OK. I’ll admit that it’s not pretty and, perhaps, it’s not the most admirable of my few admirable traits. But I like to win.

My wife suggested my desire to win is actually a shortcoming when I chided her on Saturday for not having voted yet for her favorite Suffolk Living magazine cover. I’ve shot three of the photos that appeared on the front of our magazine since its inception a little more than two years ago, and I’m very proud of those photos, which, I suppose is actually the trait that Annette thinks unbecoming of me.

“What are you going to win?” she asked, already knowing that there’s no real prize involved.

“That’s not the point,” I replied. “I could WIN.”

It’s surprising just how loud an eye-roll sounds in an otherwise quiet pickup truck in the midst of a rainstorm.

In truth, it wasn’t glory I sought when we came up with the idea of a mini contest to find our readers’ favorite Suffolk Living cover. We’re putting together a special, Best-of edition of our magazine to publish in October, and choosing the best cover of the eight that have been published seemed the perfect way to promote the special edition. Giving our readers the power to vote was the sort of master stroke that comes from having a few creative minds at work on a problem at the same time.

We’ve had some great covers — and not all of them were mine. From the iconic shot of Mr. Peanut that we used to introduce the magazine in the fall of 2009 to the steering-wheel detail from an old Plymouth Skylark that graced the cover of the most recent edition, the Men’s Edition, each has told a different and graphically interesting story about Suffolk.

I’ve been proud of all the photography in these eight issues. We have terrifically talented photographer partners and a truly gifted graphic designer, who understands the best way to present their photos.

But I have to admit that I’ve been most excited to see my own photography given the space to shine on those pages. I love to write, and I occasionally churn out something worthy of the talent that God gave me. But shooting magazine-worthy photos isn’t really something I ever expected to achieve.

As is usually the case, though, Annette is right. And I’m not just saying that because I expect her to read this column. Pride is not an admirable trait.

Still, it’s nice to get a pat on the back once in a while. And I figured that I could at least count on my own wife’s vote. But in the privacy of the voting booth, who knows whom the presidential contender’s wife actually pulls the lever to support?

If you’d like to vote (and do it by Wednesday, our deadline), search on Facebook for Suffolk Living Magazine, and take a look at the gallery of covers. Then, click “Like” for your favorite.

Whether that’s one of mine or not. I’m a big boy. I can take it. Really.