Put Yourself Out There

When it comes to prestige and esteem in the world of photography I’m pretty sure that National Geographic is on the top of that list. To have images featured in a publication like that would be such an honor, it’s almost unfathomable. When I read about The Ultimate Photo Contest that they are hosting, along with Energizer and saw what the Grand Prize was, I was weak in the knees. A trip to the Galapagos Islands (for 2) with a National Geographic guide while the winning photo is featured in the magazine. Swooning on both accounts.

We all know what can happen when we put ourselves out there by sharing our passion and taking a chance on winning the jackpot. If anyone knows that trying can actually result in winning, it’s all of us here.

We often add contest links in our side notes here at Shutter Sisters to inform you of the photo contests we catch wind of. Like the Photography Book Now or the Images of the Year competitions. Consider our listings as gentle nudges to put yourself and your work out there! Many of you have enlightened us in our Flickr Pool discussionas well about contests, etc. Thank you for that. If there is ever anything that’s happening in the photo community that you want to bring to our attention you can email us too. We’re all ears.

And since I’ve still got National Geographic stars in my eyes I am thrilled to tell you that in light of The Ultimate Photo Contest they are giving away an adorable and cool USB Port Photo Print Scanner a subscription to National Geographic magazine and some Energizer Lithium Batteries to one lucky reader!

And don’t miss what the judge of the contest Jim Richards has to share. He’s got tips on photography and is even answering questions from the community. Something tells me, he knows what he’s talking about!

Leave your comment here for a chance to win today's cool prize package (you have until midnight on Monday to do so) and if you want to share a contest or something else that’s going on, we’d love to hear about it!

Comments

[CarrieJ]

I have already entered a photo :) An amazing contest! Can you just imagine!! THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS!!

[Charlane]

beautiful shots in NG - I grew up loving that magazine. As for me - I stare at southern living and the like and imagine being in there.

[Bridget R.]

A good Sister always pushes you to do more. Thanks for this post. Sometimes we let other things get in the way.

[Alicia]

I'm definitely going to make it a goal to find a photo contest or two to enter in the next few months! Thanks for sharing the information... Can't wait to do research and find out more!

[Sharon]

I definitely need a push, photographically. Thanks for sharing the National Geographic news and for your inspiring posts. I'm reading . . . now it's time to pick up the camera!

[deezee]

thanks for the heads up. yes, putting ourselves out there...

[gkgirl]

heh...
i push myself to get picked
for the daily pic
here
and that is pretty freakin' exciting to me...
i can't even imagine if i won something in National Geographic...
i guess they would have to scrape me off the ceiling.
haha.

love this website!!

[rachael s]

what an amazing contest!

[kristyk]

I love National Geographic. My grandpa had hundreds of them lining his shelves and I would look through them and dream...

[kosenrufu mama]

I love national geographic is magic and the images capture my eyes, always.
have a wonderful week end
http://esterdaphne.blogspot.com/2009/05/astrazione.html

[France]

Just found your website. Loving it! Classy, inspirational, loads of talent here. And thanks for bringing better contests like these to light, I always seem to hear about them to late to enter. not this time!

[Liz]

thanks for the heads up! i'm sticking to the "your shot" contest--much more on my strictly amateur level, and it happens monthly. :) but i do heart my national geos, every single month, and i'd love to win the subscription for a year! i'm the person in the lunch room who says things like, "did you know that so and so was likely framed in their historical portrayal of being a killer of all the baby boys in israel?", and forces her table mates to look at stunning photographs of river dolphins. :)

[Katy]

I completely agree with National Geographic being that pinnacle of photography. I used to pull pictures out of them for projects, decorating notebooks, collages, and just to tape to the wall.

As for photo contests, I recently got an honourable mention for one at my university ($25 - better than nothing!). It's going to be published in a calendar! http://www.flickr.com/photos/29536663@N04/2992286298/

[nikki]

Thanks for being such a great photo resource. I'm currently working on submitting to more contests and shows. Being published by National Geographic has been a long time dream of mine...

[Erin]

There's no way I could even win a trip to the Galapagos... without this scanner, heh. No really, thanks for the heads up on both these contests.

[Jenny Rebecca]

I grew up on that magazine and love that my parents still have a whole bunch of old ones on their bookshelf.

[shelli - mama of letters]

I love National Geographic too. My father used to subscribe for years, and he kept all the issues. We have subscribed in recent years too, although while watching our budget, we had to cut down on magazine subscriptions.

I do have a little bit of news of my own! For the first time, I'm going to try selling some of my photography prints, postcards and a photography book at an upcoming event nearby. I'm so excited I could burst. It's not so much about how much I sell, but I'm just excited that I'm getting out there and doing this. I thank Shutter Sisters for getting me back into photography in the first place!

http://web.me.com/pabis/Mama_of_Letters/Blog/Entries/2009/5/23_Harris_Homestead_Photo_Book.html

[sarah]

wow-- don't think I'm anywhere near National Geographic quality, but those prizes are certainly tantalizing!

