What’s The Purpose Of Entering A Photo Contest?

Sometimes it seems like it takes more effort than it’s worth. Not only do you have to keep up with your regular business and client work, but then you have to add in creating specialty images to enter into photo contests too? Is it really worth it?

Yes.

A photo contest ultimately does three things for you.

1. It boosts your confidence. Nothing can put a smile on your face more than being recognized by your peers. When they recognize your photographic talent, you know you’ve accomplished quite a bit in your career.

2. It educates you. Taking photographs for clients is completely different than taking photographs for awards. You look at things differently, put new perspectives on your subject matter, and learn more about the true art of photography.

3. It proves your expertise. When you market your photography, your client judges you based on your images and your marketing materials. When you add “award winning” in, it changes the dynamics. Your client instantly knows you’ve been recognized outside of the typical business world, and others appreciate what you do as well.

Win a few awards, and your business can easily become more professional, more saleable – which means you can charge more for what you do.

If you enter a local contest, you can list “award winner”.

If you enter an international contest, you can list “international award winner”.

With just a couple of wins behind you, you could quickly improve your status by becoming an “International Award Winning Photographer”.

And you could win some pretty cool prizes along the way too.

Here’s a look at contests happening right now.

2nd Annual Great Outdoors Photo Contest 2011

Have a chance to show off what you can create in nature, and have a chance at winning a week long Polar Bear Adventure.

The Photo Contest

Browse through this blog to find a variety of contests and photography competitions from around the world. They have different categories – portrait, sport, travel, etc – so you should be able to find something corresponding to your interests.

31st Annual Spring Photography Contest

Winning photographs will be published in the November 2011 issue of Photographer’s Forum Magazine, and exhibited at Brooks Institute Gallery. [Read more...]

10 Last Minute Stocking Stuffers For iPhone Photographers

Looking for those last minute stocking stuffers for the photographer in your life? Or maybe you are just looking to pick up something for yourself. If you love your iPhone, you’re going to love some of these gadgets.

The pic.me iPhone Tripod Case

This simple pic.me iPhone Tripod Case is the perfect thing to bring along anywhere. It features two angle, one for recording, and one for viewing.

iPhone Tripod Holder

The iPhone Tripod Holder provides you with a snug holder for your iphone that provides you with the tools necessary to attach it to any tripod.

[Read more...]

What Is It Like To Be Annie Leibovitz?

What’s your photography dream? Is it to shoot some of the biggest names in the business, with your work spread out on the pages of some of today’s top fashion magazines?

If you’ve always admired the work of Annie Leibovitz, and wonder what it would be like to work side by side with her, here’s a glimpse at what it would be like.  See the secrets of creating a work of art and what takes place behind the scenes with Annie Leibovitz for Vogue Magazine.

Holiday Wish List For Photographers

As a photographer, do you wind up with a gift or two every year that’s photography related? You know, the camera ornaments, the Santa decoration with a camera around his neck – you get the picture.

Every year we end up with something photography related – I can’t tell you how many camera ornaments we have hanging on our tree. Yep, I guess when you’re a photographer, people just love to get you anything photography related.

While you might not really want another camera ornament or Santa decoration this year, here are some gifts you’re truly going to love. And if you get your ideas going now, maybe you can pass them along hints to your loved ones before they purchase the next camera ornament.

For those little stocking stuffers, you need something small and inexpensive. One of our favorite sites for the cool gadgets that are photography related is Photojojo. Check out this camera lens mug, perfect to bring everywhere. And yes, you can choose Canon or Nikon – we understand how important that is being Canon groupies. Or bring your photography into your accessories, and add a lens bracelet to your wardrobe. Either way, you’ll subtly let people know of your obsession with photography.

How about a selection of new software? Head over to Nik Software and view the demos – you’re going to love at least one of their products. We’re intrigued with the HDR Efex Pro. Or try the Color Efex Pro for amazing filters and effects for your imaging. Or go out and get the Complete Collection – a great gift that will keep on giving all of 2011.

Which do you love more, photography or the technical side of things? Sometimes its hard to tell. If you’ve been wanting the latest iPad, maybe now is your time to put in that special request to Santa. You can do so much with one – read a book on photography, surf and learn about photography, post to your blog, check your orders … And you can even light your portraits.

iPad Photoshoot from Jesse Rosten on Vimeo.

Want to get your images into your iPad? Try Apple’s iPad Camera Connection Kit. It allows you to import digital photos from your digital camera, iPhone or SD card directly into your iPad.

While its not really photography related, its iPad related. And since you can do so much with your iPad for photography, it counts, right? Okay, I guess what I’m trying to say is this is on my list this year because I love it. BookBook for iPad is a hardback leather case that turns your iPad into a book. Made out of old leather in two color combinations, it’s the perfect disguise for your iPad.

