How to take a winning photograph

You’ve seen the invitation to enter a photo contest. You get really excited, because you know you take good photos. Of course you do! But winning photos need more than just good composition and lighting. They need to be RELEVANT to the contest you’re entering. Read on for tips on how to enter (and possibly win!) our Visit Mooresville and MVL photo contest.

Tip 1. Know the Topic

Probably the most important tip for taking a winning photo is to know your contest topic. What will the judges be looking for in this particular contest? For example, in the Visit Mooresville and MVL photo contest, we have three categories: Nature, Hangouts, and Events. Easy enough. But we’re looking for one additional element in all of these photos: people. We want to see people enjoying the great area we love and call home. So let’s explore how that extra ask can affect how you take (and enter) a photo.

Say you want to enter a photo from one of our fun hangouts, like a brewery. You could take a photo of a beer sitting on a table all by itself. Or a point of view shot of your hand holding a beer in front of a cool backdrop. It’s a great photo, but it’s a little off topic for this particular contest. What if, instead, you show people at the brewery hanging out and obviously having a good time. Let’s explore these two different photos:

← Great Photo

(but not on topic for this contest)

Great Photo →

(and totally on topic!)

See the difference? Both photos are high quality and interesting, but for this contest, we want to see people having fun! That’s something the photo on the right completely nails!

Tip 2. Make Sure the “Place” is obvious

We are looking for photos that showcase the wonderful place we call home. We want to show visitors all of the fun things they can do in and around Mooresville. So if your photo’s location isn’t instantly recognizable as one of our fun attractions or businesses, it’s not going to do well in the contest. For example, you could have a great action photo of you playing with your dog in your back yard, but unless your yard backs up to a park or one of our local businesses, it doesn’t show what makes Mooresville great. If your photo could be from a yard anywhere in the United States, it’s not what we are looking for. However, if you have a photo of you playing fetch with your dog on the waterfront at Lake Norman State Park, then THAT is a photo we’d love to see.

Cute photo! But nothing to suggest it’s in Mooresville.

Better photo! It has the lake and a Mooresville marina in the background.

Tip 3. Make Sure You Can Be Seen

If you enter the contest using our hashtag #CVBMVL and your account is private – we won’t see your photo! In order to make sure your entry is seen, take the following steps:

If you have a public Instagram account, simply tag your photo in the caption with #CVBMVL. (Not sure if you have a public account? Here’s how to check!)
If your Instagram is private (and you want to keep it that way), you can send us a photo on our contest upload page HERE.
You can enter on Facebook with the hashtag as well, just make sure that particular post is set to Public (here’s how) or use the upload link in #2 above.
If you want to enter a photo that already appears on your Instagram feed (from at least the last 3 years) simply edit the caption to include the #CVBMVL hashtag.

If you have any questions or trouble uploading a photo, simply email us at social@visitmooresville.com.

Tip 4. Know All The Rules

We know, that pesky fine print is so boring to read. But it does help to know the guidelines for the contest. Knowledge is power! Or in this case, it might be the secret to winning that $500 top prize! Check out all of our rules and guidelines here.

How to take a winning photograph

Murals in Downtown Mooresville

Murals in Downtown Mooresville

Reviving history with Mooresville’s wall murals

If you walk or drive through downtown Mooresville, you will see art adorning the walls of brick buildings, many of them faded advertisements from many years ago. But some are brighter and more distinct than others, having undergone a renovation to bring them back to life.

The restoration project is part of a larger revitalization of Mooresville’s streetscapes. The faded ghost signs are an important part of the town’s history, and the collaboration between the Historic Preservation Commission and the Beautification Committee aims to insure that the future generations will also be able to enjoy them. Read more about the murals and the men who are helping renovate them!

These historic murals, and a few fresh new ones, are favorite places for photo ops. In fact, they make our Most Instagrammable Places in Mooresville list! Here are a few of the mural locations. See how many more you can find around town!

