Mary Nevins Takes 2nd Place in Floral Park Photo Contest

October 14, 2008

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From an anniversary gift to a prize ribbon, Director of Academic Planning Mary Nevins has turned her new camera into a hobby. And she's making money from her work.

Mary's husband, Robert Costa, purchased her a camera (Kodak body, German lens) in May 2007, and Mary soon began photographing animals, flowers and many other subjects, especially in the northern Catskills, where she and her husband own a home on 20 acres.

This year, the town in which she lives, Floral Park, sponsored a photo contest as part of its 100th Centennial celebration. The contest included categories for children and an "open" category for others. Mary submitted four photos, and her shot of a rose (below) won 2nd place.

"I'm very excited," Mary said in an interview. "This was the first time I've entered my photos. And I would never have done it if my husband hadn't inspired me!" She said she plans now to enter more photo contests. Mary's photos are also on display at her physician's office and in a retreat home in Jamaica Estates, where they are also sold.

And this is only the latest in a recent spate of accomplishments. Mary earned her master's of public administration (Urban Studies) degree from Queens College this past May.

Among other subjects in Mary's photo portfolio: hummingbirds feeding from honeysuckle plants, deer grazing on her Upstate lawn, chipmunks with full cheeks, rabbits and even elk. She also takes photos of the mountains in all seasons, trying to train her camera on the exact same spot for each image. "I love the wildflowers and the trees," she added. "Even though I grew up Downstate, I spent many summers upstate as a child and teen and hope one day to retire up there."

With her camera, of course.