Sahuarita Photography Competition
See What We See: Sahuarita’s Story in Photographs
For the past four years, the Town of Sahuarita and Art State Arizona have partnered to shine a spotlight on the community through the art of photography. What began in 2023 with Capturing Community, continued in 2024 with Reflections, flourished in 2025 with Everyday Wonders, and expands in 2026 with Desert in Bloom. Each year, the competition has invited photographers—both amateur and professional—to explore Sahuarita’s identity, heritage, and beauty through a lens.
The competition has become a creative tradition, offering residents an opportunity to pause, look closely, and share the stories that make Sahuarita a place of connection and pride. From sweeping desert landscapes and striking plays of light and shadow, to joyful family gatherings and the quiet dedication of our everyday heroes, each photograph adds a new chapter to Sahuarita’s visual narrative.
Through themed categories like Nature’s Inspiration, Heart of Service, Shadows, Light, and Night, and Youth Showcase, the program encourages all ages to participate in shaping how we see and celebrate our community. Winning images receive cash prizes and are exhibited at Town Hall, ensuring that the artistry of Sahuarita’s residents becomes part of the town’s living history.
More than a contest, the Sahuarita Photography Competition is a collective act of placemaking—an annual invitation to rediscover the everyday wonders in our midst and to see our town, and one another, with fresh eyes.
2026 Competition
2026 Desert in Bloom: A Photography Contest in Sahuarita, AZ
ABOUT
The 2026 Sahuarita Photography Competition explores Desert in Bloom—how life takes shape and thrives in the desert. From natural systems and shared spaces to work, creativity, and youth, this year’s competition celebrates the many ways Sahuarita grows, adapts, and comes alive—often in unexpected ways. Whether capturing quiet details or dynamic moments, photographers are invited to share their perspective on life in Sahuarita. Learn more and submit your photos at https://artstateaz.org/sahuarita-photography-competition/
CONTEST DETAILS
Amateur and professional photographers are invited to enter their best images in the fourth annual photography competition in Sahuarita, Arizona. Art State Arizona and the Town of Sahuarita are partnering to encourage creativity and exploration through this special project collaboration. This contest invites participants to capture the landscapes, daily life, people, and stories that make Sahuarita and the surrounding region unique.
Send in your best photos for a chance to win! Winners in each category will receive:
- 1st Place: $200 award check
- 2nd Place: $100 award check
- 3rd Place: $50 award check
EXHIBITION AND RECOGNITION
All winning photos will be featured in a yearlong printed exhibit at Town Hall beginning in June and recognized before the Town Council in the Fall. After the exhibit concludes, winning photographers will be invited to pick up their printed photos. All submitted and winning photos will be showcased on the competition website, and category-winning images may also be featured in local media.
IMPORTANT DATES
📅 Submission period: March 1 – May 22, 2026
⏳ Deadline: May 22, 2026, at 11:59 PM
🏅 Winners announced: Early June via email and social media
CATEGORIES
1. Land, Water & Adaptation
Celebrate the natural systems that shape life in Sahuarita. From desert landscapes and monsoon-fed washes to native plants, wildlife, and agricultural practices, this category highlights how land, water, and living systems adapt to the desert environment. Capture moments of resilience, change, and connection that reveal how life responds to the forces of nature over time.
Photos may include:
- Desert landscapes, washes, soil patterns, rock formations, or monsoon impacts
- Signs of water or drought—arroyos, irrigation, puddles, or cloud formations
- Native plants, wildlife, agriculture, or resilient growth
- Subtle moments of change, survival, or transformation over time
- This category welcomes sweeping landscapes, intimate details, and everything in between.
2. Work of Light
Light is one of the most defining elements of life in the desert. This category invites photographers to explore how light shapes Sahuarita’s landscapes, buildings, and everyday moments. From bold shadows and sharp contrasts to subtle reflections and shifting sunlight, capture how light creates mood, form, and visual drama throughout the town.
Photos may explore:
- Strong shadows, contrast, glare, or reflected light
- Morning, midday, or late-day sun
- Light interacting with buildings, landscapes, or objects
- Dramatic, subtle, or unexpected uses of light
- This category is about noticing how light works—not just when it looks pretty, but when it feels bold, dynamic, or surprising.
