Rose Hills cemetery launches photo contest

WHITTIER -- Rose Hills Memorial Park is hosting its first-ever photography contest, a competition open to amateurs, photography enthusiasts and professionals alike. The contest, entitled "Forever in Focus," features three categories: "Memorial Beauty,"  emphasizing the grandeur and diversity within the 100-year-old cemetery's setting; “Celebration of Culture,” with a focus on the many unique cultural aspects of Rose Hills, from the Buddhist Columbarium to the Japanese Garden to the Orthodox Greek Church and more; and "The Creative Eye," that allows photographers greater creative freedom to manipulate their digital photos or express themselves more abstractly.

The contest officially got underway April 1. The last day for submissions is May 31, and judging will occur in June. There is a $15 fee per entry.

"Rose Hills is North America’s largest memorial park, with the widest range of one-of-a-kind features, giving artists and photographers so much to work with,” said Rose Hills Director of Marketing, Nick Clark. “People are constantly taking pictures here and posting them to Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, so it only made sense to organize an official contest where these images can be exhibited and the best photographs can be rewarded.”

Rules and details are posted online at RoseHillsPhotos.com and on the cemetery's Facebook page. Photo entries must be submitted both by mail (mounted prints) and electronically via the cemetery's Facebook page or contest website.

Judging will be by online votes plus a public viewing/voting event in early June, combined with the votes of a juried panel of photography experts.

Each category will have four winners. The first place prize entry in each category will win $1,500, the second place prize entry will win $500, third place earns $250 and the fourth place prize is $100.

According to Clark, the 12 winning photographs, along with a selection of other noteworthy entries, will be exhibited at Rose Hills and other venues throughout Southern California once the contest has ended.

"Over the past 100-plus years, there have been so many incredible features that have come to grace our property, from beautiful historic mausoleums to magnificent works of art to our amazing SkyRose Chapel that’s been featured in numerous movies and TV series, ” added Clark. “I think all who come out to capture Rose Hills with their cameras will see something to excite their artistic sensibilities."

For more details, go to RoseHillsPhotos.com or email info@RoseHillsPhotos.com.