Blame it on a pushy girlfriend.
Felix Marquez, a professional photographer living in Manassas, hesitated to enter the National Geographic photography contest his girlfriend had entered.
Finally, on the last day to enter, she told him "Sit down, give me three images, because we're going to win."
Marquez hasn't won -- yet. However, he's one of eight semi-finalists in his category for the Energizer Ultimate Photo Contest (run in conjunction with Energizer and National Geographic). His photo of a military drill was selected in the "festivals and celebrations" category. Anyone can vote online for their favorite of the photos; voting ends today.
"If I do win this thing it'll be an honor to be published in a magazine like National Geographic," Marquez, 44, said.
His entry was one of 8,110 submitted photographs.
If chosen, Marquez will receive an all-expense-paid trip for two to Tanzania and Zanzibar with someone from National Geographic. The photograph will also appear in an Energizer advertisement that will run in National Geographic magazine.
"We received thousands of entries, but his photo brings together the preparation, precision, and timing so wonderfully," National Geographic photographer and contest judge Jim Richardson said in a press release. "That's what propelled him to the top of the category."
Staff writer Josh Eiserike can be reached at 703-878-8072.
VOTE ONLINE
» Vote for Marquez and other favorite photos at NationalGeographic.com/energizer
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