San Rafael Photographer Wins Prize in Marin Parks Contest

San Rafael resident Cole Slater was one of three first place winners for a county photo contest.

More than 100 photographers submitted photos for consideration, capturing the everyday beauty of Marin. Slater won first prize in the “Landscapes and Vistas” category for his photo of Pacheco Falls, while Phil Pasquini of Novato claimed the first prize in the Plant and Wildlife” category for his photo of a Bobcat.

Corte Madera resident Reena Rosskopf officially made the leap last month to try and turn her photography from a hobby into a profession.

She’s already got one award-winning photo in the can.

Rosskopf, 35, won the grand prize in the Marin County Parks 40th Anniversary Photo Contest, nabbing an overnight stay at Nick’s Cove & Cottages in the process. Rosskopf’s photo, Summer Evening on Horse Hill, won the first prize in the contest’s “Enjoying Nature” category and was later voted as the top photo overall by voters via Facebook.

“I was shocked and thrilled,” Rosskopf said of wining the grand prize. “To me, it was really special because Horse Hill embodies what Marin is about with the community coming together many years ago to preserve it.”

In addition to Nick's Cove, a number of businesses donated prizes for the top prize winners, including Seawood Photo, Marin Filmworks, Wolf Camera and REI.

Rosskopf has been a nurse for the bulk of her career, most recently conducting training sessions for paramedics at Novato Fire and other first responder agencies. She also volunteers for Canter, an organization that works to rehabilitate and retrain thoroughbred horses after their racing careers are over.

“I absolutely love horses, so I’m really grateful that a photo from Horse Hill won – very special,” she said.

See what else is happening in San Rafael:

1. Italian Street Painting Festival to Return in 2013
2. Woodlands Pet Store Moves In to Western Sports Location
3. Police Arrest Three Day Care Workers in Fatal Infant Asphyxiation
4. Family of 6 Displaced by Canal Apartment Fire
5. Sol Food Owner to Open Downtown Retail Store

"Like" us on Facebook | Follow us Twitter | Get "Patched" in with our newsletter | Start a blog