Pure Michigan Moments Photo Contest Winners Announced

Spring – Suellen Gause, Dowagiac, Mich.: Rocky Gap County Park in Benton Harbor, overlooking Lake Michigan. Gause took her photo on a spring day last May after shopping with a friend in Benton Harbor. “It was one of those days when the sun was bright, the sky was blue and the lake was gorgeous,” Gause said. “The power and majesty of ‘the big lake’ fascinates me, yet I always find a sense of tranquility and peace there.” 

Summer – Evans Tasiopoulis, Saint Clair Shores, Mich.: James Scott Memorial Fountain on Belle Isle in Detroit. Tasiopoulis captured the 90-year-old fountain after sunset the week before Labor Day. “When all lit up, to me the fountain becomes a living and breathing entity,” Tasiopoulis said. “I always find myself drawn in to spend a little time listening to all of its stories.”  

Fall – KristyRatcliffe, Flat Rock, Mich.: Lower Falls at Tahquamenon Falls StatePark. Ratcliffe shot her winning photograph in early October this year while visiting the falls with her husband Joe, daughter Lindsay and friend Danielle. "My photo is important to me because it reminds me to appreciate all of the natural beauty in this amazing state," Ratcliffe said. "I felt so peaceful, yet amazed by the brilliant colors and beautiful, natural waterfalls.  

Winter – Brenda Martin, Ortonville, Mich.: Eagle Harbor Lighthouse. Martin snapped her photo over Thanksgiving weekend in 2014 on a trip with her husband Gary and son Bill. “We had been to Eagle Harbor the day before, but, on this day, the sky, the snow, Lake Superior, and the Lighthouse, just looked especially beautiful to me and I made my husband stop here again, for, ‘just a couple shots,’” Martin said. “Everyone should take the time to ‘feel the moment’ and where else to do it but Pure Michigan!”

“We had a huge response to this year’s photo contest, with photos ranging from awe-inspiring grandeur to unique perspectives and heart-warming moments,” said Dave Lorenz, Vice President of Travel Michigan, part of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. “Our four winning photographs highlight Michigan’s seasonality, our variety of settings – from natural to urban – and evoke the emotions that inspire travelers to seek out those places that can only be experienced in Pure Michigan.”

The photo contest encouraged the public to enter their favorite Michigan moments from spring, summer, winter and fall, with the complete gallery of photos available at michigan.org/photocontest. This year, 8,924 photos were submitted – more than double the previous year – with 113,021 votes cast during the public voting period.

The winning photos will be featured in the spring/summer, fall and winter travel guides which are available on michigan.org and at the 14 Michigan Welcome Centers across the state. The guides are also available as free, universally accessible digital editions.

Pure Michigan is a brand representing business, talent and tourism initiatives across Michigan. These efforts are driven by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which serves as the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business growth, jobs and opportunity with a focus on helping grow Michigan’s economy.

For more on the MEDC and its initiatives, visit: michiganbusiness.org. For Michigan travel news, updates and information, visit michigan.org.

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