Magic Moments
Winter Instagram Challenge
Cold, gray and bleak: It’s winter, so that means we’re all hibernating on the couch re-watching The Office on Netflix, right? Not quite.
In keeping with the theme of our Optimism Issue and championing the good things happening in Delaware, in partnership with Delaware Nature Society (DNS) we’re challenging the amateur and pro photographers among our readers to get outside and capture the beauty of the state in winter. Wildlife, winter walks, snowstorms, backyard scenes, landscapes or the frozen bay—just whip out the trusty smartphone or an actual camera and start capturing the natural wonders The First State has to offer in winter.
Then, from Feb 1-19, share your best shots with the hashtags #OandAwinter and #delnature for a chance to be featured on @outandaboutmagazine’s Instagram. Winning photos will appear in our 30th Anniversary March issue, plus one DNS household membership will be awarded, along with gift cards to Iron Hill and Penn Cinema movie tickets.
We’re looking for originality, high resolution photo quality, and most important, a photograph that conveys why this spot or this scene is special.
The contest is sponsored by Delaware Nature Society. One note: Out & About contributors are not eligible.
About This Month’s Cover
Freelance portrait artist Joe Hoddinott of PhoJoegraphy took this photo of his partner, Jess McIntern, underwater in a pool in August, in the aftermath of an extremely difficult year. Last March, McIntern, who was 28 at the time, was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer. She had to undergo full treatment—chemo, surgery and radiation, in addition to the exhausting round of doctor visits, tests, procedures, and medications to be taken.
The couple had been doing underwater photography since 2012, and McIntern decided she wanted to continue to do so throughout her treatments. Hoddinott says the photography helped “keep some sense of normalcy in our lives and hopefully make art that inspires people at the same time. I wanted to show a beautiful, strong woman who was inspiring.”
Now, thankfully, McIntern is past all her major treatments and on the path to recovery.
“I thought it was important to use her for the cover for October 2017 because it’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” says Hoddinott.
The couple is taking part in an underwater-themed exhibit, “Chiaroscuro,” at the new RH Gallery & Studios (1304 Old Lancaster Pike, Suite D, Hockessin). Opening Friday, Oct. 13, it’s a shared show with several other artists: Rick Hidalgo (resin artist), Kristen Margiotta (illustrator) and Ellen Durkan (blacksmith).
For more, visit phojoegraphy.com.