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Posted 11/27/2007 @ 6:53:00 am by photographyblogger.com
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Every freelancer should enter a contest or two at some point in their lives. However, certain contests are merely scams, and any photographer should watch out for the telltale signs of a less than legitimate contest.
First, if you ever have to pay any amount of money in order to be entered into a contest, do not enter. You shouldn?t be forced into sending any monetary funds to any organization ? no matter how popular it may seem. Next, protect your work. Find out what the company will do with you work once it is submitted ? believe it or not, many companies will keep your photograph and use it even if you do not win the competition, so watch out. Then, make sure that all your shots are copyrighted. Mark each photograph with a water mark, seal, or other distinguishing feature, and send the company a contract that details your rights to the photograph. Of course, some contests are perfectly legitimate.
Every year, National Geographic holds a photography contest for amateurs, and this competition can be a great segway into the world of photography. Also, you can find other legal contests by picking up a photography magazine, or contacting a local photographer in order to inquire (you would be surprised at how helpful others can be!). In fact, entering a widely publicized contest can really help a person to become a professional photographer in the long run. Only, make sure that you read all the fine print, and remember ? you should never have to pay to play.
