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Chris Adval's picture

Photography Awards worth it?

I've noticed photography awards can be beneficial for your own self-confidence which can boast into more creativity in making more unique and outstanding levels of images. But as well boast your public image as a photographer to all types of clients, plus get more credibility from other industry leaders which can lead into other opportunities like sponsorship, workshops, etc. But as we know getting photography awards is not free. It's either an entry fee or/and cost of materials if its a gallery competition. Some competitions are free to enter but still cost of materials which I know is part of doing business.

I'd love to hear everyone's experience, especially those who are more established like from Fstoppers staff members if they'd like to share their experiences.

In my experience the awards was not mentioned by any of my clients, so I can't say if it was a deciding factor or not. But I'm one of those who may win a competition award but won't advertise the hell out of being "award winning" literally all over the place which to me seems like a cheesy marketing tactic.

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8 Comments

mmm I think advertising that you win a competition is part of marketing... Nothing wrong with it.. also entering competitions can give you instant benefits... like money (if you win) and promotion of you and your work... this has help me in some way.

I meant advertising it in every piece of advertising, redundant, plus what if everyone has won an award from no-name places like some online website that has 100 hits per month. Then every photographer is an award winning photographer, over advertising it makes seem like somewhere else is lacking by over compensating the fact someone is award winning. I think I'll advertise it if I won some national or international awards, not local.

I think it all depends on who your target market may be.

If someone just starting out (like me ) or even an established photographer in a small or local market wants to generate business in that particular market then advertising that I won a local award will be relevant and hopefully generate business. On the same token if my target market is national or even international then a national or international award will be more relevant to that market.

Having said all that it can also work to my detriment. If my advertising is targeted to a local market and I highlight a national or international award I may get the unintended consequence of giving the perception that I will too expensive and then never get the call. If national or international and I highlight a local award then perhaps the same reaction - no call.

The award itself has to be relevant to my audience within my target market. If my target market are Sarasota restaurants or food companies then highlighting I won a wedding related photography award may not get the intended response. When I first officially started my photography business with the intention of doing food photography I populated my website with lifestyle and portrait photos (which to be honest weren't up to par.) My "About" page talked about food photography and my experience as a chef but most of my photos were of anything but food. Needless to say I have since changed that.

Just to clarify, I have not won any wedding photography awards. It was added to support a point I was trying to make. Also, in a previous career I worked for over 15 years in product marketing for large tech companies selling worldwide and very small tech companies selling to very small niche markets.

Gotcha now, thanks for helping me understand the uses of having photography awards better! :-)

You can win picture of the day here for free ;)

I know that Lee lol. But I'd love your opinion on this, did you look out intentionally to join contests/competition for that "award" part to make yourself more credible or at least part to make yourself look more credible to the industry and especially to certain clients like advertising photography? Compared to those without the awards or any participation in them.

still waiting for it haha :)