As the winner of the 2016 National Sunset Print Award, Peoria, Ill.-based photographer Christie Newell won a trip to the Lido Beach Resort and a $500 Visa gift card. She swung by LexJet’s headquarters last Friday for a quick visit and tour before enjoying her mini-vacation on Lido Key.

Newell took first place for her image, “Old Faithful,” a portrait of a client’s dog, named Tilly, an Aussie Doodle. The photo beat out 25 other finalists from around the country.

“I was very surprised that it won,” Newell says. “I knew a lot of the other photographers who were in the running, and their work is top-notch. It was very exciting.”

The judges were instantly transfixed by Newell’s image. “It’s technically flawless,” the judges commented.

Newell explained that Tilly’s unflappable personality came through on the sea of reds and golds behind her. When asked why she thought the image caught the judges attention, she said it was due to the dog’s unique look and using the right background colors to complement the dog.

“Color harmony is one of the elements the judges take into play,” she says. “Presentation was another thing. A lot of people who enter print competitions don’t utilize that element to the fullest. The overall presentation was a little bit above and beyond what is typically put in. I think it just all worked together.”

Heading out to Lido Key, Newell and her husband, Rich, were looking forward to some time off. “We both need to just unplug from life and work and everything. We’re just relaxing,” she says.