Oro Valley Photography Competition
Capturing Community
Photography Celebrates Life in Oro Valley
In 2021, the Town of Oro Valley and the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA) launched the inaugural Oro Valley Community Photography Competition—a project designed to frame the community through the eyes of the people who call it home. The initiative invited residents to capture the essence of Oro Valley: its sweeping desert landscapes, its thriving wildlife and botanicals, its architecture and recreation, and the daily rhythms that make life here unique.
The competition became more than just an artistic showcase—it was a collective act of storytelling. Each submitted photograph revealed a personal perspective, from backyard pollinator gardens alive with color to candid moments of celebration and connection. Together, the images painted a rich portrait of Oro Valley’s identity, offering a fresh lens on the people, places, and traditions that make the community so vibrant.
By turning cameras toward their homes, neighbors, and natural surroundings, participants helped weave a visual narrative that both celebrates Oro Valley’s beauty and strengthens its sense of place. The program underscored how art—in this case, photography—can invite us to rediscover familiar spaces, see our town with renewed appreciation, and build a shared visual legacy for future generations.
The competition will return in 2027.
2023 Competition Winners
In 2023, the Oro Valley Photography Competition welcomed 354 photo submissions from 78 photographers, reflecting the landscapes, people, and community life of the region. From stunning mountain vistas to joyful celebrations and candid moments, photographers captured the essence of Oro Valley across diverse categories. Winning works were awarded more than $2,800 in prizes, celebrated online, and exhibited locally for the community.
Animals & Wildlife
Animals and wildlife make up the majority and focal part of the image.
1ST PLACE – That Windblown Look – Peggy Steffens
2ND PLACE – Owl At Sunset – Paul Livingston
3RD PLACE – Dove Heart – Steve Prull
HONORABLE MENTION – dove traumatized by monsoon – Brian McElwain
HONORABLE MENTION – HE’S BACK! – Gregg Robinson
HONORABLE MENTION – Boredom – Alan Oppenheimer
HONORABLE MENTION – Tasty Lunch – Kevin M. Arnold
HONORABLE MENTION – Red-tail Portrait – John Ashley
People
People should make up the focal part of the photography piece (Events, Everyday Life, Celebrations, Holidays in Oro Valley).
1ST PLACE – Gotcha! – Gregg Robinson
2ND PLACE – Sugar Skulls on Parade – Peggy Steffens
3RD PLACE – Festival Dance – Paul Livingston
HONORABLE MENTION – Young Cowboy – Gregg Robinson
HONORABLE MENTION – Hugging Ghosts – Alan Oppenheimer
HONORABLE MENTION – Puppy Love – David Slater
HONORABLE MENTION – La Fiesta Parade – William Walsh
HONORABLE MENTION – Abuelo – Maria T. Rivera
Places & Nature
Outdoor or indoor landscapes, townscapes, natural vistas, or architectural subjects, including plants, outdoor landscapes, and Oro Valley landmarks.
1ST PLACE – Catalina Sunset – Rhonda Royse
2ND PLACE – Catalina At Night – Rhonda Royse
3RD PLACE – Monsoon Sunset – Brian McElwain
HONORABLE MENTION – Out to Pasture – Dianne Slotten
HONORABLE MENTION – Sunset Storm over the Catalina Mountains – Steve Prull
HONORABLE MENTION – Light and Shadow – Robert Terry
HONORABLE MENTION – Pink Moon Over the Catalinas – Debbie Jones
HONORABLE MENTION – After the Storm – Alan Oppenheimer
Youth Photographers
Entrants under the age of 18 capturing their unique perspectives on Oro Valley.
