Celebrating the beauty of ballooning and honoring a beloved Balloon Fiesta photographer
The ExxonMobil Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 Cindy Petrehn Memorial Photo Contest. Each year, photographers from around the world are invited to capture the color, creativity, and community spirit that make Balloon Fiesta the most photographed event in the world.
The contest honors the life and legacy of Cindy Petrehn, a licensed hot air balloon pilot, official Balloon Fiesta photographer, and member of both Women in Aviation and The Balloon Federation of America. Cindy was a beloved and integral figure in the ballooning community, capturing the beauty of the skies and the spirit of Balloon Fiesta until her passing in 2013.
The winning photographs were selected from hundreds of entries across seven categories. This year’s Grand Prize was awarded to John Roling for his striking photograph capturing one of Balloon Fiesta’s special-shaped balloons floating above Albuquerque’s morning sky, perfectly framed over a rising moon.
2025 Cindy Petrehn Memorial Photo Contest Winners:
Grand Prize: John Roling
Faces of Fiesta:
1st Place – Jerry Johnson
2nd Place – Wendy Hayes
3rd Place – Matthew Sumpter
Mass Ascension:
1st Place – Julie Hamlin
2nd Place – Jennifer Johnson
3rd Place – Kasie Cochrane
Dawn Patrol/Balloon Glow:
1st Place – John Dominguez
2nd Place – Cooper Hull
3rd Place – Ruthe Grote
Special Shape Rodeo:
1st Place – Dan Farley
2nd Place – Howie Pierson
3rd Place – Susan Case
AfterGlow Fireworks:
1st Place – Jerry Johnson
2nd Place – Wendy Hayes
3rd Place – Wendy Hayes
Digital or AI Art: Neal Halpern
“The Cindy Petrehn Memorial Photo Contest celebrates the artistic vision of our guests who share the story of Balloon Fiesta through their lens,” said Julie Morgas Baca, Balloon Fiesta Executive Director. “We are honored to continue Cindy’s legacy of capturing the beauty and emotion that make this event so special.”
The winning photographs are showcased here and will be shared on the Balloon Fiesta’s official Facebook and Instagram, inviting fans to celebrate and share the creativity of this year’s talented photographers.