Have you ever entered a photo competition???

Whether you’re in business or a hobbyist, entering a competition offers a lot of valuable benefits!

Not only will you be putting yourself and your work out there to collect a rejection (yes, I encourage you to collect those!), or possibly a win, you’ll need to examine your work before entering, you’ll gain exposure which brings new and unexpected opportunities, and you’ll push yourself creatively, all of which will ultimately help you to become a better photographer. 

So if you’re ready to give it a go, here are a few tips to help you when entering a competition:

Read the Rules

All competitions will have their own rules, regulations, terms and conditions. READ them all carefully!

How many images can you submit? What format and size do they need to be in? When is the deadline? How will the images be used by the contest organiser?

The quickest way to get rejected is by not following the rules!

Stay on Theme

Most competitions will have a specific theme they are looking for. When you’re going through your portfolio, keep the phrase ‘does this fit the theme’ in the back of your mind.

If the judges are deciding on two images to win, they’ll choose the one that most fits the theme so yes, get creative and interpret the theme as you wish, but don’t stray too far off topic. 

Make your Images Memorable

Most likely there will be hundreds, or even thousands, of submissions. Make your images stand out and be memorable to the judges.

You want to catch the judges eye and stop them in their tracks. Use an interesting composition, perspective or subject matter to stand out amongst the crowd.

Do your Research

Get to know the judges and past winners by researching their work.

What style do the judges shoot? What style have past winners been? Do you notice a pattern?

If past winners are all more of a fine art style and you shoot documentary, chances are you probably aren’t the best fit for this competition. 

Pay Attention to the Technicals 

Pay attention to everything in your images!

Look at the focus, exposure, distracting elements, your edges. Make sure the images you’re submitting are technically good.

Get a Second Opinion

We all get too close to our own work and don’t always see things that are obvious to others.

Get a second opinion on your images from a family member, friend or mentor to get their thoughts. 

Set a Budget

Competitions come in all shapes and sizes.

From small local photography clubs and newspapers to big international competitions. Some are free, some charge an entry fee, some charge an entry free as well as a printing fee if you win.

Fees can add up quickly, so set a budget per year and stick to it (or just stick to free ones!). 

Don’t Get Discouraged

You won’t always win. You may never win. Even the famous photographers lose!

But don’t get discouraged or let it stop you from entering! Remember the idea is to COLLECT THE REJECTIONS! 

Different people and different judges will see different things in your images. The same photo may win one competition, but not make it past the first round in another. 

Equally, if the winning images end up in a gallery (either in print or digital format), the judges will be looking for a cohesive set. Your image, although memorable, on theme and technically good, may not fit with the other images already chosen. 

You won’t know why your photos get rejected, and it could be for a number of different reasons for each competition. But remember, you can’t win if you don’t play! 

YOU’RE AWESOME!

If you don’t win a competition, it doesn’t mean your photo isn’t awesome and it certainly doesn’t mean that you aren’t awesome.

Remember, if you put your work and yourself out there and entered the completion, YOU ARE TOTALLY AWESOME! 

Now awesome photographer, go have a look for some photography competitions you can enter. Have a look through your portfolio and look for on theme and technically sound images you can submit and start entering. GOOD LUCK for the win, or be happy with the rejections (they are pretty good for your photography journey too!).

Jenny Rusby is an online and in-person photography mentor. She is a natural light, lifestyle and documentary photographer and specialised newborn photographer, maternity photographer and family photographer. She services all areas of Victoria, including inner Melbourne suburbs such as Richmond, Northcote, Fitzroy, Collingwood, Malvern East, South Melbourne, Elwood, as well as outer south eastern subrubs, bayside areas such as Morntington, Sorrento and Red Hill. She also services the west of Melbourne and will travel to Geelong and further on request.