3. Night in Sahuarita
After dark, Sahuarita reveals a different side of itself. This category invites photographers to capture the town through nighttime scenes, low light, and evening activity—from glowing streetlights and illuminated buildings to quiet moments under the night sky. Whether using advanced techniques or simple observations, explore how Sahuarita comes alive after sunset.
Photos may include:
- Night skies, stars, moonlight, or long exposures
- Streetlights, illuminated buildings, or evening scenes
- Quiet moments, empty spaces, or subtle nighttime movement
- Creative interpretations of darkness, shadow, and night
- Both technical night photography and simple nighttime observations are welcome.
4. Parks & Public Spaces
Sahuarita’s parks, trails, and town-owned facilities come alive through the people who use them. This category highlights moments of activity, connection, and daily life in shared spaces such as La Villita, Man in the Maze Trail Park, Anza Trail, Anamax Park, and other community gathering places. From sports leagues and playgrounds to casual meetups and quiet routines, capture how residents engage with the public spaces that support community life in a desert setting.
Photos may include:
- Community parks, trails, fields, and recreation areas
- Playgrounds, picnic areas, sports leagues, or group activities
- How people move through, gather in, or relax within public spaces
- Parks shown across seasons or times of day
- Photos should reflect how public spaces support community life within a desert setting.
5. Sahuarita at Work
From storefronts and service to agriculture and industry, this category captures the everyday work that keeps Sahuarita running. Highlight workers in action, tools of the trade, and behind-the-scenes moments that show how businesses and workspaces operate within a desert community. The focus should be on activity, place, and process rather than posed portraits.
Photos may include:
- Local businesses, shops, and storefronts
- Workers in action, tools, equipment, or behind-the-scenes moments
- Construction, farming, retail, service, or trades
- How workspaces exist within the desert environment
- People may appear in photos, but the focus should be on activity, place, and process rather than posed portraits.
6. Youth Photographer Showcase (Under 18)
This category celebrates the creativity and perspectives of Sahuarita’s young photographers. Open to participants under the age of 18, entries may explore any subject matter—from daily life and nature to imaginative or personal stories. Creativity, curiosity, and storytelling are encouraged.
Guidelines:
- Photos must be taken in Sahuarita
- Any subject matter is welcome
- Creativity, curiosity, and storytelling are encouraged
- This category supports young photographers at all skill levels and invites them to share how they see their community.
JUDGING & PRIZES
Photos will be evaluated based on technical quality, composition, creativity, and alignment with the contest theme. Winning images will stand out not only for their clarity and craftsmanship, but also for their ability to capture compelling moments that reflect Sahuarita’s character and sense of place.
What Makes a Winning Photo? A great photograph goes beyond sharp focus and balanced composition—it tells a story. Judges will look for images that combine technical excellence with originality, artistic impact, and a thoughtful point of view.
A panel of professional artists, photographers, and editorial experts will evaluate entries. Winners will be officially announced in June 2026. Winning photographs may be published in Art State Arizona’s online newsletter, displayed on the Art State Arizona website, and shared through Art State Arizona and Town of Sahuarita social media channels. Other contest photographs may also be featured in Art State Arizona publications and/or Sahuarita Parks, Recreation, and Community Services materials.
PHOTO COMPETITION RULES
- Submit photos and entry form online
- Maximum image size: 4MB; total submission may not exceed 25MB
- Maximum of 10 images per photographer; up to 7 images per category
- All photographs must be taken in the Town of Sahuarita
- Photographers do not need to live or work in Sahuarita
- Photographers of all ages are welcome
- Photos may be taken at any point in time
- Accepted formats: high-quality .jpg or .png
- Drone photography is accepted
- Entries must include complete and accurate information
- Photos should accurately reflect the scene as it appeared
- Photographer is responsible for obtaining releases for identifiable individuals depicted
- Images must be submitted without watermarks
- Photos previously awarded a prize in this competition may not be re-submitted
PHOTOGRAPHER RIGHTS
Photographers retain full copyright to their submitted photographs. By entering the Sahuarita Photography Competition, participants grant Art State Arizona and the Town of Sahuarita a non-exclusive, worldwide, perpetual, royalty-free license to use submitted photographs for non-commercial purposes. These uses may include publicity, education, community engagement, tourism promotion, and other initiatives that showcase life in Sahuarita.
