For years, Inglewood Park Cemetery (IPC) has drawn curious tourists, and photographers, from all over. Not only is it the final resting place of noted icons like Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles and Etta James, it is also home to a host of historic angel monuments, each one with its own unique story to tell.
In September of last year, IPC announced the “Soul of the City of Angels” contest, inviting photographers throughout Southern California to participate, as a way to honor these angels. The contest, which was open to amateurs, photography enthusiasts and professionals alike, focused on the 115-year-old cemetery’s numerous stone angels scattered throughout the memorial park, some dating back to the cemetery’s early start. The contest brought in over 200 entries with the united goal of capturing the spirit of the stone angels. A professional panel of photography experts reviewed and judged each entry and winners were announced last month in December.
The two categories of the competition were: “Pure Photography” for images employing the art of color or black & white photography, with minimal evident post-processing or special effects; and “Creative Eye” allowing for more flexibility and freedom. Both categories had three winners each. The six winning photographs, along with a selection of other noteworthy entries, are currently exhibited online, with the possibility of a future live exhibit, depending on the safe return of physical gatherings after COVID.
We sat down with First Place Winner of the Pure Photography category, Sabra Marie, to learn more about what inspired her to participate in the competition.
“Cemeteries are a place of so many different emotions for people,” said Sabra. “They represent the end of life…a final resting place. But they can still be very beautiful. There are so many stories buried there. I saw this contest as an opportunity to honor those stories and bring life to them through the eyes of the angels. Looking at them, the angles had stories to tell too.”
She titled her winning entry, “Cross Her Heart,” drawing attention to the angels’ arms folded delicately across her chest while holding a crucifix. Playing off of the childhood phrase, “cross my heart and hope to die,” Sabra said she felt the angel’s expression looked as if she would trade places with the departed soul she stood watch over…if only she could.
Sabra Marie is a Los Angeles-based photographer who has traveled all over the world taking photographs. Her passion for photography grows each day and she enjoys shooting all people (from portraits & engagement sessions to social events), places (travel & landscapes) & things (from insignificant broken bottles to grand architecture and now…concrete angels).
All photos will be on display until the end of February at www.IPC-PhotoContest.com. Learn more about Sabra Marie and her photography at www.sabramariephotography.com.
