Two Basking Ridge Residents Win in NJ 'Shore' and 'Wildlife' Photo Contest

Two Basking Ridge residents were among the winners of the fourth annual photography contest of scenes from around the state, and were honored by contest sponsor N.J. Assemblyman Jon Bramnick (R-District 21) at a reception in Westfield earlier this month.

Hilary Klimek, a local photographer whose work has been displayed at the township's Farmstead Arts center won an honorable mention in the Jersey Shore Category with her photo, Up, Up & Away.

Meanwhile, in the category for wildlife photography, the staff pick was "Favorite Summertime Shorebird," a photo by Ridge High School junior Rebecca Venetianer. Her entry was titled Seagull Reflection.

Bramnick congratulated the winners, joined by family and friends at the event.  More than 200 photographs were entered in the three categories for this year’s competition: New Jersey Shore, State Parks and Wildlife.

A slide show featuring all of the submitted photographs was shown at the reception and all of the winning photographs were on display. Bramnick thanked photographers for sharing their pictures and said he is looking forward to sponsoring another contest next year.

Certificates were presented to each winner, along with gift cards which were personally provided by the assemblyman, his office said.

Amy Venetianer, Rebecca's mother, said she had entered the contest after reading a Patch story that it would be held. Prior to the contest, Bramnick said he was holding the photo and video contest to