1ST PLACE – Blooming Century Plant – Ava Thompson
2ND PLACE – Oro Valley Skatepark – Ava Thompson
3RD PLACE – School Spirit Parade – Ethan Perez
HONORABLE MENTION – Sunset Over the Hills – Mia Johnson
HONORABLE MENTION – Desert Bloom – Noah Ramirez
HONORABLE MENTION – Playground Shadows – Sophia Martinez
HONORABLE MENTION – Young Rider – Liam Davis
2023 Competition Entries
2022 Competition Winners
In 2022, the second annual Oro Valley Photography Competition invited 292 submissions from 75 photographers, awarding over $2,800 in prizes. Expanded categories provided inspiration for photographers to capture the beauty, people, and community of Oro Valley. Winning works were celebrated online and exhibited locally for residents and visitors to enjoy.
Animals & Wildlife
Animals and wildlife make up the majority and focal part of the image.
1ST PLACE – Purple Feather Splendor – Melissa Harnish
2ND PLACE – It’s In His Nature – Dianne S Slotten
3RD PLACE – Crematogaster ants tending to Tachardiella fulgens lac insects on Coursetia glandulosa – John Amato
HONORABLE MENTION – Have at Thee – Charlie Alolkoy
HONORABLE MENTION – Get a Grip on it – Kevin Corr
HONORABLE MENTION – Sandhill Cranes Liftoff – Robert Terry
HONORABLE MENTION – Red Tail Hawk Fluffing Feathers – Tom Hines
HONORABLE MENTION – Red Tail Hawk With Wings Spread – Tom Hines
People
People should make up the focal part of the photography piece (Events, Everyday Life, Celebrations, Holidays in Oro Valley).
1ST PLACE – The Flower Vendor – Robert Terry
2ND PLACE – Dia de los Muertos – Peggy Steffens
3RD PLACE – The Young Performer – Paul Livingston
HONORABLE MENTION – The Good Life – Alan Oppenheimer
HONORABLE MENTION – Rancher at the Fiesta de los Vaqueros – Bill Schaefer
HONORABLE MENTION – Parade Time – Dianne Slotten
HONORABLE MENTION – Street Musician – Kevin Arnold
HONORABLE MENTION – Tuscon Rodeo Parade – Bill Schaefer
Places & Nature
Outdoor or indoor landscapes, townscapes, natural vistas, or architectural subjects.
1ST PLACE – The Heavens Above – Alan Oppenheimer
2ND PLACE – Desert Storm – Rhonda Royse
3RD PLACE – Sunset Over Pusch Ridge – Dianne Slotten
HONORABLE MENTION – Monsoon Over Oro Valley – Robert Terry
HONORABLE MENTION – Cloudburst – Alan Oppenheimer
HONORABLE MENTION – Cactus Bloom at Dusk – Peggy Steffens
HONORABLE MENTION – Tucson Sunset – Maria Rivera
HONORABLE MENTION – Skyline View – John Amato
2022 Competition Entries
2021 Competition Winners
In 2021, the inaugural Oro Valley Photography Competition welcomed 321 submissions from 73 photographers, capturing the landscapes, wildlife, and daily life of Oro Valley. The contest celebrated the diverse creativity of the community and awarded prizes for outstanding work, with winning photographs featured online and displayed locally.
Overall Winners
GRAND PRIZE – Sundown at Sutherland Trail – Danilo Faria
1ST PLACE – Tall & Handsome – Danilo Faria
2ND PLACE – Cooper’s Hawk Among the Blossoms – James Capo
2ND PLACE – Bringing Breakfast for the Kids – James Capo
3RD PLACE – Bowl of Fire – Caymin Hannan
1ST PLACE – YOUTH CATEGORY – Sun Setting – April Tinoco
Honorable Mentions
Wipismal on Agave Nest – John Amato
Flowing Water – John Amato
Monsoon Lightning Over Pusch Ridge – Dominic AZ Bonuccelli
Bobcat! – James Capo
Hummingbird at Rest – Kevin Corr
Desert Showdown: Monsoon Strikes – Danilo Faria
Golden Wasp in Fiery Light – Joan Fox
Embers Below Pusch Peak – Caymin Hannan
First Aerial View: Honeybee Park – Paul Livingston
Out of Africa Wildlife Park – Alan Oppenheimer
Prickly Pear Bloom – Peggy Steffens
