Young Photographer Wins Alabama Road Trip Photo Contest
Lucas Garrard, a 14-year-old freshman at Enterprise High School, discovered the Alabama Black Belt Adventure Association’s 2025 Road Trip Photo Contest through a local Dothan TV station. Excited about the opportunity, he grabbed his camera and headed to his sister’s travel softball tournament at Lagoon Park in Montgomery.
“I saw two of her teammates walking towards the field,” Garrard recalled. “It was a great photo, so I took it.” It turned out he wasn’t the only one who appreciated the shot.
His photo garnered the most online votes, securing him the title of winner in the contest, along with a $100 gift card. “I’m honored that I won,” he expressed.
Other notable achievements included:
- 2nd place: Shelby Favre York, a resident of Selma, who captured her son Tripp at Prairie Creek Campground in Lowndes County.
- 3rd place: Barbara Sims, who submitted a charming photo of her 8-year-old grandson, Jesse Holly, blowing bubbles in Connecou County.
York received a $50 gift card, while Sims was awarded a gift basket filled with items themed around the Alabama Black Belt.
“We are extremely grateful to everyone who submitted their photos and to everyone who voted for this year’s photography contest,” said Pam Swanner, director of the Alabama Black Belt Adventure Association. “The contest aims to showcase the diverse experiences available in Alabama’s Black Belt, and it’s especially gratifying to see a young photographer win while capturing moments from his family outings.”
In addition, the association recently announced a new Best Fish Photo Contest, which will run until September 30th. Participants can submit photos of fish caught in the Black Belt throughout 2025. All entries must be submitted through the Alabama Black Belt Adventures website, with winners determined by online voting.
The Black Belt region encompasses 23 counties: Barber, Brock, Butler, Choctaw, Clark, Connek, Crenshaw, Dallas, Green, Hale, Lee, Roundes, Mekong, Marengo, Monroe, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, Pike, Russell, Sumter, Tuskaloosa, and Wilcox.
