A little blue heron stands perfectly still, its eyes locked on a tiny froglet just below the waterline. In that split second, Gloucester photographer Joyce Wood pressed the shutter — and captured the grand prize of the Essex Heritage Photo Contest 2025. Her image, “Little Blue Heron and Froglet,” is one of fifteen winning photographs that remind us why this corner of Massachusetts keeps pulling us back with its quiet, wild beauty.
Essex National Heritage Commission (Essex Heritage) announced this year’s winners across four categories, and the results are a love letter to the landscapes, streetscapes, and seascapes that define the Essex National Heritage Area. From Rockport’s morning light to Lynn’s Art Deco architecture, these photographers prove you don’t need to travel far to find something extraordinary.
What Makes the Essex Heritage Photo Contest 2025 Winners Stand Out?
The 2025 contest drew entries from photographers of all skill levels, and the winning images share a common thread: they find the remarkable hiding inside the familiar. Every photograph was taken within the Essex National Heritage Area’s 34 cities and towns during 2025, spanning categories called “Magic Moments,” “Around Town,” “Your Favorite Places,” and a special youth category.
Furthermore, this year’s contest included an Essex County Rev250 Staff Pick, honoring the region’s connection to America’s founding era. Peter Van Demark earned that distinction with “Battle of Bunker Hill Reenactment: Longboats Landing Soldiers,” a powerful image captured in Gloucester that bridges past and present.
Who Won the 2025 Essex Heritage Photography Contest?
The judges selected winners across four categories, each showcasing a different facet of life in Essex County.
In Magic Moments, John Abisamra took first place with “Play Time,” a Gloucester scene that freezes a fleeting instant of joy. Beverly Brennan’s “Welcome Morning” in Rockport earned second place, while Kathy Diamontopoulos claimed third with “Plover Pileup,” shot along the Ipswich shoreline.
The Around Town category celebrated the built environment. Ken Jordan’s striking “Art Deco General Edwards Bridge” in Lynn earned first place, offering a fresh perspective on a landmark many North Shore residents drive past daily. Ann L. Co’s “The Hallway” in Rockport took second, and Carin Macnamara’s “Splinters & Sweat” in Essex rounded out the top three with a gritty, textured look at working life.
For Your Favorite Places, Mark Katz’s “Spotlight” in Marblehead captured first place. Jason Kennedy followed with “Willows Park Sunrise” in Salem, and Elizabeth Walls earned third with “Fisherman’s Memorial Sailing Through the Garden” in Gloucester.
Little Blue Heron with Froglet” by Joyce Wood | Grand Prize, Essex National Heritage Photo Contest
Young Photographers See Essex County Through Fresh Eyes
Additionally, the youth category proved that the next generation of Essex County photographers is already paying close attention. Georgana Cauthers won first place with “Pure Beauty,” taken in Gloucester. Dante Cutietta earned second with “Motorization” in Methuen, and Liam Maguire’s “Photo Bomb” in Topsfield took third — a title that promises exactly the kind of spontaneous fun you’d expect from a young photographer at a county fair.
Meanwhile, the People’s Choice Award went to Rachel Sinclair for “Never-Ending Sunflowers,” a Newbury image that clearly resonated with voters who know the golden fields along the North Shore.
When Is the Essex Heritage Photo Contest Reception?
Here’s the part you don’t want to miss. Essex Heritage is hosting a free public reception on Wednesday, March 11th at 5:30 PM at the Salem Armory Visitor Center (2 New Liberty Street, Salem, MA). The evening will celebrate the talented winners with light refreshments and is open to everyone — no tickets or RSVP required.
After the reception, all fifteen winning images will remain on exhibition at the Salem Armory Visitor Center from March through April. Consequently, if you can’t make the reception, you can still stop by during regular hours to see the full collection.
You can also view the winning photographs on the Essex Heritage website, Instagram and their Facebook page.
Why the Essex Heritage Photo Contest Matters for Our Region
The Essex Heritage Photo Contest is more than a photography competition. It’s a collective act of noticing — an invitation for residents to slow down and really see the places they call home. Specifically, the contest reinforces the mission of the Essex National Heritage Commission, which has worked since 1996 to preserve and celebrate the historic, natural, and cultural resources spanning all 34 cities and towns of Essex County.
This year’s contest was made possible by generous sponsors, including North Shore Bank, DeIulis Brothers Construction, Geller MicroAnalytical Labs, American Tower & Steeple Co., Inc., Groom Construction, Merrimack Valley Planning Commission, The Burke Insurance Agency, and the Rotary Club of Salem.
Prize sponsorships came from Hunt’s Photo & Video, Ipswich River Watershed Association, SEE Shore Photography, The Trustees, and Sea Level Oyster Bar.
These local businesses and organizations understand something important: when we invest in celebrating our region’s beauty, we strengthen the ties that hold our communities together. The Essex Heritage Photo Contest 2025 winners have given us fifteen new reasons to explore, appreciate, and protect the places that make Essex County unlike anywhere else.
“Fisherman’s Memorial Among the Flowers, Gloucester” by Elizabeth Walls | Favorite Places — 3rd Place, Essex National Heritage Photo Contest
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Essex National Heritage Area Essex National Heritage Commission (Essex Heritage) is a non-profit organization managing the Essex National Heritage Area, a federally designated region encompassing 34 cities and towns in Essex County, Massachusetts. Established by Congress in 1996, Essex Heritage is dedicated to preserving and enhancing the area’s rich historical, cultural, and natural resources. Key Features: Manages 34 cities and
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