Bellingham begins accepting entries for annual photo competition

The City of Bellingham is now accepting entries to its annual photography competition.

Amateur and professional photographers of all ages are invited to participate in the "Essence of Bellingham" photo competition, the fifth annual opportunity for people to capture and share images of Bellingham life. The competition is sponsored by the City of Bellingham and the Whatcom Museum.

Winners receive special recognition by Mayor Dan Pike and the Bellingham City Council and have their work on public display, featured on BTV10 and the City Web site and added to the Museum's photo archives.

The deadline for entries is May 15.

"Each year we invite area photographers to share what they believe captures the 'essence' of Bellingham," said Janice Keller, city communcations manager, in a press release from the city. "This is a chance to preserve images of what you think makes Bellingham, with its rich history, spectacular surroundings and vibrant neighborhoods, such an amazing place."

Complete competition details, an online entry form and photographs from past competitions are available on the City of Bellingham Web site at http://www.cob.org/eob/.