After only seriously taking up photography less than a year ago, Bainbridge real estate agent Regina Gossett recently won a regional photography contest.

Gossett won first place in the sunrise and sunset category of the Mexico Beach Photo Contest, surpassing entries from Alpharetta, Ga., Houston, Texas, Anderson, S.C., and Zebulon, Ga.

“I began pursuing photography as a hobby in 2009, soon became a passion,” Gossett said. She said she took group and private lessons from noted Colquitt, Ga., photographer Jerry Miller. “I spend time traveling, looking for interesting scenes to capture for all to enjoy.”

Gossett also won honorable mention in the animal category. Debbie Howard of Bainbridge won second place in that category.

The contest drew more than 225 photos in the contest. The winning photos will be on display at the Mexico Beach Visitor Center through Oct. 31.