The winners of the 2011 Society of American Travel Writers‘ Central States Writing and Photography Contest have been announced and Elbee Studio’s Laura Watilo Blake took home five awards, including “Photographer of the Year.”

According to organizer Kelly Earnest, the contest had “a record 399 entries, including 147 writing submissions and 252 photography submissions.” The judges were Dr. Thomas Hrach and Ashley Wiselock from the University of Memphis’ Department of Journalism and Michael McMullen, photo editor for the Memphis Commercial Appeal.

The five winning entries were:
“Rental Sweet Rental” for Lake Erie Living
First Place Writing / Best Travel How-To or Consumer Reporting Article

“Gila Camp”
First Place Photography / Places and Scenery Category and overall winner (shown at top)

“Peanut Lady”
First Place Photography / People Category

“Hooping it Up”
Second Place Photography / Action Category

Take a look at this YouTube video, which showcases all the contest entries this yea:

I love the old freight elevator in Cleveland’s ArtCraft Building.

I love that the elevator operator’s shirt matched the red walls.

I love the fact that there are still people employed as elevator operators in an age where automation is the rule.

“It’s my second day on the job,” he told me. Only day two, and the guy had already seen plenty of action. The day before, a photographer with a studio in the building photographed a musician and her cello in the elevator. He didn’t bat an eye when I asked if I could photograph him.

I was there to shoot another assignment, but I couldn’t pass this up, because this slice of Americana could be gone tomorrow.