National Sunset Print Award Winner Christie Newell Visits Sarasota

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.”