Art of Contest Entries: 10 Proven Tips for Winning Photo and Art Competitions
Blog by Jada Parrish | Article | 05/22/23
Art and photo competitions are one of the greatest tools for an emerging artist. These creative competitions bring together top-tier experts and offer life-changing prizes that can skyrocket your career. But with fierce competition, you need a strategic edge to make your mark.
In this post,I'm going to unveil my top 10 tips for creating an awe-inspiring contest entry enabling you to stand out and increase your odds of winning.
1. Master The Theme
Most competitions have an overall theme or specfic categories. Read these descriptions carefully. Understanding the theme is key. Take a close look through your portfolio, handpicking the images that perfectly align with the contest's message. I like to narrow my images down then wait a day or two before choosing the final photos to submit. I've found it brings more clarity and helps me choose the images that best fit the theme rather than just choosing my favorite images to submit.
2. Study Past Winners
Studying the works of past winners can provide valuable insights into the preferences and expectations of the contest judges. Observe, analyze, and uncover the hidden correlations within their work. Can you spot the judges' preferences and discern the type of work that they have been drawn to? Do you see any correlations between the winning photos? Analyze their styles, themes, and techniques to gain inspiration for your own entry. While originality is key, understanding what has worked in the past can help you refine your approach and increase your chances of success. If every year a strong portrait photo wins the contest, submit a strong portrait - not something super abstract.
3. Pay Attention to Entry Guidelines
Every contest has specific entry guidelines that must be followed meticulously. Read and understand these guidelines to ensure your submission meets all the requirements. Pay attention to file formats, sizes, naming conventions, and any additional instructions provided. Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in disqualification, so thoroughness is crucial. Also make sure to read how your work will be used and what permissions you are granting the contest in terms of using your work for promotion.
4. Prepare a Well-Written Artist Statement
Accompany your submission with a well-written artist statement. Use this opportunity to provide insights into your creative process, the inspiration behind your work, and the intended message. A thoughtful and articulate artist statement can add depth and context to your submission, making it more impactful and memorable.
5. Research The Judges
Find out who is judging the contest and research them! What type of work are they most drawn too? Are they drawn to vibrant colors or do they lean towards subdued palettes? Are they artists themselves? If so, what does their work look like? The better you understand who is judging your work, the more strategically you can curate your contest entry. Stay true to your unique style and originality, but remain mindful of the judges' tastes.
6. Seek Constructive Feedback
Before submitting your entry, seek feedback from trusted peers or mentors. Their constructive criticism can help you refine your work further and identify any areas that may need improvement. Embrace feedback as an opportunity for growth and use it to polish your submission before the final submission deadline. Many competitions even offer a review of your work by one of the judges for small fee. Getting feedback from industry experts can be invaluable.
7. Make Sure The Prize Is Worth It
With so many competitions out there, each with its entry fee and application demands, choosing wisely becomes paramount. It's essential to invest your time and money in contests that excite you and feel genuinely rewarding. Time is precious, after all! Seek out competitions that offer multiple prizes for different category winners. The more chances to win within a single contest, the better! I also search for contests that offer the opportunity to showcase my work in spaces that once seemed unattainable or are being judged by artists is truly admire.
8. Showcase Your Unique Perspective
While there may be countless other entries, what sets yours apart is your unique perspective. Use your artistic voice to convey a distinct message and capture the attention of the judges. Showcasing your individuality and style will make your entry memorable and leave a lasting impression.
9. Create Work Specifically For The Competition
When you stumble upon a competition that truly excited you, why not go all out? Consider creating work specifically to enter in that competition. Take the tips I've shared earlier to heart: clearly understand the theme, dissect past winners' successes, and reearch the judges. Create something new that feels aligned with exactly what the competition is looking for.
10. Enter Multiple Contests
Lastly, don't limit yourself to just one contest. Enter multiple contests and embrace each experience as a learning opportunity. Analyze the results, feedback, and recognition received from each contest to refine your skills and approach for future entries. Each competition can help you grow as an artist or photographer, bringing you closer to achieving your goals.
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