128 N. Broad Street

201 W. Center Avenue

W. Moore Ave & N. Main

100 E. Center Avenue

404 N. Main Street

Murals in Downtown Mooresville

TownePlace Suites Mooresville Escapes

Enjoy a special rate of $94/night at the beautiful TownePlace Suites Mooresville Lake Norman during the Mooresville Escape promotion.

Location: TownePlace Suites
139 Gateway Blvd, Mooresville NC 28117 : Exit 33
704-659-8600

BOOK NOW >

Redeemable: April 17 – Sept 8, 2021 (Last day to book Sept 6, 2021)

DETAILS

ROOM RATES: Rate of $94.00 is for 1 King Studio Suite with sofa bed or 2 Queen Studio with sofa bed. Rates are per room, per night and based on availability at the time of reservation. Taxes and fees are additional. Must be booked 48 hours in advance. Offer cannot be combined with any other promotions.

ACTIVITIES: Book your hotel, choose your preferred activities from the list, then call or email our office with your choices. Your savings certificates will be in your arrival package upon hotel check-in. Simply present your certificates at your attractions or activities and the special savings rates will be honored. NOTE: Please allow 3 days for your certificates to be delivered to your hotel before check-in. If you are planning a last-minute getaway please call our office rather than email so we can accommodate the quick turnaround.

Getaway promotion certificates will only be delivered to the hotel, not mailed or available for pickup in our office. A room confirmation number is required to request savings certificates. Some attractions or activities require advanced notice or reservations. Please confirm schedules and hours with each vendor prior to arrival. Certificates are for discounts, special rates, or special offers; payment for each activity is the responsibility of the user and will be paid directly to the vendor.

TownePlace Suites Mooresville Escapes

SpringHill Suites Mooresville Escape

SpringHill Suites Mooresville Escapes

Enjoy a special rate of $104/night at the beautiful SpringHill Suites Charlotte Lake Norman/Mooresville during the Mooresville Escape promotion.

Location: SpringHill Suites
121 Gateway Blvd, Mooresville NC 28117 : Exit 33
704-658-0053

BOOK NOW >

Redeemable: April 17 – Sept 8, 2021 (Last day to book Sept 6, 2021)

DETAILS

ROOM RATES: Rate of $104.00 is for 1 King Studio with sofa bed or 2 Queen Studio with sofa bed. Rates are per room, per night and based on availability at the time of reservation. Taxes and fees are additional. Must be booked 48 hours in advance. Offer cannot be combined with any other promotions.

ACTIVITIES: Book your hotel, choose your preferred activities from the list, then call or email our office with your choices. Your savings certificates will be in your arrival package upon hotel check-in. Simply present your certificates at your attractions or activities and the special savings rates will be honored. NOTE: Please allow 3 days for your certificates to be delivered to your hotel before check-in. If you are planning a last-minute getaway please call our office rather than email so we can accommodate the quick turnaround.

Getaway promotion certificates will only be delivered to the hotel, not mailed or available for pickup in our office. A room confirmation number is required to request savings certificates. Some attractions or activities require advanced notice or reservations. Please confirm schedules and hours with each vendor prior to arrival. Certificates are for discounts, special rates, or special offers; payment for each activity is the responsibility of the user and will be paid directly to the vendor.

SpringHill Suites Mooresville Escape

Fun Things to do in Mooresville Right Now – HOLIDAY

Fun Things to do in Mooresville Right Now – HOLIDAY

Fun Things to do in Mooresville Right Now

The holidays are a magical time of the year. Even though this year looks a little different, we still have some great ways to enjoy the holidays around Mooresville!

Drive through a Lighted Wonderland

What better way to enjoy Christmas lights than from the safety of your own vehicle? More than 4 million Christmas lights await you at Zootastic Park’s Christmas Wonderland of Lights. The drive through light show is open every evening from 6pm – 9pm. You can also access the zoo to visit with the animals.

Celebrate in Downtown

What’s better than strolling the streets of a quaint downtown taking in the Christmas decor? We can’t think of anything either! Throw in a few fun events and you have yourself a holiday. Check out these special events downtown coming up. Please remember to wear a mask and social distant so that everyone can stay safe!

