Yesterday I posted a note announcing the new Out IN Jersey Magazine photo contest, FREE to submit.
That brings up the question: how does an image-maker prepare to submit to photo contests?
Here are a few things to consider:
Submission fee: FREE or, if there is a fee, how much and does it make sense
Type of contest: theme – are you interested in the type(s) of photography you’d be required to submit
Deadline: do you have time to prepare and submit your images and other related material, such as an artist statement and/or bio?
Image Requirements: number of images to be submitted, size, resolution, titles, captions, year of making, etc.
Prize: what’s in it for you – it can be money, awards, free photo gear, a photo or photo portfolio review, acknowledgments, mentions, having your award-winning work published or included in a photo show, being interviewed and having your work featured in a magazine, as with the Out IN Jersey photo contest, and so on
So, if you decide to submit, try the following:
- Study the photo contest rules carefully.
- Choose your images carefully. Revise, resize, rename, etc., as per photo contest rules/guidelines. DO follow the guidelines!
- Submit before the deadline!
In general, I think that submitting to creative contests is a good, practical, and helpful exercise.
If you decide to give it a try, fingers crossed!
Happy photographing, and, as always, thanks for stopping by!
Alina Oswald 