SHTA Opens 2027 Events Calendar Photo Contest for St. Maarten Photographers
Photographers from St. Maarten and overseas have until September 15 to enter the St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association’s (SHTA) 2027 Events Calendar Photo Contest. The winning photograph will be featured in the association’s 2027 calendar, which will also debut a new design after a decade.
The annual competition, supported by main partner CC1, is open to both residents and visitors. Participants are being invited to submit images that reflect St. Maarten’s scenery, cultural identity and artistic character.
How to enter the St. Maarten photo contest
Photographers may submit a maximum of three photographs. All entries must be provided in high resolution and be suitable for use in a printed publication.
Photographs should be submitted by email to events@shta.com no later than September 15.
The competition has become an opportunity for both established photographers and emerging talent to have their work seen by a wider audience. Previous editions have attracted entries from photographers based on the island as well as overseas.
The winning image is selected for its ability to capture an aspect of St. Maarten and contribute to the visual character of the calendar.
A decade of St. Maarten through photography
The SHTA Events Calendar has been published for more than 10 years, documenting the island’s events, creativity and culture while providing a yearly overview for residents and visitors.
The 2027 edition will mark a visual change for the publication, with a new design replacing the format used during the past 10 years. The calendar will continue to focus on the people, places, culture and activities that contribute to St. Maarten’s identity.
The photography contest has also grown in visibility. According to SHTA, its printed editions and digital platforms generated more than 60,000 views during 2026. This gives winning and featured photographers an opportunity to reach audiences both on the island and abroad. Where applicable, photographers can also receive exposure for their company names.
Previous winners have offered different views of the island
The winning photographs from recent years have presented St. Maarten through very different subjects.
Local photographer Mara Bailey won the 2024 competition with an image showing men playing dominoes in front of a mural celebrating the island’s local dialect.
The following year, Husam El Aswad from the Netherlands took the winning spot with a photograph that brought together a historic Fort Amsterdam window and a modern cruise ship.
American photographer Richard Santaga won the 2026 contest with an image of the Black Pearl in Simpson Bay.
SHTA said the artistic quality of submissions has continued to develop as the competition has expanded, with photographers offering increasingly varied interpretations of the island.
What the winner will receive
The photographer selected as the 2027 winner will receive a weekend at Seaview Beach Hotel on the Philipsburg Boardwalk. Additional prizes are expected to be announced.
The hotel has maintained a connection with the arts and is supporting local and visiting creativity through its new Artist-in-Residence programme. Artists from St. Maarten and abroad are welcomed as part of the initiative, with their work incorporated throughout the historic property.
Why the 2027 calendar matters for St. Maarten
For St. Maarten, the contest offers more than a photography opportunity. The calendar provides a way to present the island’s landscapes, culture and creativity to residents and people planning a visit. With thousands of printed copies distributed locally and internationally and tens of thousands of online views, the selected images can become part of how the destination is seen beyond its shores.
Once completed, the 2027 Events Calendar will be distributed across St. Maarten and shared with travel partners overseas.
Events can also be submitted for the 2027 calendar
SHTA is also collecting information from companies, NGOs and Government entities that have events planned for 2027. Organizers can submit their event dates for possible inclusion in the calendar by sending them to events@shta.com by September 15.
Residents of St. Maarten can use the same email address to reserve a free copy of the 2027 Events Calendar.
For photographers, event organizers and residents alike, September 15 is the key date for getting involved with the next edition.
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