You hit us with your best shots: The winners of the Houston @175 photo contest

When we asked you to show us your best Houston photos to commemorate Houston's 175th birthday, we had no idea you were just as in love with the city as we are. And we certainly learned one thing in picking the best photos for our contest: There's nothing like seeing the Bayou City from the eyes of a Houstonian.

And now, without further ado, the contest winners.

"I was taking pictures for my 3-year-old son's, J. Dominic, birthday invitations. He wanted a cowboy-themed party, so we took some shots at Sam Houston Park and the green space between Memorial and Allen Parkway.

It was a typical humid summer afternoon and he was getting very hot and irritated. In his moment of defiance, he turned his back to me and it turned out to be the best shot of the day."

- Sergio Davila

"Houston's finest fight off a fire on Main Street."

- Spencer Schyma

"The city was buzzing about the Houston Texans' chance to have the No. 1 draft pick. They passed on Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart. Then they passed on local phenom Vince Young. Ultimately, they chose a defensive monster in Mario Williams.

This photograph is from training camp — his test to see if he could take the heat in Houston. I'd say he's handled it just fine."

- Kyle Jones

"Goode Company's passion for producing the best barbeque in town has been a staple to the food community in Houston for 35 years.  

This photo was taken on a Rolleiflex medium format camera to commemorate the grand opening in Sept. 1977. Pictured from left to right is Uncle Joe 'Dixie,' Liz, Levi, Jim and Jana Goode standing in front of the original Goode Company BBQ location on Kirby Drive.

Since the beginning, the Goode Company name promised to serve up nothing but the best. The quality had to be right, and to this day they still uphold the same commitment to quality, baking their own breads and pies from scratch, making and smoking their own sausage, and perfecting sauces and spices.

In the early years — it wasn't easy. Most nights, Jim Goode slept at the restaurant, waking up every hour throughout the night to check the brisket. He kept a shotgun nearby to protect the meat, the equipment and himself, in that order.

Goode Company provides honest food prepared the 'right way' — by hand, using time honored recipes and quality ingredients. The Goodes' approach to representing their family food and the great state of Texas has carried over in their Hamburgers & Taqueria, Gulf Coast Seafood, and Armadillo Palace.

This year, Goode Company is celebrating their 35th anniversary."

- Levi Goode

"I took this photo while I was waiting for the Freedom Over Texas Fireworks show to begin. I was lucky enough to get an unobstructed and highly elevated view from the Bank of America building."

- James Jackson III

"Texans' thoughts on gun control."

- Spencer Schyma

"This photo is evocative of my love for the city in two highly contrasting ways: What was and what is.

In the background, you have one of the tallest buildings west of the Mississippi, surrounded by some of the feats of modernity: steel, glass, and engineering.  

In the foreground, you have the beginnings of how Houston came to be: hardworking, salt-of-the-earth Texans coming to the city.  

In a sense, it is an exposed time capsule — Houston 175 years ago, and Houston today."

- Emile Browne

"The Chevron Houston Marathon is a community-wide event, attracting a diversity of participants and spectators."

- Liz Probst

"This was our family's very first Via Colori. We attended with our then 3-year-old and 8-month-old sons. I enjoyed the event, taking tons of pictures with my very first DSLR. My older son had fun playing with the colored chalks."

- Laudemer Vigilla

"After 175 years, diversity is one of Houston's most significant accomplishments.

Opening Feb. 15, 2011, the new Rosemont Bridge crosses the Buffalo Bayou at the intersection of Montrose and Allen Parkway. Kneeling to guard the southern entrance are seven sculptures by Barcelona artist Jaume Plensa. Called 'Tolerance,' the artist used Latin, Greek, Arabic and a slew of other languages to reflect the city’s diversity."

- Julie Gomez

"Still commonly referred to as TransCo Tower, Williams Tower stands tall on the West Loop and simply cannot be missed. Perched at the corner of one the busiest interchanges in the state, it serves as a metaphoric lighthouse for Houston drivers.

Here, the perennial landmark rises into the fog, fitting for its position within the landscape."

- Kyle Jones

"I took these on Jan. 8, 2010, while helping a friend get some downtown shots for his website."

- Christopher Nevins

"On Nov. 5, 2011, Perla and Colin Grover were married at St. Anne's Catholic Church and their reception took place at Las Velas Houston. To celebrate the two of them, this image was captured in front of the beautiful and awe-inspiring Houston landmark — Gerald D. Hines Waterwall, located in the Galleria area."

- Julie Wilhite

There's nothing like a sunset — or a sunrise, for that matter — in Texas. Downtown Houston sneaking into the corner of this photo makes the shot that much more majestic.

"I was taking pictures of random Houston scenery, and when I passed Houston Community College, I just thought it was beautiful. The city is really growing and education is definitely a part of the process."

- Ace Wavey

"The city's dramatic skyline offers a unique view from all angles." Even reflected in sunglasses.

- Liz Probst