General Photo Contest tips

from Jellybean & Triehouse

We will not under any circmstances tolerate bad sportmaship.  Please understand that photo contest are a competition, meaning someone wins and many other will lose. This is a fact. We will not answer any emails complaint period.

Scores are not given out. We trust our judges and by entering our contest(s) you are placing your trust in our judges. We have been successfully running contests for years and have this down to a science. There are many contests to choose from, this is how we choose to run ours.

We do this for fun, as a hobby. Although we run mostly pay contests WE do not make anything. We are the middle man. We take in the money and redistribute it to the winners. All of the work that comes with the contest is done for free.  We do this because we enjoy it and you enjoy it.  Please be considerate of our time and allow us the time to do our jobs properly. This means time to post photos and post winners.

RE: Natural Photos. We at Jellybeans and the Triehouse DO NOT consider basic photo editing wrong. We know all photos can benifit from lightening/brightening/red-eye removal. We encourage you to buy or download a basic editing program and learn it. You will be amazed at the resources you can find on the web that will help improve your photos.

We also encourge your to push yourself to your photograpy limits. This does not mean expensive cameras or equipment. This means taking the time to set up a "photo shoot" with your child and trying to get the best photos possible. Again, there are countless sites online dedicated to helping out with your photography skills.

TIPS FOR NATURAL CONTEST

Make sure the area is clutter free around/behind the child. Photos showing a messy living room or dirty dishes take the focus off your child and will not do well in a natural contest.

No red eye.

Make sure face is clean.

Make sure hair is nice and styled.

Clothing should be clean and neat.

Try not to shoot photos in direct sunlight, photos in the shade work best.

Try something different. Try a new chair, a new pose, get down on a child's level. Have fun.

From Director Leslie of Jellybeans

We run a variety of contests at Jellybeans. Some of the contests (like the having fun contest) do not take photo quality into account. So feel free to enter any and all photos. However I do recomend follwoing the "Tips" when entering our monthly natural contest. Just check the criteria for each contest, I will make it clear if "anything goes" or if we are looking for specifics.

From Mama Bean at the Triehouse