Mistletoe Sip & Shop – December 18
Our unique small businesses will be offering open house activities, light appetizers, store specials & more from 6-8pm along Main and Broad Streets.

Holiday Light Spectacular – through December 31
An orchestrated light show that includes over 175,000 lights set to music awaits you on the lawn at Town Hall (413 N. Main St.). This free event runs nightly starting at 5:30pm.

Merry Movies on Main – December 18 at OnTap Crafty Brews
Gather for the movie “A Christmas Story” projected on the big screen outdoors on Moore Ave. between Main St. & Broad St. Bring your own chairs & blankets for a festive night of film. Beer by On Tap, Wine by 202 Fine Wines along with sweet treats for purchase on site.The movie is from 6-8pm.

Snap some Christmas photos

If you’re looking for a last-minute photo for Christmas cards, or just want to capture some images for years to come, check out some great places to snap some photos of your loved ones (or yourself!) in Mooresville this holiday season.

Charles Mack Citizen Center courtyard – 215 N. Main Street
The courtyard off Main Street is decorated with lighted trees and other props perfect for photos! They also feature Grab-N-Go Holiday Treat Bags on Monday evenings from 5-7pm.

The Langtree Christmas Tree – 401 Langtree Rd
Head to Langtree Lake Norman to capture some shots in front of the giant Christmas tree. There is also a mailbox for dropping letters to Santa.

Fun Things to do in Mooresville Right Now – HOLIDAY

Family Reunions in Mooresville

Reconnect with Family in Mooresville

For some families, the last couple of months have meant being away from each other, and only being able to catch up via phone or online. If you are wanting to reconnect with your extended family, planning a family reunion here in Mooresville may be the perfect solution.

We have activities to keep the whole family entertained

You can do as much, or little, as you want when you come to Mooresville. Does the idea of taking a leisurely paddle in a kayak or on a stand up paddle board around Lake Norman catch your interest? Or maybe you have some family members who like a little more action. Take a turn around the kart track at GoPro Motorplex to get your heart racing. Or pile everyone in the mini van and head over to Lazy 5 Ranch or Zoostastic Park, where you can drive through the parks and feed exotic animals right from your car.

For the adventurous, sign up for a wakeboarding or wakesurfing lesson. Even those who don’t try boarding will enjoy a day in the boat watching and cheering on the students. Or just rent a pontoon boat and spend the day out on the lake with family. For those that prefer their activities at a slower pace, take a stroll down Main Street, where you can visit the more than 100-year old D.E. Turner Hardware store. Be sure to stop by the #WingWallMooresville for a unique photo op. Or visit one of the race shops or racing museums, like Dale Earnhardt, Inc.

Our restaurants are back open for dining in, though at limited capacity. There is something here for every member of the family, from the wood-fired pizzas of Alino Pizzeria or Novanta 90, the more upscale atmosphere of Epic Chophouse or On The Nines Bistro, to the creative sushi and dishes of Monsoon Asian Grill or Pisces Sushi Bar, and everything in between. See all of our dining options here.

Our breweries are a fun place to socialize with family members, and they are kid friendly! Grab a beer, order dinner from a food truck, and hang out! Check out our Kegs, Casks, and Barrels page for a complete listing of breweries, pubs and other places to enjoy adult libations.

Contact us to see how our office can assist with making your family reunion fun and memorable. For reunions requiring multiple room accommodations, our complimentary services include contacting each of our hotels to bring you their most competitive rates and amenities tailored to your special event, all in one package. We can also help you find the perfect meeting space to host a family gathering.

We look forward to welcoming your family to Mooresville!

Family Reunions in Mooresville

Mooresville Spirit

The Mooresville Community Has Shown Its Spirit

We have been inspired by the businesses and members of our community that have stepped up to keep us fed, inspired, fit, entertained and more during these trying times. From Alino’s Pizza for serving free pizzas (nearly 4,000!) to healthcare workers, medics, firefighters, police and teachers, to Kyle Busch Motorsports making parts for face shields to keep medical workers safe, we have seen numerous stories of our businesses and residents going above and beyond to help the community and the world. Check out the gallery below to see the #MooresvilleSpirit in action.

