Meet Sarah Lutz: She oversees the Enshrinement Festival Photo Contest

One of the many things that the Pro Football Hall of Fame festivities bring to the area is the chance to take a slew of photographs. Some of those photos make their way to the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Photo Contest.

Now in its 35th year, the contest has been managed for the past three years by Sarah Lutz, creative director at the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce.

She is a Hoover High School graduate and a graduate of The Mary Schiller Myers School of Art – The University of Akron. She has a bachelor's degree in graphic design, with metalsmithing as a minor.

She lives with her daughter, Sunita, 17, and son, Ketan, 15, and two bunnies named Rory and Adrien.

“My first job after graduation was for an insurance company in Strongsville where I worked on a team with several other designers,” Lutz said. “The team support structure was exactly what I needed at the time because I had design skills but lacked practical application. I credit two of the senior designers who trained me during that time and am proud that we remain good friends today."

A few years later, she interviewed with the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce. She felt right at home with its beautiful building and the downtown Canton renaissance in full swing.

“I’ve been at the chamber ever since, first as a graphic designer, then as a contract employee, then as graphics manager and presently as creative director,” Lutz said.

She said the photo contest receives more than 200 submissions each year from both professional and non-professional photographers. Submissions are accepted from those taking photos of the outdoor Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival events such as the Canton Repository Grand Parade, Community Parade, Balloon Classic presented by Aultman, and Up, Up and Away 5K presented by OrthoUnited.

“The Balloon Classic is the most popular event to photograph with all the fascinating colors and impressive, unique hot air balloon designs," Lutz said. "The photos are an absolute joy and give us a unique perspective. ... You can often find stunning photos from the contest in event marketing, printed publications and in professional photography installations at the Akron-Canton Airport.”

Five questions with Dan Moeglin: Executive director of Stark Parks

Would you share some of your daily work tasks and activities as the creative director of the Canton Regional Chamber?

Daily tasks include fulfilling design requests and meeting our fast-paced deadlines. I work most closely with my boss, Kelly Piero, vice president of marketing, communications and public affairs; and our vice president of information technology, Angie Glancy.

I collaborate daily with almost every employee from several departments within the chamber. To give a glimpse into the diversity of my daily work, on my plate at the moment is the creation of a logo for our youth leadership programs, an invitation for Stark County Manufacturing Workforce Development Partnership, finalizing the commemorative poster for the Enshrinees’ Gold Jacket Dinner, membership marketing materials and designs for ystark! events.

The variety of our programming and the multiple, unique brands keeps my creativity ignited and allows me to challenge myself daily.

Outside of the HOF photo areas, where do you consider some of the more photographic areas of Stark County?

I love all the murals and art downtown — such great photo moments at every turn.

All the beautiful parks — (shout out to my friend Erin Thompson at Canton Parks & Rec!). And the gorgeous historic homes and architecture in Canton and Massillon.

What are some of your favorite mediums to work with?

I love watercolors and still-life/food photography. I also like playing around with interior design and feel like I’m always “feathering my nest” with rearranging, organizing, and DIY projects.

Who are a few of your favorite artists, authors and photographers?

I have really been inspired by artists who have a “designer-ly” feel — Alphonse Mucha, Maxfield Parrish, Arthur Rackham.

I also love vintage children’s books and love illustrators like Aliki, and Eloise Wilkin.

I’ve had the pleasure to observe the work of many local photographers over the years for chamber events and the Photo Contest and I continue to be impressed by their creativity and photographic storytelling abilities. Most recently I had the privilege to work alongside local photographer Kelly Klein who joined the chamber team this spring as our youth leadership program manager.

What is your favorite childhood memory or your favorite family tradition?

On Saturdays, we would go out for breakfast — one of our favorite spots was Jack Frost (now Beyesly's Restaurant) in North Canton. And every summer growing up, we would see how many hot air balloons would land in the field behind our house during Balloon Classic weekend.

Today, one of my favorite family traditions with my kids is taking some time off after the busy Enshrinement Festival season for a staycation in Vermillion where we enjoy paddleboarding and relaxation.

Editor's note: Five questions with ... is a Sunday feature that showcases a member of the Stark County community. If you'd like to recommend someone to participate, send an email to newsroom@cantonrep.com.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: 5 questions with Sarah Lutz who manages Enshrinement Photo Contest