Hosted by the Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by 1st Choice Properties, the first annual Mint Hill photo contest seeks to highlight subjects that capture “Our Hometown” of Mint Hill.  Submissions may feature events, people, landscapes, sunsets, nature or any other subject that represents the feel and spirit of Mint Hill. Official photo categories will include celebrations/events, nature/parks/trails, people and streetscapes/town landmarks.

The timing for this first installment of what the Chamber hopes will be a biannual contest offers aspiring photographers the opportunity to capture long-standing annual events like Discover Mint Hill and Mint Hill Madness as well as seasonal moments like graduation ceremonies, flowers in bloom and Fourth of July celebrations.  The time frame for the next photo contest will be set to allow for photographs of Fall and Winter events like the Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament, cornhole tournaments in town, the Pop-Up Christmas Shop, the Mint Hill Senior Living Christmas party and the town tree lighting.

“There are so many things that make our hometown wonderful that individuals and residents see through their own eyes every day, whether it’s a graduation or people or landmarks or just the flowers in their backyard,” says Mint Hill Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Paige McKinney.  “We have many things that make Mint Hill a beautiful place to call home. I want to encourage everyone to capture those images that they experience and submit them for everyone to enjoy.”

Photo entries will be accepted from May 15 through July 5.  The winner will be announced on July 15. The first place winner will receive a cash prize of $350, and second place will receive $150 cash.  All photo entries will be featured in the Chamber’s new office space; the winning images will be showcased in the lobby for a period of time.

McKinney also hopes to use submitted images on social media and print marketing to encourage Mint Hill residents to take advantage of what our town has to offer.  “One of the things I want to do is support living local by showcasing the best of who we are,” says McKinney, who hopes that showcasing all Mint Hill has to offer will also encourage new families and businesses to come to Mint Hill.

Aspiring photographers will find entry forms on the chamber of commerce website: https://www.minthillchamberofcommerce.com/uploads/photo-contest-rules-&-form-1st.docx.  Photos may be emailed to minthillchamberofcommerce@gmail.com or mailed via USB to Mint Hill Chamber of Commerce photo contest – PO Box 23223 Mint Hill, NC 28227.

Contest Rules & Requirements

• A completed and signed entry form must be submitted with each photo.
• All photos must be taken within the Mint Hill area.
• Photos must be submitted digitally via email or on a CD or USB flash drive. Limit of 3 photos per person per category.
• Only hi-resolution photos will be chosen and must not contain a watermark.
• Each entry must be the work of the person submitting the photo. Contest participants under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian signature.
• Photos will be eligible for use on Mint Hill Chambers website, social media outlets and marketing materials.

“We just hope that this event will generate the community spirit and pride that we have in Mint Hill,” says McKinney.  “People see the best of Mint Hill every day through their eyes, and we just want the whole community to see those moments as well.”