Field of Focus

The 2019 Lens on Lakewood Ranch winners prove you don’t have to be a professional photographer to create award-winning photos. The annual contest features the best from amateur shutterbugs, who always capture the essence of the community. This year is no exception, with even more categories to present diverse snapshots of life on the Ranch.

Overall Winner

Starting with film and moving with the industry to digital, the overall contest winner Stan Jernigan has been snapping shots with his Nikon for more than 45 years. But don’t call him a career photographer, and don’t box him into one genre.

“I look at photography like an artist and try to produce an image that speaks to me,” says Jernigan, who took home the prize for best landscape photo. “I truly love being outdoors and look at it as my cathedral and workshop.”

Early in his hobby Jernigan says he even processed his own photos a darkroom. But you won’t find a website for Jernigan’s pictorial works of art.

“I do photography for the pure pleasure and serenity that it provides me.”

Jernigan is a member of the LWR Digital Photography Club, which he says offers support to experienced and beginner photographers. lwrdpc.wildapricot.org.

Lifestyle

First Place: Susan DiVictor

“[The Classic Car Show] is a wonderful chance for people to mingle and chitchat with neighbors and friends. I took this shot of a handsome classic car from my outdoor dining table at a Main Street restaurant while eating with my family.”

Runner Up: John Vilasi

“My wife, Heather, and our daughter, Grace, enjoyed a late morning bike ride. Here, they are just starting out from the Country Club in Lakewood Ranch and going to Starbucks on Lakewood Ranch Main Street. After all, the mocha Frappuccino is calling.”

Runner Up: Ainsley Hunihan

“This moment was captured during the half-time of a sunny-day polo match at the Polo Club. The kids lined up, excited to see the large draft horses as they proudly trotted around the field. The bright-red wagon was pulled closely behind – full of smiling faces.” 

Market

Gordon Silver

“One Wednesday afternoon, I visited the market and noticed the beautiful colors of the giant sunflowers for sale by a vendor. I took aim with my camera and waited for shoppers to arrive at that tent. That moment arrived soon after. Two smiling shoppers were purchasing a half-dozen sunflowers. This was such a colorful happy moment to capture people enjoying life in Lakewood Ranch.”

Nature

First Place: Gordon Silver

“One morning I was out in the area around Del Webb and Country Club East, camera at my side, searching for some wildlife to capture on film. I noticed what appeared to be a nest of some sort up in a palm tree. After closer observation, I noticed two baby owlets in a nest and just a few palm trees away a great horned owl was keeping a watchful eye on them.”

Runner Up: Mark Allen Baker

“Those of us living within Arnold Palmer Green in Country Club, have become familiar with the deer population. Appearing most often at sunrise and sunset, I managed to capture the beauty of one of the young animals that was drinking from the pond behind our home on Palmers Creek Terrace. The half-grown fawn caught me stealing a glimpse, lifted its head and hurried off to its mother.”

Kids

First Place: Robin Rose

“Ruby Hall on her first day of third grade at Gullett Elementary. Ruby and her parents absolutely adore the teachers and staff, and she is looking forward to starting fourth grade.”

Runner Up: John Vilasi

“My daughter, Grace, invited friends Amanda and Allie over. It was a beautiful weekend day, and the three of them went outside after a swim in the pool. Great friends enjoying a walk in the neighborhood is what Lakewood Ranch living is all about.”

Landscape

First Place: Stan Jernigan

“[It] was taken in late afternoon while riding my bike in Country Club Village along Legacy Boulevard. All the elements of the photo just spoke to me. The lake, the clouds, the water reflection, the soft sunlight and the tree all came together to make a great scene. I think it reflects the beauty of LWR living.”

Runner Up: Tatiana Chaput

“James L. Patton Park is a perfect place to walk around the lakes and watch a beautiful sunset as it slowly unfolds in the night.”