Permitted uses include (but are not limited to):
- Print & Digital Media – websites, social media, newsletters, brochures, postcards, and magazines
- Public Exhibitions – display in community spaces
- Promotional Materials – non-commercial campaigns highlighting the town and Art State Arizona’s mission
Photographers’ names and general location may be included for credit. All published images will include the caption: © [Photographer’s Name]
LIABILITY & ENTRY DISCLAIMER
Art State Arizona is not responsible for late, lost, damaged, or misdirected entries, or for technical issues affecting submissions. By participating, photographers release and hold harmless Art State Arizona, the Town of Sahuarita, and their respective representatives from any claims related to the use of submitted images.
Questions? Contact Matt@ArtStateAZ.org or by phone at 520-274-2758.
2025 Competition Winners
In 2025, the Sahuarita Photography Contest entered its third year with 306 submissions across six creative categories from 50 residents, youth, and visiting photographers. Nearly half of all entrants were first-time participants, underscoring the contest’s growing appeal throughout Southern Arizona’s creative community. Guided by the theme Everyday Wonders, photographers were invited to capture the extraordinary within the ordinary—scenes of daily life, natural beauty, community spirit, and the people who make Sahuarita unique. 2025 Categories included Nature’s Inspiration, Heart of Service, Joyful Moments, On the Go, Shadows, Light and Night, and Youth Showcase. More than $2,000 in prizes were awarded, with winning photographs published locally, celebrated online, and installed at Town Hall in August.
2025 Winners – Everyday Wonders – Sahuarita Photography Competition
Nature’s Inspiration
Celebrate the beauty of Sahuarita’s natural world. From vibrant plant life and majestic wildlife to serene lakes and desert blooms, capture the moments and details that make nature unforgettable. Let your lens bring Sahuarita’s landscapes to life.
- FIRST PLACE – Bobby Joe Smith: Red in an Ocean of Yellow
- SECOND PLACE – Hollie Mansfield: Black and White Hawk
- THIRD PLACE – Suzette Rosher: Sunrise in the Desert
- Honorable Mention – Hollie Mansfield: Elephant Head Sky Islands
- Honorable Mention – Bobby Joe Smith: Springtime in Sahuarita
- Honorable Mention – Chuck Russell: Spring is Time to Eat the Flowers
- Honorable Mention – Zenia Weiss: Down in the Mist
- Honorable Mention – Aubrey Prestwich: Rancho Skies
Heart of Service
Capture the spirit of those who keep Sahuarita thriving. From teachers shaping young minds to nurses, firefighters, and park staff, showcase the dedication and impact of public service in action. Highlight their stories, their moments, and the heart of their service.
- FIRST PLACE – Michael Corbin: Kid Welder
- SECOND PLACE – Tyler Rushing: English class
- THIRD PLACE – Genesis Villa-Lopez: Grit
- Honorable Mention – Paul Livingston: Police Squad
- Honorable Mention – Erin Ray: A Doctor’s Work
Joyful Moments
Celebrate the smiles and laughter that light up Sahuarita. From kids at play and pets in motion to the excitement of community celebrations, capture the fleeting moments that reflect the joy of life.
- FIRST PLACE – Tyler Rushing: Showcase
- SECOND PLACE – Genesis Villa-Lopez: Felicidades
- THIRD PLACE – Priya Thadigiri: La Bailarina
- Honorable Mention – Tyler Rushing: Blissful Memory
- Honorable Mention – Steve Piepmeier: Community Spirit Mural
- Honorable Mention – Kaela Hancock: The Last Graduate
On the Go
Show us how Sahuarita moves! From cycling and commutes to the thrill of local sports, show the energy and motion that keep our community alive. Let’s see movement through your lens.
- FIRST PLACE – Tyler Rushing: High Step
- SECOND PLACE – Tyler Rushing: Smokescreen
- THIRD PLACE – Patrick Mulligan: Ready, Set, IM Reloaded 2024
- Honorable Mention – Aubrey Prestwich: Eye On The Ball
- Honorable Mention – Sharla Palmer: Sahuarita Spins
- Honorable Mention – Priya Thadigiri: Fanned Wings
Shadows, Light and Night
Explore the dramatic effects of Sahuarita’s light and shadows in its landscapes, buildings, or within the community. How does light shape our town in the daytime, and when the skies go dark?