[camerashymomma]

i'm putting myself back out there today. everyone now and then i wake up with open eyes and a rush, a desire to send certain images out to certain publications. synchronicity! you never know unless you try. try, try again.

[Sue Henry]

Well....you've got me sifting through many, many images trying to determine what would be a good entry. Thanks for the continual inspiration and motivation to challenge ourselves to reach higher and higher!

[Amber Roussel]

Thanks for the tip Shutter Sisters. Also, National has a great coffee table book called Throught the Lens. It makes a fabulous gift for someone else (or for you) :-) Now....I wanna win!

[melissa]

thanks for the inspiration and the nudges.... sometimes it's so overwhelming to even *start* sifting through things, but i'm diving in this time...

[caroline]

wow, I love this blog, what a fab motivational post for someone like myself who no way feels good enough or experienced enough ..well why not! how fab! :)

[Cristi]

One of the scariest things I've ever done is enter photos in a contest, but I have to admit that it was a process which made me take a more serious look at what I come up with looking through a camera.

[CHRISSY GUIDO]

THANKS FOR THE GREAT CONTEST INFO! OFF TO SUBMIT!

[Andy]

Great idea...

[Just Jinny]

One of my photos was recently printed in the local paper. Front page, top of the fold. I was pretty proud.

And just yesterday I put up some of my photos up for sale at etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5261059

[Darla]

I love entering contests, the possibility of winning is exciting. Thanks for the information.

[sandy]

I will admit to being pokey about entering contests - my mind says "yes," but I get distracted by other things. Thank you for nudging..yet again. I am going to do it! But which one?!

[Elaina]

Thanks for the post. I've never even considered entering a contest. Mostly because I don't think my photos are good enough...lol. But, I appreciate the encouragement that the community here provides because it boosts my confidence in increasingly larger doses. :) And maybe soon I will...

[ELK]

i click away everyday because it makes me happy...surely not even close to the wonderful images I see at Nat'l Geographic or Shutter Sisters for that matter...such talented and visionary women.

[mary]

Thanks for being such an inspiration -- you guys are the best!

[The Glamorous Life Association]

Recently while looking at a National Geographic with my boys, I said "this is what I wanted to be when I grew up"...they looked puzzled."I wanted to be a photographer for National Geographic". My youngest said "you still should mom. When you grow up" and my 10 yr old said "she Already is grown up! Now she has to wait till WE grow up!"

Thanks for sharing this contest with me...

[summer]

Thank you for sharing this contest. I love the encouragement I find here to get off my butt and work at this thing I love so much.
I entered a photo but can't even begin to imagine seeing it in print anywhere, none the less NG!

[Marcie]

T'would be a dream and an honor to win this photo contest!!! Thanks for sharing and encouraging me to put myself ou there.
Y'just never know until you try?!?!?

[melanie]

Can you even begin to imagine all the stunning photos that judge gets to sift through -- what a task to pick a winner out of what is sure to be an enormous amount of fabulous entries! And the prize? I don't have words to describe just how awesome and phenomenal that honor would be.

[Davielle Huffman]

I can say this ... I don't want to visit the Galapagos, but I WOULD dearly love to have THAT HORSE looking over a fence in MY YARD, for the rest of our lives. That, and that USB Port Photo Print Scanner !!! :-) me, I'm just about good enough to keep posting to BEST SHOT MONDAY ... I had a great-great Uncle that was a staff photogapher for NATIONAL GEO back in the day ... but I have none of his work any more. Anyway - thanks for letting us all know, and I WILL TAKE THAT HORSE OFF YOUR HANDS should s/he ever need a forever home. Giddy up ...

[Kate at LIttle House Monday]

The contest thing is still a little scary... its the putting yourself out there to be 'judged' I suppose. I needed this push, and possibly one or two more..but I'll get there some day :)

[Ali]

Loved reading about the contest. Recently found your site and I love it. You've truly inspired me!

[abby]

maybe some day....

[kayla]

the images in national geographic are incredible!!!

thanks for the giveaway!

[Puna]

National Geographics is a dream. I would love to get the scanner, sounds really handy!

[Linda Jacobs]

I'm liking this site more and more every day! Thanks for all the informational articles! As a "baby" photographer, I learn something new every time I come here!

[Gayle]

Wow! What a contest!

[Shawna]

I cannot, in my wildest dreams, imagine getting a shot into National Geographic. They really are the pinnacle in my eyes.

[Diane]

Okay, you've convinced me -- I'll actually put myself out there for the NG contest. Why not!? I have posted at SS in the past and recently about other contests. I love that everyone shares -- love that.

Galapagos Island!! Oh man oh man oh man ...

[Sara]

Cool contest!

[kaley]

thanks for the tip! i entered the canadian version of the contest at Canadian Geographic and can't wait to see
the results :)

[Jane]

wowzer! thanks for the heads up on the contest! love the horse with his perky ears. :) Keep up the great work on this site. I learn SO MUCH!

[kellie h]

iI can always count on you guys to let us know what is goin' on =) Contests are fun, huh? Winning prizes is funtoo =)