Many contests include a photogenic competition and you should definitely take advantage of this. Why? Because the judges will see your daughter’s photo before the contest begins, it will be the first opportunity for the contest judges to get a good look at your daughter, up close and in person. Because the contest photo is so important, most parents choose to have professional contest photographers take pictures.
With high gloss photos, numerous pictures are taken of your child while they have their hair and makeup done. You and the photographer choose a couple of the best photos, and these are enhanced to create a perfect image. The eyes generally become larger and their natural color may lighten. Tabs are also added. The lips become fuller, and the shape of the face may even change a bit. Skin is made to look flawless and every hair is in its place in the final product. With brilliant photos, some photographers have items that your child can use for the session. If not, or if you want more options, wear headbands, feathers, hats, fringe, jewelry, beads, or other embellishments.
Don’t worry too much about clothes. Only the tops of the shoulders and the face are seen in the final results. In fact, often just a piece of cloth is wrapped around the girl’s chest for a photo shoot. Almost anything bright and colorful will work. Nature photos are becoming more and more popular in competitions and are usually also taken by a professional photographer. These can be full body shots or head shots.
Popular themes for nature pageant photo attire include cowgirl, country, punk, and vintage. Some girls prefer to dress in gowns and take photos while holding flowers. Many nature contest photos are taken outdoors and some include props. These might include an old truck, a rustic fence, a pond or lake, an old building, or train tracks. For some reason, train tracks have become very popular as a background.
Generally speaking, the more creative the image, the higher your score. Photographs are scored on originality, natural beauty, and quality. Classic black and white photos can also be used for contest photos, both in the natural photography and gloss category. Of course, with these types of photos, you won’t have to worry about bright colors.
Instead, choose solid colors or fabrics with bold patterns. A good idea is to try a little of both in the photo session. Later, you will have more looks to choose from. If you’re serious about contests and want to be truly competitive, don’t skimp on the contest photos. Keep your photos current and up-to-date.
Find a photographer who has experience taking photos only for contests and see examples of their work before you hire them. If you don’t know enough about what judges typically look for in contest photos, don’t be afraid to ask the contest world for advice on selecting a winning photographer.
