Blackpool Photography Competition

BLACKPOOL – Take a Fresh Look

visitBlackpool, the official tourism department for Blackpool, and Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board, have launched a photography competition titled Blackpool – take a fresh look.

Blackpool is changing – a breathtaking new seafront, world class events, and spectacular lighting shows, while still being home to some of the UK’s best loved attractions – the Pleasure Beach, Blackpool Tower & Circus, Sandcastle Waterpark and the world famous Illuminations, meaning there are plenty of fantastic opportunities to take a competition winning snap.

The competition, sponsored by Jessops, is open to amateur photographers of all ages and capabilities, with a special ‘Youth Zone’ category to accommodate the under 16s.

There are four categories in the competition which are free to enter and participants can enter as many categories as they want. Only under-16s may enter the Youth Zone category. The categories are as follows;

1. The Changing Face of Blackpool –  a picture that sums up the transformation of the resort
2. A Fresh Look at the Hidden Gems – a new picture of an old favourite
3. What’s Going On? – a picture taken at one of the world class events taking place in the resort
4. Youth Zone – a category for the under 16s that shows their passion for the new Blackpool

Participants can enter the competition by taking that perfect snap which captures the essence of the new Blackpool and emailing it to [email protected] where it will be uploaded onto the visitBlackpool Flickr website. E-mailed entries need to include the participant’s name and address, contact details and the name of the category they are entering. Deadline for entries is Friday, July 31^st, with the judges announcing the shortlist on Friday, August 14^th.

With over 10 million visitors to the resort every year, visitBlackpool are looking forward to seeing a flood of entries from holidaymakers keen to capture Blackpool in a new light.

Helen France, Executive Director of Regeneration and Tourism, said “There is so much going on in Blackpool at the moment, from the regeneration of the Talbot Gateway area to the completion of the Spanish steps and events such as out2dance, Blackpool is a paradise for photographers. There is so much to see which is interesting, quirky and photogenic. I’m confident that we will get some stunning entries!”

The competition is supported by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA). Peter Mearns, Executive Director of Marketing and Communications at the NWDA added: “Blackpool is reinventing itself as a 21^st century resort and there are plenty of great picture opportunities out there. We’re looking for an iconic shot of the new face of Blackpool; whether it be of an action-packed event or a new piece of public art, we’re looking for a new take on one of Britain’s oldest seaside resorts.”

A carefully selected panel of judges will choose a winner from each category and all the photos will be exhibited in various venues around Blackpool. The public will be able to go and see the shortlisted images and then vote for their favourite picture. The winners from each category will receive some Jessops vouchers, while the overall winner will receive a digital camera from Jessops and an all expenses paid weekend in Blackpool. The winning picture will be used by visitBlackpool and Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board in future marketing campaigns.

For further information please visit www.visitblackpool.com/photography or www.visitblackpool/competition