Local Photographer Scores “Best of Show” at County Fair

Randie Marlow, a long-time Coastside photographer, took home a Best of Show in Color Photography at this year’s San Mateo County Fair, held in San Mateo this June. Entering 11 images in 12 categories brought her eight ribbons.

"As an artist, you keep doing what you love all the time, but sometimes wonder if you are really an 'artist," said Marlow, a Half Moon Bay resident who also does a lot of work in Pacifica. "Winning awards give me a great sense of confidence and encourages me to go keep on going."

“Hidden Cave,” entered in the Landscape Color Photography Category also won First Place. 

Marlow also won First and Second Place for her entries in San Mateo County’s Silicon Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau’s Publicity Photo Contest.  

First Place photo for the Bayside was: “Afternoon at Filolis.” Second Place for Coastside photo was “White Sail” taken in Princeton-by-the-Sea.

This was Marlow’s first time entering the “Carry the Light” Book Cover contest.  Her entry “Eucalyptus Light” won Second Place, and is featured on the back cover of the Literary Arts Anthology, in its second year of publication. It is available at the Fair and on Amazon.com by the same title.

"I was thrilled to have won second place as that meant that I would be published on the back cover," said Marlow.

She also took home three Honorable Mentions at this year’s fair, one called “Walk On” (Spiritual Category),  another called “Peacock” (Birds Category) and the third photo called “Bernie with Daisies” entered in the Domestic Animals Category. 

"The fair never notifies anyone about their prizes in other categories, so after the ceremony I went to look in the fine arts department to see how my other photo entries had done," said Marlow. "The first piece I saw was displayed at the entrance surrounded by the Best in Show & First Place ribbons. Truly unexpected and exciting. Continued around the room to see all the other prizes, needless to say, it was a great day for me. It is so gratifying to be acknowledged for my art."

Marlow can be reached at 650-455-2663 or images@randiemarlow.com.