Picture perfect Oak Bay might well be a young lad ordering his own ice cream at Willows Beach.
It is for Bruce Morgan of Victoria, who loves to take his grandson exploring in Oak Bay when he comes to visit.
Morgan snapped the winning photo in Oak Bay Tourism’s picture perfect campaign, captured during the Oak Bay Tea Party last summer.
“It was a heat wave that long weekend and my five-year-old grandson had been asking for an ice cream cone. I encouraged him to make the purchase himself and as you can see he was given special attention at the Kiwanis Tea Room. He was so proud of himself after,” Morgan said.
Oak Bay Tourism ran a contest through this past fall and winter asking visitors and locals what their picture perfect Oak Bay looked like to them.
“Our mission behind running the contest was to learn more about what folks found special and unique about Oak Bay that made them want to come visit us year after year,” said Kira Harris, marketing and communications manager with Oak Bay Tourism. “We wanted to discover the emotional attachments folks have made here and we did. It shows in the pictures.”
People could submit a photo capturing a moment or go to the Oak Bay Tourism website and write in.
“Until recently, I never pursued photography seriously,” Morgan said. “As I near my retirement, I have invested some time into becoming a better photographer. I find it rewarding and energizing. Winning this contest is just the incentive I need to keep at it.”
Runner up went to Margaret MacCormack, who says she pretty much lives for photography having won photography contests in Victoria and the province previously. Two of her photos made the final round of the contest. One captured a gentle spring rain on a little orange row boat anchored near Oak Bay marina with sail boats and Mt. Baker in the distance. The second captures the sunset near the marina with a bicycle leaning against the walkway rail.
Visit OakBayTourism.com to learn more about ongoing programs and opportunities.
cvanreeuwyk@oakbaynews.com