The 2026 Cape Fear Living Photographer of the Year competition once again attracted an extraordinary caliber of work, making this year's judging process one of the most challenging to date. The number of submissions exceeded our expectations, and the overall standard of photography was nothing short of exceptional. Every photographer selected for this year's exhibition demonstrated remarkable creativity, technical skill, and a unique ability to tell compelling visual stories.

We are delighted to congratulate Sam Blount, our 2026 Cape Fear Living Photographer of the Year. Sam's winning portfolio stood apart for its originality and vision. His breathtaking underwater imagery—captured right here along the Cape Fear coast—offered a perspective unlike anything we had seen before. These photographs revealed an extraordinary world beneath the surface, combining technical mastery with an artistic sensibility that made his selection impossible to overlook. His work reminds us that some of our region's most spectacular landscapes exist where few ever venture, inviting us to experience the Cape Fear coast from an entirely new point of view.

Congratulations also to our Overall Runner-Up, Michael Mosure, whose work continues to impress with its emotional depth and remarkable consistency. Michael possesses a rare ability to create photographs that do more than document a moment—they invite us to feel it. His images are rich with atmosphere, authenticity, and an unmistakable sense of place, revealing the quiet beauty and emotion that often exist in the spaces between moments.

We also recognize the outstanding category winners whose exceptional work distinguished itself among an incredibly competitive field:

• Landscape Photographer of the Year: Patrick Carroll

• Life on Water Photographer of the Year: Josh Keeter

• Portrait Photographer of the Year: Misty Lynn

• Wedding Photographer of the Year: Misty Lynn
   

A special congratulations goes to Misty Lynn, whose remarkable talent earned her two titles: Portrait Photographer of the Year and Wedding Photographer of the Year. Misty has an extraordinary gift for capturing people at their most authentic. Her portraits are expressive and beautifully composed, while her wedding photography is distinguished by a uniquely playful and atmospheric style. She captures not only the beauty of a wedding day, but also the genuine emotion that make each celebration unforgettable. Her images feel effortlessly cinematic and deeply personal.

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To every photographer whose work has been selected for the 2026 Cape Fear Living Photographer of the Year Exhibition, we extend our sincere congratulations. Your submissions challenged, inspired, and moved us, reflecting the extraordinary depth of talent within our creative community. 

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Our panel of jurors—photographer T.J. Drechsel, Cape Fear Living Editor-in-Chief Colleen Thompson, the Cape Fear Living Design Team, guest judge and 2025 Photographer of the Year Chandler Hatch, together with a panel of our valued sponsors—evaluated each submission for composition, creativity, originality, and emotional impact. Ultimately, it was the photographer's unique perspective, artistic vision, and ability to reveal the familiar in unexpected ways that distinguished this year's winners.

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