Though it took four years for it to resurface, Summer Shutters is back. Photographers are invited to turn out June 22 and 23 to help capture the charm and beauty of Bixby Knolls, California Heights, Virginia Country Club and the Los Cerritos neighborhoods during a 24-hour photo-thon known as Summer Shutters 3.0.

As organizers hope to immortalize the area through digital photography–whether using a digital camera or a smart phone–Summer Shutter 3.0 is an opportunity for amateurs and professionals alike to photograph the neighborhoods’ businesses, people and streets. With prize categories that include best overall, best digitally altered, best nature and best business exterior photos, photographers–amateur or otherwise–have the chance to be recognized for their work.

{loadposition lateslife}One new feature of the competition is an Instagram category, where entrants using the hashtags #bixbyknolls and #summershuttersbk can submit photos through the social media application. Rules stipulate that the photos must be of a business exterior on Atlantic, Wardlow, Long Beach Boulevard or San Antonio Drive. In addition to being posted to the user’s account, an entrant is required to follow @bixbyknolls on Instagram, use the above hashtags, email the photo to photo@bixbyknollsinfo.com and fill out a contestant application form.

The second new category is Best Historical Photo in which people are encouraged to rummage through old photos and produce vintage shots of the neighborhood. Do you have photos from The Chandelier or Ray and Eddie’s Market? The Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association wants them. All photos will be scanned, entered into a historical archive and returned to their owners.

The winners of this year’s event will be announced and have their photos displayed at the August 2 First Friday event at the Expo Arts Center on Atlantic Avenue at 8PM.

Rules, information and contest forms can be found at www.bixbyknollsinfo.com.