The Cortland Foundation is delighted to announce the opening of its annual Photography Contest, inviting photographers to submit their work. The theme for the 2025 contest is “Highlands Unfiltered.”

This year's contest will be judged by Perry Bennett, a seasoned photographer based in Charleston, WV. His versatile portfolio reflects a deep passion for storytelling through imagery, making him an ideal judge for this year's theme.

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Contest submissions will open June 30, 2025 online: http://blackwater.cortlandacres.org/ 

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​Bennett is a West Virginian by choice, moving from just north of Atlanta, Georgia to Charleston at the end of 2013. Graduating from Kennesaw State University in 2006, he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in drawing and painting, while learning the fundamentals of photography on black & white 35mm film. Although he has gained national notoriety photographing motorsports and has had photos published in the pages and on the covers of several large motor-sports magazines, Bennett truly loves capturing the natural beauty and the people of the great state of West Virginia.

In 2017, he was a finalist for the photographer position at the US Supreme Court. Locally he is known for his award-winning photos of the State Capitol, the West Virginia Symphony, Charleston Ballet and other major events around Charleston. Bennett currently owns a studio in North Charleston and serves as the Chief Photographer for the West Virginia Legislature. He is a long-time member of the Professional Photographers of America and was recently named the 2025 Photographer of the Year by the Professional Photographers of West Virginia.

Fourteen photographs will be selected by Bennett and transformed into large-scale 45 x 30-inch prints. Additionally, 14 prints will be chosen for a curated gallery. It will be a diverse array of images in various sizes and orientations, showcasing even more regional talent. 

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Bennett states, “as a society, we are all to caught up in our technology and see/experience each other thru the “filters” of social media, both literally and figuratively. I want to encourage participants to take a step back and “remove that filter” to showcase the REAL experience of the Highlands and Appalachia; to celebrate its natural beauty and honest living, untouched ridges, blooming meadows, foggy hollows and cultural remnants of the past, celebrating its heritage all while looking forward and remaining hopeful for the future.”

Dave Johnston, committee member states, “Desired subjects should highlight the beauty and activities found in northern West Virginia and western Maryland highlands and be representative of the people, places and pursuits found in this region.”

Photography submissions will be accepted through June 30, 2025. Notification of selected winners will begin toward the end July. The official unveiling of the exhibition will be held during ARTober Fest at Timberline Resort, Canaan Valley, West Virginia, October 3-5, 2025.

After the yearlong exhibition, all displayed works will be available for purchase, with proceeds benefiting the Cortland Foundation's mission to support essential programs and services.

"We are excited to see the diverse perspectives and stories captured through the lens of talented photographers," said Crystal Boone, Foundation Director. "Together, we can create a gallery of beauty and inspiration that celebrates the human experience, all while supporting the mission of the Cortland Foundation."

The prints from 2024 photography contest winners will be offered for sale during the ARTober Fest. For more information about print purchase or the Cortland Foundation please contact Crystal Boone, Foundation Director at cboone@cortlandacres.org or 681-228-9076. 

​Contest submissions will open June 30, 2025 online: http://blackwater.cortlandacres.org/