- FIRST PLACE – Chris Travers: Reach for the Sky
- SECOND PLACE – Christian Morales: I’itoi’s Hand
- THIRD PLACE – Chris Travers: High Moon
- Honorable Mention – Joel T. Ruiz: Evening Sky
- Honorable Mention – Christopher Travers: Point the Way
- Honorable Mention – Aubrey Prestwich: Night Storm
- Honorable Mention – Erin Ray: Teddy
Youth Showcase
Entrant/photographer must be under the age of 18. Photos taken in Sahuarita can reflect any subject matter the entrant wants to submit.
- FIRST PLACE – Joel T. Ruiz: Moon Flower
- SECOND PLACE – Reed Bennon: Teamwork!
- THIRD PLACE – Brooke Bowman: Senioritis
- Honorable Mention – Eliannah Davis: Young Girl in Prayer
- Honorable Mention – Maribel Reyes: Looking into the Future
- Honorable Mention – Nathanael Perez: Catching a Glimpse of Fifteen
2025 Competition Entries
2024 Competition Winners
In 2024, more than 200 photographs taken in the Town of Sahuarita were submitted across six categories by nearly 50 local residents, youth, and visiting photographers of all skill levels. The competition awarded over $2,000 in prizes, with winning photographs installed in Town Hall and shared widely through Town publications. Categories included Life in Sahuarita, Places in Sahuarita, Plants & Wildlife, Portraits of a Community, Digitally Altered Artistic Images, and Youth Photography. Now in its second year, the contest reflected a 30% increase in submissions over its inaugural year and encouraged photographers to consider the Town’s 30th anniversary of incorporation as inspiration for their work.
2024 Winners – Reflections – Sahuarita Photography Competition
Life in Sahuarita
Celebrate everyday moments in our community—from school spirit to local events and the places where memories are made.
- FIRST PLACE – Aubrey Prestwich: Senior Year (Sahuarita High School)
- SECOND PLACE – Erin Ray: Cow Story Time (Mann & Sahuarita Rd)
- THIRD PLACE – Raquel Cook: Fiesta at Blue Hour (Fiesta Sahuarita at Anamax Park)
- Honorable Mention – Aubrey Prestwich: Batter Up (Walden Grove High School)
- Honorable Mention – Aubrey Prestwich: Riding in the Rain (Camino De Las Quintas Road)
- Honorable Mention – Linda Williams: Sahuarita Lake Stroll (Sahuarita Lake)
- Honorable Mention – Erin Ray: Goats, Turkeys and Books! (Sahuarita and Mann Rd)
- Honorable Mention – Tyler Rushing: Sunset Huddle (Sahuarita High School)
- Honorable Mention – Sharla Palmer: A Little Fun and Sunshine (Rancho Sahuarita Water Park)
Places in Sahuarita
Highlight the beauty of our town—from lakes and parks to iconic landmarks and desert scenery.
- FIRST PLACE – Sharla Palmer: Good Day Sahuarita (Sahuarita Lake Park)
- SECOND PLACE – Sandy Ostroff: Chrome Spheres on Pond (Sahuarita Lake Park)
- THIRD PLACE – Steve Piepmeier: Monsoon Sunset (Goldeneye Way)
- Honorable Mention – Tyler Rushing: The Woman Under the Bridge (Sahuarita Road)
- Honorable Mention – Debra Sieloff: Cactus Beauty at Llano Grande Park (Llano Grande Park)
- Honorable Mention – Paul Livingston: Cold War Titan (Titan Missile Museum)
- Honorable Mention – Joseph Retsky: Monsoon (Camino Del Rosal)
- Honorable Mention – Debra Sieloff: Cactus Colors at Llano Grande Park (Llano Grande Park)
Plants & Wildlife
From hummingbirds in flight to desert flora, capture the living wonders of Sahuarita’s natural world.
