4th Place: Your Biggest Fan
Erin L. Derhammer, Northampton
Nothing says life in the Valley to Erin Derhammer quite like a night at the ballpark— Coca-Cola Park to be exact. “The Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs have breathed some new life into the Valley, just by giving family, friends and co-workers a great few hours to sit back, relax and enjoy watching America’s greatest pastime right here in our own backyard,” she says.
The subject of the photograph is her daughter, Autumn, demonstrating her love of the game. “She is a huge fan of the Pigs and I think that clearly shows. I love the fact that having a local team can bring such joy into one’s life,” Derhammer says. “I can only hope that in her future in the Valley, she will continue to make memories like this at Coca Cola Park.
5th Place: Winter Birds at Dorney Park
Stephanie Jamiolkowski, Allentown
Stephanie Jamiolkowski was driving by the employee entrance to Dorney Park last March when she spotted a huge flock of birds resting in the water where the swan boats float. “I thought about how many “visitors” the park has in winter, too. I love driving past this area occasionally, because in the summer you can see a real swan swimming in front of the swan boats,” she says.
Though Jamiolkowski works long hours as a pharmacist, she still finds time for her photography hobby. “There is nothing better than to be outside with my camera and capturing images that interest me.”
6th Place: Sunrise in the Valley
Sandi Robb, Alburtis
It was 6:30 in the morning and Sandi Robb was driving down Spinnerstown Road heading to work when she noticed the sunrise. “The colors in the sky looked so warm in contrast with the cold snow on the ground.” That’s when she grabbed her Olympus 830 pocket camera—her camera of choice for quick snapshots—and captured the dramatic scenery she passes each day.
Deciding to enter this photo in the contest was easy for Robb. “I was sure that even if I didn’t win, the money was going to a good cause,” says Robb, a childcare director and part-time special event photographer. “I love being able to capture a moment that will never happen again.”
7th Place: Welcome to the Fair
Stacie McKeever, Allentown
For many, going to the Allentown Fair is an end-of-summer tradition. For Stacie McKeever, it serves as an ideal place to take photos. “There’s so much excitement with all of the lights and sounds, and seeing an ordinary parking lot turn into a fair almost over night is a marvel. I tweaked the color enough to give it that old time feel since the Fair has been around for a century.”
McKeever entered this contest not just to share a photo of a popular event, but to honor the memory of her boyfriend, Matthew Troxell, who passed away of leukemia in 2003. “Because the contest benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, I promised myself to enter every year as a tribute to him,” she says.
