REFLECTIVE PHOTO CAPTURES KINSA AWARD AT THE MALL

A photograph by Brandy Harp of Villa Ridge, Ill., of a little girl leaning against a mirror earned the "People's Choice" award in this year's KINSA contest.

Harp's photo was selected from the 1,100 entries in the Southeast Missourian's annual KINSA photo contest. People viewing photos at the West Park Mall earlier this month had an opportunity to vote for their favorites. Harp's photograph received the most votes.

The "People's Choice" photo shows 6-year-old Jessi Tucker of Villa Ridge leaning against the mirror. She is the daughter of Tabatha Whitley. Her reflection is shown in the photo.

"She is the daughter of a friend of ours who comes over all the time," said Harp. "Her mom said she'd like to have some pictures of her in the pageant dress."

Harp obliged. She took an assortment of photographs of the little girl, then suggested one against a mirror.

"She was sitting in my bathroom sink against the mirror," Harp said. "It turned out to be real cute."

The nursing student said: "I like taking pictures, but it's not a career or anything."

As winner of the "People's Choice," Harp received a night's accommodation in St. Louis.

During the six-week competition, sponsored by the Southeast Missourian, a panel of judges looked at entries and selected 24 semi-finalists. From the semi-finalists, eight finalists were chosen. Those eight photographs have been submitted for international judging.

KINSA is the largest annual amateur-snapshot contest. In 1997, judges in the international competition considered 1,116 photographs from 258 newspapers in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Photographers competed for $52,500 in prizes.