COVINGTON, Ky. — An effort by the Covington-Cincinnati Suspension Bridge Committee is highlighting the talents of photographers and the beauty of the historic bridge. The theme of the 2023 photo contest is “FOCUS on the Roebling.” The contest is open to amateurs, young people and those looking to have fun with artificial intelligence (AI).

What You Need To Know

  • The Covington-Cincinnati Suspension Bridge Committee’s Roebling Suspension Bridge Photo Contest is accepting entries

  • The contest runs through July 31, 2023

  • The contest is open to amateurs, young people and those looking to work with AI

  • Public voting then takes place Aug. 15-22 2023

A few years ago, photography started as a hobby for Allison Rotella. In 2019, as an amateur, she won the Covington-Cincinnati Suspension Bridge Committee’s bridge photo contest.

“It was after a giant rainstorm and me laying like flat on the ground putting my camera like in a puddle trying to get the shot and so like it’s a reflection shot which worked out well,” Rotella said.

Rotella is now the vice president of the Covington-Cincinnati Suspension Bridge Committee and helping to play a part in making sure the bridge remains maintained.

“I got involved through the photo contest and kind of stayed involved with it,” she said.

She’s come full circle and helps judge the photo contest. The Loveland, Ohio native is a civil engineer so the photo contest holds a special place in her heart.

“The uniqueness of this as well is that it spans state lines. It spans cities. It literally is the definition of bringing people together,” she said.

Meet NKY helps sponsor the contest and president and CEO, Julie Kirkpatrick, says the bridge means a lot to her and those in the area It holds a lot of history, dating back to the 1800s.

“John Roebling, of course, was the engineer for this bridge. It is the prototype of the Brooklyn bridge. One little thing not known is that Mr. Roebling actually passed away before the bridge was completed and his niece Emily completed his design,” she said.

Having people get in on the fun of the contest allows them to embrace the history, the present and potentially play a role in its future. That’s what keeps Rotella involved with the committee.

“We’re a part of history. We really are. We’re part of keeping that history beautiful for the next 150 years, you know,” Rotella said.

The photo contest runs through July 31, 2023 and public voting will take place Aug. 14-22.