Eye-Fi 8GB Pro Memory Card is a card that can help you automate and streamline your workflow. This high performance card will automatically upload your photographs to any folder, provide automatic geotagging to your RAW photos, provide you with endless memory mode so you can keep capturing all the time.

Lens Baby Composer Special Effects lens can help you look at the world in a different way. Start with one Lens Baby, and you’re going to want to try them all. They come in a variety of camera model styles, including Canon and Nikon.

One of the best things you can have for your studio is a projection system. And at today’s costs and sizing, they are one of the best investments you’ll make. So even if no one is in the market to give you a projector for the holidays, maybe its time to invest in one for yourself. And at this price, you can’t go wrong with this Sanyo.

Photography Lens Doubles As A Beverage Cup

What is it with us photographers. Sometimes I think we all sleep, eat and drink photography (I know we’re guilty).

So today I was excited to find a new way to, well, drink photography. Check out this great new beverage cup I found over on Photojojo.

In my post Tips To Become a Coffee Shop Entrepreneur, I talk about several ways you can promote yourself as a photographer simply by setting up shop at your local coffee house. Grab your laptop, a few business cards, and now your lens cup as an ice breaker, and you’ll be ready to do business spending just a few dollars a day on coffee.

These lenses are available in Canon and Nikon formats, so no matter what you’re preference, there’s a lens – or coffee cup – for you. Perfect for the holidays – get one as a stocking stuffer for your favorite photographer.

Available from Photojojo

Turning Your Photos Into Charitable Donations For Water, Solar and Wind Power

Photography allows you to capture what is there and take it with you, no matter where you travel throughout the world. If you can capture a photograph AND make a difference in the world, all the better.

GE Ecomagination Photo Project is leading the way by donating to three seperate charities every time you upload a new picture to Flickr, and tag it with the word “wind” “water” or “light”.  In turn, GE will donate:

  • 4.5kw hours of wind energy for every wind photo
  • 175 hours of solar power for every light photo
  • 480 gallons of drinking water for every water photo

And from the looks of things, they are well on their way to power health clinics in rural Peru, build fresh water wells providing millions of gallons of water in much needed areas, and provide light to families in East Timor.

Pretty cool. So if you are on Flickr and can help out a cause, join now. Nothing more than a tagged photo can help out in so many ways.

GE Ecomagination Photo Project

(via Photojojo)

Building A Cardboard Twin Lens Reflex Camera

Collect cameras? Then you probably have a Twin Lens Reflex Camera somewhere in your collection. Watch this amazing video to see how one designer creates an exact replica – out of cardboard. It has amazing attention to detail, and looks good enough to take on location to your next shoot.

Are You A Member Of Our Facebook Page? Join Now And Win

Are you one of the 500 million people currently active on Facebook? Have you joined our Virtual Photography Studio fan page?

Our Facebook page is a great way to keep up on our latest information to help you become better at the business side of photography. We share a ton of tips, interesting resources, and a contest or two along the way.

Starting today, we are running a contest through the end of September to give away one Six Figure Photographer Fast Trak training program. All you have to do is visit our Facebook page, like our page, and sign up to win. It’s that easy.

Then at the beginning of October, we’ll select the winner, and let you know who it is.

We also have a ton of new ideas planned for Facebook, so this is a great time to join and keep up on the latest information. If you’re a photographer, and want to make money with your photography, you can’t afford not to be on Facebook. And we’ll be showing you the best-kept secrets – IF you are following us.

Like us today on Facebook, and sign up to win Six Figure Photographer Fast Trak.

Learn more about Six Figure Photographer Fast Trak here.

Enter Digital Photographer of the Year Awards for 2010

What does winning a photographer award mean to you? It could be something you do for you – something that allows you to be recognized for your photographic skills. Or it could be something you do for your clients – something that allows you to showcase your skills. Either way, an award can help you boost your confidence and help you build your business a little bit more. It puts you into a different category of photographer. You can use it on your resume to tell your potential clients you’re an award winning photographer. And of course you can win some pretty excellent prizes along the way too.

Digital Photographer magazine just released their Photographer of the Year awards 2010 program, and you have several chances of winning between now and the end of the year. With six categories to choose from, you don’t have to enter everything right now. Each category opens up and corresponds to an issue of the magazine: Landscapes through August 26th, Portraits through September 23rd, Wildlife through October 21st, Travel through November 18th, Action through December 14th and Creative/HDR through January 14th.

When the final category closes, Digital Photographer will announce their grand prize winner, who will become Photographer of the Year for 2010.

Ready to enter?

Wedding Photographer Stumbles

UPDATE: After a short timeframe, the company decided to pull the video due to copyright. It’s also a sign of someone not understanding how to best use social. Instead of pulling it, they should have added logos and website addresses to catapult themselves with the free traffic they were getting.

Expensive camera equipment and walking backwards at a wedding can be a recipe for disaster. Watch the end of the video for what’s important, hint…it’s not the photographer.

Website templates for photographers