- FIRST PLACE – Beth Surdut: Eye of the Heron (Sahuarita Lake)
- SECOND PLACE – Kim Holmes: Looking at Lunch (Sahuarita Lake Park)
- THIRD PLACE – Bobby Smith: Fighting Hummers (Calle Playa de Siesta)
- Honorable Mention – Sathavy Weldon: The Gazer (Tierra de Las Flores)
- Honorable Mention – Bobby Smith: Untitled (Tierra de Las Flores)
- Honorable Mention – Brooke Bowman: Inner Beauty (Sahuarita High School)
- Honorable Mention – Diane Marr: Black-Crowned Night Heron (Sahuarita Lake)
- Honorable Mention – Eliannah Davis: The Buzzing Bee (My Home)
Digitally Altered Artistic Images
Artistic interpretations and creative edits that reimagine Sahuarita through a new lens.
- FIRST PLACE – Joseph Retsky: Sahuarita Collage (All Over Sahuarita)
- SECOND PLACE – Dave Bisharat: Sahuarita Festival Mirror (Art on the Lake Festival, Sahuarita Lake Park)
- THIRD PLACE – Aubrey Prestwich: Quarantine with Type 1 Diabetes (W Calleo Paso Suave)
- Honorable Mention – Sandy Ostroff: Pecan Grove (GPS Coordinates)
- Honorable Mention – Nicole Beaver: Summer Days (Sahuarita Flamingo Pool, Rancho Sahuarita)
- Honorable Mention – Alan Medlow: Milky Way Over Sahuarita (La Canada Dr. & Sahuarita Rd)
- Honorable Mention – Mary Beth Livingston: Lydia’s Face (Parque Los Arroyos)
- Honorable Mention – Sathavy Weldon: Enclosed in an Alternate Universe (Tierra de Las Flores)
Youth Photography
Entries from photographers under 18, capturing Sahuarita through their perspective.
- FIRST PLACE – Brooke Bowman: Leaves in the Limelight (Sahuarita High School)
- SECOND PLACE – Genesis Villa-Lopez: Fuegos Artificiales (Calle De La Plaza)
- THIRD PLACE – Brooke Bowman: Angel in the Details (Sahuarita High School)
- Honorable Mention – Tyler Rushing: The Stare (Pecan Groves by North Santa Rita Park)
- Honorable Mention – Tyler Rushing: LDR Woman (Sahuarita High School)
- Honorable Mention – Tanner Palmer: Cars, Sunshine, Sahuarita (Car Show near Quail Creek)
- Honorable Mention – Eliannah Davis: CocoPuff (My House)
Portraits of a Community
Celebrate the faces and people that make Sahuarita home.
- FIRST PLACE – Erin Ray: A Boy and His Goats (Sahuarita Rd)
- SECOND PLACE – Brooke Bowman: Happiest at Home (Wrangler Rd)
- THIRD PLACE – Aubrey Prestwich: Just Like Grandpa (Magee Ranch Rd)
- Honorable Mention – Tyler Rushing: Joy Outside (Rancho Sahuarita North Satellite Park)
- Honorable Mention – Angelica Duran: Golden Hour (Rancho Sahuarita Dog Park)
- Honorable Mention – Paul Livingston: Wheels Up! (Sahuarita Lake Park)
- Honorable Mention – Erin Ray: Young Love (Trail Walk in Sahuarita)
- Honorable Mention – Sathavy Weldon: Clinging to Childhood (Turtle Statues)
2024 Competition Entries
2023 Competition Winners
In 2023, 175 photos taken in the Town of Sahuarita were submitted across the six categories by 30+ amateur and professional photographers. Winners received more than $2,000 in prizes and had their winning photographs printed and displayed in Town Hall. 2023 Categories included: Life in Sahuarita, Places in Sahuarita, Plants & Wildlife, Portraits of a Community, Digitally Altered Artistic Photographic Images, and Youth.
2023 Winners – Capturing Community – Sahuarita Photography Competition
Life in Sahuarita
Photos that reflect what you see and do every day—special events and community celebrations, sports and parades, neighbors out for a walk, and the positive, everyday moments that define life here.
- FIRST PLACE – Alexa Davidson: Firecrackers (Sahuarita Lake)
- SECOND PLACE – Auston Wimberly: Good Friends (S. Camino De Las Quintas)
- THIRD PLACE – Steve Frank: Tucson Bike Race (La Posada Community, Continental Road)
- Honorable Mention – Alexa Davidson: Firecracker (Sahuarita Lake)
- Honorable Mention – Joye Keele: Graduation! (Sahuarita High School Football Stadium)
- Honorable Mention – Desiree Bustos: Father and Son (Rancho Lake)
- Honorable Mention – Wally Towne: Golfer in Sahuarita (Triple Play)
- Honorable Mention – Auston Wimberly: God Bless the Working Man (W. Pinto Rd)
Places in Sahuarita
Neighborhoods, shopping districts, streets, parks, trails and green spaces, businesses, and the built environments where our community gathers—show the places that shape daily life in Sahuarita.
