Hey James, thanks for posting this. I never really subscribed to these contests. I validate my work when I get more and more work and clients. I know photographers who wouldn't classical have a great portfolio, but get lots of work because they are really great people and their clients love to work with them. Seems like a much better validation than subjecting artwork to being judged by subjective people who don't really matter to your career or paycheck.
Hey James that was so refreshing to see and hear. Thank you. I used to submit images to high school senior accounts to get “featured” in their magazines. You’d have to pay a few dollars per image submission, and if your image is picked, you’d have to buy the print magazine for $30-$40! It sounded so cool to be featured and the clients and parents usually got really excited about it. But when you take a step back and think of how much the “magazine” costs and all the money spent on submissions, it’s just ridiculous.
@@QuantzPhoto When I first started, all the photos that I submitted that were featured really did seem cool. But at the same time, what do you think it did to my confidence when so many of my other photos didn’t get featured? It was horrendous. And then to see the ones that actually made it into the magazine that I felt were way inferior to my work really was a punch to the gut. And then I realized, ultimately, who really cares if my images are featured or not? As long as my clients love my work, that’s most important. Because no matter what happens with a contest, it’s the client who has to be happy with my work. Don’t get me wrong - some photographers live off being featured and supposedly seniors flock to them because they all want to “get published”. All the power to them. Maybe in other areas, the kids like that. But where I am, many kids would rather post iPhone selfies taken during the session rather than the edited session photos. Lol.
I came to the same conclusion with the PDN magazine competition - especially since it was also a rights grab. I think it was a new publisher that started running the competitions, but it was an excellent magazine for years prior with an excellent editor.
It's like you know what we are thinking about and you make a video on the topic. Thank you for making these videos and sharing your thoughts/experiences with us. Great advice! I would pay for a portfolio review to get some real criticism on my work but I don't know where/how to find it.
Thanks Kim, a lot of industry shows will have them on site and you can do a google search for "photography portfolio reviews" and I'd guess you 'd find some results there.
I have never had a client ask me if I have won any awards, and I have never had a client ask me what camera equipment I use. Never. I just show them or send them to my online portfolio aka website.
I was wondering about the validity of comps. It’s like you enter once then you get barraged with emails for ever after. I have stopped entering now and have removed my comp history from my website. 😮
You're just the same as everyone else who does these clickbait "don't enter contest" videos. You don't actually run a contest and you're not presenting objective facts. Firstly, competitions are not responsible for a photographers success. It's the photographer's responsibility. Secondly, I run a highly respected national contest and those who enter DO benefit. We are backed by environmental organisations and trusts and they don't back scammers. We surveyed the needs of photographers 10 years ago and based the contest around this. Lots of photographers benefit. Specifically, exhibiting their work, showcasing them in a book and huge media presence. Most photographers can't afford £10K to produce a book or £20k to host an exhibition that attracts all the industry movers and shakers. We use the funds from fees to do exactly that and 150-200 photographers hae their work on display for a £30 fee. Do the math as you say in the USA. So, instead of tarring all competitions with the same brush, present some objective facts and balance your argument. Don't brand them all as money making schemes. Because that isn't true.
Hey James, thanks for posting this. I never really subscribed to these contests. I validate my work when I get more and more work and clients. I know photographers who wouldn't classical have a great portfolio, but get lots of work because they are really great people and their clients love to work with them. Seems like a much better validation than subjecting artwork to being judged by subjective people who don't really matter to your career or paycheck.
Great advice. Appreciate your perspective!
Thanks Stephen!
In my next life I want to be like you, meanwhile I'll just watch your videos.
🤣
James, another great video and great advise. Thanks!
Thanks Chris!
Hey James that was so refreshing to see and hear. Thank you.
I used to submit images to high school senior accounts to get “featured” in their magazines. You’d have to pay a few dollars per image submission, and if your image is picked, you’d have to buy the print magazine for $30-$40! It sounded so cool to be featured and the clients and parents usually got really excited about it. But when you take a step back and think of how much the “magazine” costs and all the money spent on submissions, it’s just ridiculous.
Yes the fleecing of photographers at work...
@@QuantzPhoto
When I first started, all the photos that I submitted that were featured really did seem cool. But at the same time, what do you think it did to my confidence when so many of my other photos didn’t get featured? It was horrendous. And then to see the ones that actually made it into the magazine that I felt were way inferior to my work really was a punch to the gut. And then I realized, ultimately, who really cares if my images are featured or not? As long as my clients love my work, that’s most important. Because no matter what happens with a contest, it’s the client who has to be happy with my work.
Don’t get me wrong - some photographers live off being featured and supposedly seniors flock to them because they all want to “get published”. All the power to them. Maybe in other areas, the kids like that. But where I am, many kids would rather post iPhone selfies taken during the session rather than the edited session photos. Lol.
Well said James!! I avoid them like them like the plague.
I came to the same conclusion with the PDN magazine competition - especially since it was also a rights grab. I think it was a new publisher that started running the competitions, but it was an excellent magazine for years prior with an excellent editor.
Exactly, my bank account is my critique. I’m into winning “green” awards 😊
1000% agree!
It's like you know what we are thinking about and you make a video on the topic. Thank you for making these videos and sharing your thoughts/experiences with us. Great advice! I would pay for a portfolio review to get some real criticism on my work but I don't know where/how to find it.
Thanks Kim, a lot of industry shows will have them on site and you can do a google search for "photography portfolio reviews" and I'd guess you 'd find some results there.
Well Said. Seems like word of mouth seems to be the biggest seller, secondly social media exposure.
Agreed!
James, fantastic advice nice one
Thanks Paul!
I have never had a client ask me if I have won any awards, and I have never had a client ask me what camera equipment I use. Never. I just show them or send them to my online portfolio aka website.
GREAT ADVICE AS ALWAYS
Thanks Don!
Thanks James
Your Talent is suburb
Hola Sr. James, solo quiero que sepa que lo admiro mucho y me encanta su estilo, para mi es usted inspiración!! Saludos desde Monterrey, México. 🙌
Gracias!
I was wondering about the validity of comps. It’s like you enter once then you get barraged with emails for ever after. I have stopped entering now and have removed my comp history from my website. 😮
Where can I send you a photo I did ?
If you have to pay for the contest, it's just fleecing the photographer. Avoid at all costs.
I took 3rd once in something.
100yrd dash? 🤣
@@QuantzPhoto I was 4th in that..haha
Hi sir i am trinadh editing designer
Ok good
You're just the same as everyone else who does these clickbait "don't enter contest" videos. You don't actually run a contest and you're not presenting objective facts. Firstly, competitions are not responsible for a photographers success. It's the photographer's responsibility. Secondly, I run a highly respected national contest and those who enter DO benefit. We are backed by environmental organisations and trusts and they don't back scammers. We surveyed the needs of photographers 10 years ago and based the contest around this. Lots of photographers benefit. Specifically, exhibiting their work, showcasing them in a book and huge media presence. Most photographers can't afford £10K to produce a book or £20k to host an exhibition that attracts all the industry movers and shakers. We use the funds from fees to do exactly that and 150-200 photographers hae their work on display for a £30 fee. Do the math as you say in the USA. So, instead of tarring all competitions with the same brush, present some objective facts and balance your argument. Don't brand them all as money making schemes. Because that isn't true.