jhPhotography received dozens of entries from area residents who shared what they love about Silver Spring. A random drawing was held Saturday and the results are in!

• Bethany Meissner of Maryland is the first-place winner. She will receive a free photo session of her choice.

• Colleen Moriarty, also of Maryland, is the second place winner. Colleen will receive 50% off of a photo session of her choice.

I want to congratulate the winners and thank everyone who entered the contest. The dozens of responses received are a true testament to just how charmingly beautiful this community really is. Below is a small sampling of what neighbors and friends have to say about Silver Spring. I hope you enjoy these as much as I do!

Late last year I wrote about tips I shared with photography students. The post was pretty popular, so I thought I'd share a few more pointers I've learned along the way.

5. Use diagonal lines
Look for ways to incorporate diagonal lines into your work. Using diagonal, or leading lines, draws the viewer in and creates points of visual interest. Diagonal lines can also be used to create depth, movement, strength, and balance.

6. Practice makes perfect
Mastering any art is a process. It takes time and practice to learn the right skill and find your specific style. Photography is no different. It’s important to get in as much practice as you can.

A trick I’ve found tremendously helpful is to simply go on a walk--and bring your camera along. Take photos of anything that interests you and try using multiple settings on one subject. If you can find a partner or buddy who’s also interested in photography, even better. Use each walk as a learning tool; discuss which angles, settings, light sources you used and why.

These are all examples of photos taken on photo walks. I haven't shared them publicly until now.

7. Be inspired by others
It’s easy to compare your photos, style, and technique to more experienced photographers and come away feeling intimidated or sub-par.

Instead of comparing yourself to others, draw inspiration from photographers you admire. Study their photos for composition, lighting, color, and style. Read their blogs. Ask yourself why you like their photos and try to apply those same techniques to your own work.

Below are some photographer's blogs I read regularly.

They say friends get scattered by the wind, tossed upon the waves and lost for years on end.

Those words may ring true for some relationships, but not the bond I share with a close friend, Kristy. Our friendship has withstood the tests of time and distance. As we grow older, I think it's safe to say we both take joy in each others' successes and life achievements.

Kris and I met in high school and have a special bond formed through a unique experience. We worked together at a mom and pop diner in our hometown called Howard's Pantry. Though Howard's no longer exists in its original form, the relationship Kristy and I have built is stronger than ever.

Kristy herself is a photographer who manages a small, local business in Nebraska much like jhPhotography. Through Whisker Photography, she caters to Nebraska families looking for inexpensive, quality portraits.

We often share tips and tricks with each other, so when she asked me to take portraits of herself with her beloved dog, Blizzy, I jumped at the opportunity to share in a learning experience with a friend.

Kristy is blessed to have space for a studio, a luxury that I don't often get the chance to experience. As we laughed and chatted, remembered old times and new, she let me experiment with backdrops, reflectors and a tripod. I'm pleased with the results, but even more excited about the time we were able to share together.

Of course, after our photo shoot, we indulged in peppery, hand-patted burgers, hand-battered onion rings and green rivers at our old stomping ground.

What do YOU love about Silver Spring?
Share your thoughts and you could win one of two great prizes from jhPhotography!

First Place: A free photo session of your choice (a value of up to $300).
Second Place: 50% off of a photo session of your choice (a value of up to $150).

So often I promote Nebraska on this blog, simply because it is where I'm from. It's home. I find immense beauty and solitude there, and am awed by the landscape, the people and the culture.

As much as I enjoy journeying home, recent revelations in my life have caused me to take pause and  realize that Nebraska isn't the only place that has stolen my heart. I have two homes, and one of them is right here in Silver Spring.

It's been five years since I moved to this area, and I'm not sure I'd want to live anywhere else. Silver Spring is a vibrant, eclectic community full of artists, artisans, activists, families and so much more. We've got old staples like Tastee Diner--a favorite since 1932--and new traditions, including a year-round Farmer's Market.

This is a place where rural meets urban and urban meets suburban. Business ventures collide with recreational opportunities, bringing together the best cultures from every walk of life.

I feel blessed to live here and am so proud to call Silver Spring home.