships. An Avid, Apple and Adobe certified instructor, he is currently the Post Production Supervisor and Adjunct Professor for the Columbia University Graduate Film Program and is a member of the sonic art collective Kinokophone.

Toni Paulson – Born into a family of balloonists, Toni has been around hot air balloons her entire life and had the opportunity to fly in hot air balloons since she was a young child. Toni has been attending the Albuquerque International Balloon Festival with her mother Cindy Petrehn since the early 90’s and has continued the family tradition with her husband and children today.

Both Michael and Toni are thrilled to help their mother’s legacy live on with the Cindy Petrehn Memorial Photo Contest Presented By Canon.

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