Budding photographers were recognized at the Andalusia Public Library Friday morning.

Out of the scores of entries from teenagers throughout Covington County, three have been named winners of this year’s APL teen photography contest.

Children’s librarian Caryl Lee Ray said submissions were made throughout the summer months and included entries from across the county.

“We have some very talented children here, as you can see from the winners,” she said. 

This year’s contest winners will hang in the library, she said.

Third place went to Alli Riddle, who faced a bittersweet moment as the competition was her last one.

The Andalusia High School alumna will embark on her college career in the coming weeks as she starts class at LBWCC.

Though, she’s yet to choose a major, she’s looking forward to the new opportunity.

She won third place for a flower that she spotted near her family’s mailbox, and she captured it with water spots.

Photography is one of her “free-time hobbies,” she said.

“I’ve been doing it since I was 10 or 11,” she said. “It gives me an excuse to go outside. It gives people a different view on something.”

Brothers McClaine and Conner Bedingfield, who arrived in Andalusia just six weeks ago, racked up on the second and first place awards, respectively.

Conner, 14, said he was just looking around for something old to take a photo of.

His subject was an old downtown building.

“I was just looking for old stuff,” he said.

The Boy Scout said he earned a merit badge for photography.

In addition, Conner said he enjoys video games, playing football, being outdoors and tractors.

“I’ve liked tractors since I was a little baby,” he said. “I also want to be a fighter pilot when I grow up.”

Conner said Andalusia and St. George, Utah, where he’s from, are very different.

“Everything is slower here,” he said. “There’s no humidity there.”

St. George is a budding community that once resembled Andalusia some 20 years ago.

“I like the outdoors,” he said.

Brother McClaine, who wasn’t able to attend the presentation, wants to be the president when he grows up.

His photograph was a creative take on old cars sitting downtown.

“He just poked his head in there and took the pictures,” Conner said.

Each of the winners was awarded a cash prize and a certificate.