Mooresville Spirit

Covid 19 Updates

Covid 19 Updates

Travel and Business Updates for Mooresville

As we are all trying to adjust to the changing environment surrounding COVID-19 (Coronavirus), Visit Mooresville is dedicated to keeping residents and visitors up to date on the businesses and attractions that we all love.

The Visitors Center is open and is greeting guests daily. The CVB staff has completed the “Count on Me NC” training through the NC Department of Health and Human Services and are proud to display the Certificates of Completion as a commitment to keep everyone healthy and safe. We urge visitors to our area to take the guest pledge as well.

Need a place to stay? Our hotels are open Want a great meal or a locally brewed beer? Most of our restaurants, breweries and wineries are now open for business.

To assist workers from the hospitality industry that have been so hard hit by COVID-19 restrictions, or if you are a worker who is in need of assistance, please visit the NC Restaurant Workers Relief Fund website.

Additional resources for the NC Hospitality Industry

Public Health Resources

The following trusted resources on COVID-19 are helpful when gathering information on restrictions, prevention, treatment and more.

Iredell County Health Department

NC Department of Health and Human Services
In addition; the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has established a public hotline for questions on COVID-19. To access the hotline, call 1.866.462.3821.

CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Office of NC Governor Roy Cooper

Covid 19 Updates

Attractions Updated Hours and Closings

Attractions Updated Hours and Closings

Restaurants Offering Take Out or Curbside Delivery

Many of our restaurants are open with take out, curbside, or delivery available. Help out our restaurants by using your phone! If you use the take out option at any of the restaurants, help us promote them by snapping a photo and using the hashtag #MooresvilleTakeOut in your post. We’ll share the photos on our social media and our website. It helps the community stay in touch and helps spread the word about the dining options available.

LEAVE A TIP!!

There are thousands of North Carolinians from the restaurant and hospitality industry now without jobs or a source of income. They need money for the basic necessities. They’ve always served us. Now it’s our chance to serve them back. Donate to the NC Restaurant Workers Relief Fund. (Or, if you are a hospitality worker who needs assistance, get it here.)

Mooresville Restaurants by Category

Brews To Go:
Ghostface Brewing, King Canary Brewing, Jolly Roger Brew, OnTap, Ultimate Ales, and K Craft Beer & Wine are all offering take away and/or growler refills.

Attractions Updated Hours and Closings

Current Travel Information for Mooresville regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Travel Information in Mooresville regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Mandates & Public Health Resources

Visit Mooresville is committed to closely monitoring the situation with Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the impact it is having on our visitors, residents and businesses. In keeping with the Governor’s Executive Order that all restaurants and bars close for dine-in service, many of our Mooresville restaurants are offering take out and curbside pickup for to-go orders. Please consider supporting local restaurants with to-go orders. You can access a list of our attractions that are open and any special hours they may have in place.

The Town of Mooresville indoor Recreation facilities, the Mooresville Golf Club and the Mooresville Public Library will be closed to the public until further notice. Outdoor parks will remain open at this time.

The following trusted resources are helpful when gathering information on restrictions, prevention, treatment and more.

Iredell County Health Department

NC Department of Health and Human Services
In addition; the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has established a public hotline for questions on COVID-19. To access the hotline, call 1.866.462.3821.

CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Community Events and Mass Gatherings

To slow the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and reduce the number of people infected, NCDHHS recommends that organizers (whether groups or individuals) cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout North Carolina. These events may include but are not limited to conferences, sporting events, faith-based organizations, and concerts. NCDHHS has guidance available for gatherings of less than 50 people..

Gatherings that draw more than 100 people are prohibited under Executive Order 117 issued by Governor Roy Cooper on March 14. It mandates that organizers of events that draw more than 100 people cancel, postpone or modify these events or offer online streaming services. These events include large gatherings where people are in close contact (less than 6 feet), such as concerts, conferences, sporting events, faith-based events and other large gatherings.

Current Travel Information for Mooresville regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19)