Missouri Snapshots Photo Contest

This came from the Association of Missouri Electric Co-ops:

JEFFERSON CITY, MO - Building on the success of the inaugural Missouri Snapshots Photo Contest in 2011, Rural Missouri and Missouri State Parks have teamed up again this year to sponsor the amateur photo contest. Photographers across Missouri will have a chance to showcase their talents and win one of five State Park Getaway Packages each valued at $500.

The contest, which was announced in the magazine's May issue, features five categories for adults and a new category, "Children in Nature," which is reserved for shutterbugs age 12 and younger. In all six categories, a first-, second- and third-place photograph will be selected. The winning entries will be published in the January 2013 issue of Rural Missouri.

"Last year, we were impressed with not only the participation in the contest, but also by the quality of the photographs entered," said Jim McCarty, editor of the 545,000-circulation publication. "Missouri State Parks offer a lot of opportunities for great photography, and we're really excited to see what folks enter this year."

This year's categories include Scenic Missouri, Overnight Adventure, Playing in the Parks, Historic Missouri, Show-Me Wildlife and Children in Nature. All photographs entered must have been taken at one of Missouri's 85 state parks or historic sites. Entries will be judged on sharpness, composition, lighting, creativity and adherence to the category's theme.

"Missouri State Parks is pleased to partner once again with Rural Missouri for this photo contest," said Missouri State Parks Director Bill Bryan. "One of our major efforts has been to reach out to kids, so I'll be very interested in seeing Missouri state parks through the eyes of a child in the new 'Children in Nature' category."

In the categories for adults, each first-place photographer will win a Missouri State Park Getaway Package. Valued at approximately $500 each, the packages include two nights lodging for two, a state park activity and a gift certificate for meals. Second-place winners will win a Missouri State Parks prize package valued at $100. Each third-place photographer will win a $50 Missouri State Parks gift card. For the "Children in Nature" category, the first-, second- and third-place photographers will win prizes valued at $100, $50 and $25, respectively.

The contest is open to amateur photographers only. Deadline to enter is Friday, Nov. 26, 2012. For complete rules, prize details and to download an official entry form, visit www.ruralmissouri.coop. Learn more about Missouri's state parks at www.mostateparks.com.