Lessons From My Intern

The Top 50 Photo Contests for 2012

The end of the year means a lot to many people, but one thing that comes to my mind around this time of year are the many photo contests that are ending or about to end their submissions deadlines.

For a photographer, the best exposure comes not from your own mouth, but from others talking about your work.  Photo contests are one of the best ways to get people talking about you and your work but sometimes these photo competitions are hard to find.  This year, I want to share what I believe are some of the top photo contests around the world.  Don't waste any time as some of these contest entry deadlines are fast approaching and the prizes are quite amazing.  Some of the prizes up for grabs include 2 first class airline tickets, photo gear, cash, exhibits and more.  There seems to be a contest for every type of photographer as well, ranging from teen contests to women only photographers contest, bird photography, sports, B&W, food and more.

This is the time for you to shine by showing your best photography work to the world.  Good luck!

                                           The Top 50 Photo Contests for 2012

Google Photography Prize

http://www.google.com/landing/photographyprize/index.html

Enter by January 31, 2012

The 155^th International Print Exhibiton 2012

http://www.rps.org/international-print-exhibition

Enter by March 21, 2012

PDN Photo Annual

http://www.pdnphotoannual.com/

Enter by January 25, 2012

The Open Photo Contest

http://www.theworldopen.com/about-open

Enter by March 31, 2012

Prize:  $50,000 up for grabs

World Press Photo Contest

http://submit.worldpressphoto.org/

Enter by January 6, 2012 (Central European Time)

Photography Masters Cup

http://www.thecolorawards.com/index.php

Enter by May 25, 2012

The Professional Photographer of the Year Awards 2011

http://bit.ly/nw0xtK

Enter by January 27, 2012

Sony World Photography Awards 2012

http://worldphoto.org/competitions/

Enter by January 4^th, 2012

The Black & White Spider Awards

http://www.thespiderawards.com/

Now Open for Entries

International Street Photography Award

http://bit.ly/sKxYVp

Enter by January 5^th, 2012

The Emergent Artist Award

http://emergentartistaward.com/Default.aspx

Enter by December 31, 2011

Food Photographer of the Year 2012

http://bit.ly/rKb9jJ

Enter by January 31^st, 2012

Wildlife Photographer of the Year

http://bit.ly/a4FjtA

Enter by February 23^rd, 2012

2012 Kellicutt International Juried Photo Contest

http://bit.ly/tcMmhz

Enter by February 29^th, 2012

Nikon Small World Competition

http://www.nikonsmallworld.com/

Enter by April 30, 2012

APO Productivity Photo Contest 2012

http://bit.ly/oGYk50

Enter by February 29, 2012

Canadian International Digital Photography Awards (CIDPA)

http://photographyaward.org/

Enter by January 3, 2012

Alaska Airlines Photo Contest

http://www.paradigmcg.com/2012_Photo_Contest.pdf

Enter by February 15, 2012

Red Bull Illume Sport Photo Contest

http://www.redbullillume.com/

TBD

Julia Margaret Cameron Award for Women Photographers

http://bit.ly/tlXVIb

Enter by December 30^th, 2011

2012 San Francisco International Photography Competition

http://galleryphotographica.com/

Enter by January 20, 2012

Professional Women Photographers Juried Photography Competition

http://pwponline.org/page.php?page=index

Enter by January 31, 2012

Ceres Gallery 10^th National Juried Exhibition ( Fine Art)

Juror:  Samantha Rippner- Curator Metropolitan Museum of Art – NYC

http://ceresgallery.org

Enter by February 15, 2012

Beyond Memory (Italy)

http://www.celesteprize.com/

Enter by February 29, 2012

Black & White Alternative Photographic Processes

http://rangefinderalternative.com/

Enter by January 1, 2012

The Human Form Photo Contest

http://www.darkroomgallery.com/ex24

Enter by December 28, 2011

Exposure  - A Competition Celebrating the Power of Image

http://www.artistswanted.org/exposure/?f=pp_pcn2

Enter by December 20, 2011

GRAND PRIZE- $10,000 cash grant

Nature’s Best Photography Picture Of The Week

http://www.naturesbestphotography.com/enter_othercompetitions.php

Ongoing

KL International Photo Awards 2012

http://www.klphotoawards.com/

Enter by March 31, 2012

Photographers Giving Back Award

http://www.thepgbphotoaward.com/home/

Enter by January 25, 2012

Animals Photographic Contest

http://lafango.com/contests/photography-animals

Enter by February 22, 2012

LENS 2012 International Juried Photography Exhibition (Fine Art Photography)

http://perspectivegallery.org/lens-2012

Enter by January 15, 2012

Digital Photo Pro 2^nd Annual Photo Of The Year

http://bit.ly/sbxwXP

Enter by January 3, 2012

Fellowship 12 International Photography Competition

http://bit.ly/thPPgF

Enter by January 15, 2012

MPA Wedding & Portrait Awards 2012 (UK)

http://bit.ly/jsy2Jx

Enter by May 18, 2012

Better Photography Photographer of the Year 2011

http://betterphotography.in/poy/

Enter by December 10, 2011

The 2012 Macquarie Photography Prize

http://bit.ly/uYzBpr

Enter by May 24, 2012

2011 Gardens in Focus Photography Competition

http://gardensinfocus.com.au/

Enter by December 10, 2011

International Photography Art Competition

http://www.showartists.com/magzine/41

Enter by October 30, 2012

Chromania

http://www.minispace.com/en_us/background/17/

Enter by January 31, 2012

Prize:  iPhone 4s

Joys of Travel Photo Contest

http://www.kutoatravel.com/Giveaway/

Enter by December 31, 2011

Prize:  Choice of Fantastic Holiday

PDN Top Knots Contest

http://topknotscontest.com/index.shtml

Enter by January 11, 2012

Red for Heart Photography Competition (UK)