- FIRST PLACE – Auston Wimberly: Lonely Wanderer (The Rock Church of Sahuarita)
- SECOND PLACE – Anjelica Stover: Snow in the Groves (Pecan Groves, Behind Presidio de Las Estrellas)
- THIRD PLACE – Steve Carr: Time for a Swim (Safari Park, Pool Area)
- Honorable Mention – Steve Carr: Tribute to the Past (Titan Missile Museum)
- Honorable Mention – Sylvie Robertshaw: Reflections on Sahuarita Lake (Sahuarita Lake)
- Honorable Mention – Wally Towne: Monet Sky in Sahuarita (La Canada Norte II)
- Honorable Mention – Wally Towne: Orange You Glad You Live in Sahuarita? (La Canada Norte II)
- Honorable Mention – Steve Frank: Pima Open Mine Pit
Plants & Wildlife in Sahuarita
Celebrate the close-up beauty of Sahuarita’s environment and wildlife—birds in motion, desert flora, reptiles, pollinators, and the habitats that sustain them.
- FIRST PLACE – Sathavy Weldon: Roots of Sahuarita (Sahuarita Lake)
- SECOND PLACE – Steve Piepmeier: Zip at Sunset (Quail Creek)
- THIRD PLACE – Joseph Retsky: Great Plains Toad (North Santa Cruz Park)
- Honorable Mention – Chase Coonts: Doe Eyes (Madera Canyon)
- Honorable Mention – Sathavy Weldon: Hummingbird at Rest (Presidio de Las Flores)
- Honorable Mention – Wally Towne: Bursting Saguaro (La Canada Norte II)
- Honorable Mention – Steve Piepmeier: Stretching Wing Ms. Drop-Out Great Horned Owl (Quail Creek)
- Honorable Mention – Wally Towne: Lena the Javelina (S. Placita de Megia)
Portraits of a Community
A creative and dynamic way to capture the essence of Sahuarita’s residents—people of all ages and backgrounds, their stories, and the shared spirit of our town.
- FIRST PLACE – Auston Wimberly: Untitled #4 (Western Sahuarita)
- SECOND PLACE – Steve Piepmeier: San Xavier W:ak Community (San Xavier W:ak Community)
- THIRD PLACE – Sharla Palmer: He Caught One (Sahuarita Lake Park)
- Honorable Mention – Auston Wimberly: Untitled #3 (W. Pinto Rd)
- Honorable Mention – Auston Wimberly: Untitled #5 (Western Sahuarita)
- Honorable Mention – Auston Wimberly: Untitled #6 (Western Sahuarita)
- Honorable Mention – Sharla Palmer: Baseball Twins (Anamax Park)
- Honorable Mention – Julia Macalusa: Before the World Shut Down (Rancho Sahuarita, Anza Wilderness Trail)
Digitally Altered Artistic Photographic Images
More than simple fine-tuning—this category celebrates significant digital transformation. Think oil-paint effects, composite imagery, or dramatic shifts in light and color that reimagine Sahuarita through conceptual artistry.
- FIRST PLACE – Dianne Slotten: Titan Cold War (Concept) (Titan Missile Museum)
- SECOND PLACE – Steve Piepmeier: Spirit Horse Canter (Quail Creek)
- THIRD PLACE – Steve Carr: The Observer (Safari Park)
- Honorable Mention – Dianne Slotten: Titan Cold War Countdown (Concept) (Titan Missile Museum)
- Honorable Mention – Sathavy Weldon: Turtle Cactus (S. Rancho Sahuarita Blvd)
- Honorable Mention – Steve Piepmeier: Sahuarita Monsoon Stallion (Quail Creek)
- Honorable Mention – Steve Carr: Happy Family (Safari Park)
Youth
Entries from photographers under 18, capturing Sahuarita through their perspective.
- FIRST PLACE – Maddox Ingelido: Hummingbird (Calle Libro del Retrato)
