Caught on camera
See through the lens of local photographers
Aphoto can express things we can’t. No matter how many attempts at description, you just have to be there to see certain things. Luckily, a camera and the right photographer can help show others the moments they miss.
Central Coast photographers share the moments they experienced and want others to see as part of our annual Winning Images contest. Since 1994, New
JUDGES
Times Media Group has asked for those images. This year, local photogs submitted 374 photos into the contest and our judges narrowed them down to three winners in eight categories, plus honorable mentions. Every entry also came in with a $10 fee, which was rolled back into prize money for the winners, who also receive awards from the contest’s sponsors. The winning photographs will be on display at The Photo
WINNING IMAGES 2026
Shop (1027 Marsh St., SLO) through July 12 and at the SLO Botanical Garden (3450 Dairy Creek Road, SLO) from July 13 to Aug. 2.
Check out the winners from 2026 on the following pages. ∆
Contact Editor Camillia Lanham at clanham@ newtimesslo.com.
San Luis Obispo native and perennial Winning Images judge Peggy Mesler is a photographer and the owner of The Photo Shop in SLO, where she shares her appreciation for—and knowledge of—photography with customers, clients, and friends. Peggy earned a journalism degree from Cal Poly, and she opened her shop in 1995.
Marta Peluso has been involved in the arts on the Central Coast for four decades. She taught photography in the art departments at Cal Poly and at Cuesta College and directed the Cuesta College Art Gallery for 16 years. She also served for five and half years as executive director of ARTS Obispo, the San Luis Obispo County Arts Council. She is an exhibiting photographer who is currently writing a memoir centered on the life of her sister Patti, replete with photographs and titled You Still Got Me.
Dean Sullivan is the owner of Sullivan Studios and owner/ publisher of the Estero Bay News. Dean photographed his first wedding in 1978 and has been capturing weddings, special events, and commercial assignments ever since. An award-winning professional photographer, Dean was certified through the Professional Photographers of America for years. He’s worked with clients that include California State Parks, Cal Poly, the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce, and the San Luis Obispo Symphony. Dean is also a licensed FAA drone pilot, providing aerial imaging services for both commercial and editorial projects.
PHOTO COURTESY OF DEAN SULLIVAN
PHOTO COURTESY OF PEGGY MESLER
PHOTO COURTESY OF MARTA PELUSO
DAVID LAWRENCE , First Place, Animals, Accipiter’s Focus
RICHARD JACKOWAY, Third Place, Landscape/Seascape, Morning Jog
HOLLY ANGELOTY, Second Place, Landscape/Seascape, Shimmer
MARLIN HARMS , Honorable Mention, Animals, Octopus All The Better To Hold On
GALE OWEN , Honorable Mention, Landscape/Seascape, Reflections
DAVID LAWRENCE , Third Place, Animals, Coy Courtship Consideration
DAVID LAWRENCE , Second Place, Animals, Splashy Pelican Shot
BOB CANEPA , First Place, Flora, Still Standing
KATHLEEN BOSCH , Third Place, Flora, Chocolate Lily Bowing in the Irish Hills
MIMI DITCHIE , Honorable Mention, Flora, Back Of A Fern
MIMI DITCHIE , Second Place, Flora, Apple Blossoms In See Canyon
ANDY SAMARASENA , First Place, In Motion, Gravity Defied
WAYNE ANGELOTY, Second Place, In Motion, Shuffling Egret - Circles of Currents
DAVID LAWRENCE , Honorable Mention, In Motion, Tern Takeoff
JONATHAN SHAPIRO, First Place, Landscape/Seascape, Cayucos Coastal View
TIM BRYAN , Third Place, In Motion, Kiteboarder
RICHARD JACKOWAY, First Place, Open, Neon Rain
DAVID WILLETT, Third Place, Open, Cambria Scarecrow
JONATHAN SHAPIRO, Second Place, Open, Colorful Droplets
JIM JEFFREY, Honorable Mention, Open, Clearing Storm
ANDY SAMARASENA , Second Place, Travel, Pier Perspective
MALLORY CUSHING , First Place, Youth, Before the Dust Settles
ANDY SAMARASENA , First Place, People, Framed by Light
DAVID WILLETT, Second Place, People, Day of the Dead Mission Plaza
DAVID DAWSON , Honorable Mention, People, A Favorite Café For Breakfast
TIM BRYAN , Third Place, People, Searching For Steven
WINNING IMAGES 2026
TAYLOR THRELKELD, Honorable Mention, Youth, Thor’s Hammer
MALLORY CUSHING , Third Place, Youth, Figure 8
ANDY SAMARASENA , Third Place, Travel, Belly Up in the Bush
DAVID DAWSON , Honorable Mention, Travel, Ship at Sea
JONATHAN SHAPIRO, First Place, Travel, Recortes Forward Dive