http://bit.ly/idGHaX

Enter by January 6, 2012

1^st Annual International Teen Photo Photography Contest

http://teenagephotographer.com/highschoolphotocontest/

Enter by December 31, 2011

Birds As Art 1^st International Bird Photo Competition

http://www.birdsasart.com/competition/

Enter by March 31, 2012

5^th Annual Emerging Pro Photo Competition

http://www.digitalphotopro.com/5th-annual-emerging-pro.html

Enter by December 20, 2011

Donkey Art Prize II

http://www.donkeyartprize.com/

Enter by February 15, 2012

2012 Charlatan Ink Art Prize for the VISUAL ARTS

http://www.charlatanink.com/artprize/rules2012.html

Enter by February 29, 2012

National Geographic Your Shot

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/your-shot/your-shot

Ongoing

2012 International Art Competition and Exhibition

http://bit.ly/cAIZ7v

Enter by January 2, 2012

Prize:  Trip to Japan

Holiday Gifts - The Secret to Business Success

As the end of the year approaches I look back at the jobs I've done and find myself blessed to be able to make a living as a photographer all these years.  At the start of my career I thought working as a photographer was just about learning all the aspects of photography like lighting, posing, composition, etc.  As my career grew I quickly learned that the business of photography requires more than just being a good photographer.  

One of the most important, and often overlooked, aspects of the photography business is learning how to say thank you.  Every time a client hires you they make the choice to use you over 1000 other photographers.  Our clients today have more choices than ever before, so it's important that we do all we can to stay on their minds.  I view the cost of my gift giving as a part of doing business, and it ends up being cheaper than sending out thousands of promotional mailers or buying advertising space.  During my shoots I often send flowers or give my first book, Sepia Dreams but I also want to do small things to stay on their minds.

 At the end of each year I try to say thank you to my clients by sending a small thank you gift for the work I've received.  This year I am going online for my client gifts and sending something personal.  I'm known for wearing a tiger eye bracelet on my shoots and my clients always make comments on it.  The tiger eye gemstone is known for attracting wealth and success, and many celebrities, entertainers and successful business people wear this gemstone for this reason.  This year I am giving gemstone jewelry that has special meaning associated with each gemstones as gifts.  I found the perfect site for my one-stop shopping and I'm happy to be able to make a few clicks and have it taken care of.   

For some clients I will select jewelry to promote great health, and for my single clients I will send gemstone jewelry that helps in their relationships either with family, friends or finding a spouse.  Sometimes the gifts will be masculine braclets for my male clients or earrings, necklaces, or simple sparkling stones for my female clients.   Each item I send will relate to something each specific client desire in their lives or wants more of.  To be able to give a gift that promotes great health is special and to to keep clients for life you must make a personal connection.  At the end of the day people hire those they feel close to.  

Always Dream Big

TWiT Photo

Catch me LIVE today on TWIT Photo starting at 1:30 PST.

Looking forward to taking questions and sharing the joy of photography!

Always Dream Big

Each One Teach One

I had dinner with a photographer friend the other night and we discussed taking time away from shooting to speak or teach workshops.  For the working photographer it is always a struggle to accept speaking or workshop engagements because you run the risk of loosing a booking for a shooting assignment.  Some believe it is just not worth the time to teach vs shoot, but I feel a strong connection to doing both when possible.  At times there are conflicts, but at the end of the day it is worthwhile for me to teach as well as shoot.

I recently did a three day workshop in Seattle for CreativeLive on fashion and beauty photography.  Days before I was set to leave for the CreativeLive workshop I received a call asking for my involvement on the X Factor show.  I was thrilled at first but my excitement soon turned to anxiety as the dates were the same as my CreativeLive commitment.  To make a long story short I honored my commitment and my brother, yes I have a brother, Brian Smith did the segment on X Factor and did a freakin amazing job!

We have all heard the saying, "everything happens for a reason" and I truly believe this to be true.  My  CreativeLive segment on fashion and beauty didn't reach 40 million people but it was watched by over 60 thousand people around the world who all share a passion for photography.  It was the best way of teaching a workshop that I have experienced and I will gladly do it again.  The CreativeLive workshop is taped and broadcast live via the internet and people from all over the world log in to view it.  Not only are they able to view the workshop live as it happens, but they have the ability to asked questions at the same time.  The ability to ask questions is what I find so profoundly special about CreativeLIVE.  As the two commentators take questions from all over the world, I have the chance to connect in ways I never could before in a workshop.  It is one of the best ways to learn photography that I have seen to date and I wish it was around when I was first learning photography.

A lucky few get the opportunity to come and be a part of the live audience.  To be a part of the live audience you must submit a video stating why you want to in the live class.  The chosen few are selected and invited to attend.  In my live audience I had a young emerging photographer who traveled from Florida to Seattle to be a part of the workshop.  He is only eighteen years old but is very passionate about photography and I feel he will have a strong career in photography.   After he left the workshop he posted a video about his experience and I saw it for the first time this morning.  Take a look at what he had to say and you will see why teaching workshops are so gratifying. 

Link:  CreativeLive audience member

To learn more about other aspects of photography check out any of the following videos available in the Gallery Store.  Each video is available as a download moments after ordering.  The entire set of videos work together to give the viewer over 1.5 hours of information and valuable knowledge for becoming a better photographer.


Photography Videos Available:
Creative Ways to Promote & Market Your Photography

How To Work With Complex Lighting Situations

Seven Steps To Creating A Fashion Story

Ten Ways To Create Natural Light Portraits

Ten Ways To Photograph Women

Ten Ways To Use One Light Source

The Secret To Making Creative Photographs

Through The Lens

Always Dream Big!