Monmouth County Selects Aerial Photo of Sea Girt Lighthouse for 2026 Travel Guide Cover

Photographer Gary Gellman's winning image will be used in national tourism marketing efforts.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 12:33pm

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Monmouth County, New Jersey has selected an aerial photograph of the Sea Girt Lighthouse taken by photographer Gary Gellman as the cover image for the 2026 County Travel Guide. The image, which shows an American flag flying above the Atlantic Ocean, will also be used in the county's broader tourism marketing efforts as the nation prepares to mark its 250th anniversary.

Why it matters

The cover photo selection highlights one of Monmouth County's key tourism attractions along its 53 miles of shoreline, including three historic lighthouses. The choice of Gellman's image reflects the county's efforts to promote its natural and cultural assets to a national audience in the lead-up to the United States' 250th birthday celebrations.

The details

Gellman, who works out of Spring Lake Heights, New Jersey, was selected as the winner of the county's cover photo contest. His aerial photograph of the Sea Girt Lighthouse will appear on the front of the 2026 Monmouth County Travel Guide and be used in broader tourism marketing campaigns. County officials praised the image for capturing one of the many attractions along the county's coastline.

  • The 2026 Monmouth County Travel Guide will be published later this year.
  • The United States will celebrate its 250th anniversary in 2026.

The players

Gary Gellman

A photographer based in Spring Lake Heights, New Jersey who has received national exposure more than 500 times through his work in newspapers, magazines, and television.

Thomas A. Arnone

The Monmouth County Commissioner Director who serves as the liaison to the county's tourism division.

Monmouth County Tourism

The tourism division of Monmouth County, New Jersey that organized the cover photo contest for the 2026 County Travel Guide.

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What they’re saying

“The selected image will appear on the front of the guide and be used in tourism marketing efforts across the country as the nation prepares to mark its 250th anniversary.”

— Thomas A. Arnone, Monmouth County Commissioner Director

“The achievement reflected the work of the entire Gellman Images team, including Nick Hiltwein, Alana Denenberg and Kerrianne Gellman. We continue to push ourselves creatively and adapt our approach to photography.”

— Gary Gellman, Photographer

What’s next

The 2026 Monmouth County Travel Guide featuring Gellman's cover photo will be released later this year to coincide with the county's tourism marketing efforts leading up to the United States' 250th anniversary celebrations.

The takeaway

Monmouth County's selection of Gary Gellman's aerial photograph of the Sea Girt Lighthouse for the 2026 Travel Guide cover highlights the county's efforts to promote its natural and historic assets to a national audience as the country prepares to mark a major milestone. The choice of this visually striking image reflects the county's commitment to showcasing its unique coastal attractions through high-quality photography and creative marketing.