Shutter Sisters

Put Yourself Out There

By

 

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

  2. 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.

  4. 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!

  5. 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!

  7. 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!!

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

  11. 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!

  12. 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. 🙂

  13. 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/

  14. 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…

  15. 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.

  17. 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

  18. wow– don’t think I’m anywhere near National Geographic quality, but those prizes are certainly tantalizing!

  19. 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.

  20. 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!

  21. 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!

  22. 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…

  23. 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! 🙂

  24. 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.

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

  29. 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?!

  30. 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…

  31. 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.

  33. 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…

  34. 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!

  35. 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?!?!?

  36. 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.

  37. 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 …

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

  43. 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!

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

  46. 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 …

  48. thanks for the tip! i entered the canadian version of the contest at Canadian Geographic and can’t wait to see
    the results 🙂

  49. 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!

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

  51. This looks like a wonderful contest. I started entering a few years ago and you really do build a sense of community when you are in it with other people.

  52. It’s one thing to be published on a nearly daily basis for work, or even contracted services, but when I entered the Cowboys & Indians annual photography contest this past December and then made it into the honorable mention category, wow! That’s a feeling that is out of this world. Just seeing your image next to your name in a well respected publication is the best feeling. Thanks for letting us know about the contest. Off to check it out!

  53. heck!! I just barly found you wonderful talented people this week…. I feel so behind — i will be spending hours just going through all your fantastic examples of brilliance.

    Thanks for being here to start my inspirations.

    TTFN~~Claudia

  54. I love National Geographic! My 8yr daughter and I really enjoy National Geographic Kids. I think they are 2 of the best magazines and they also display so much eye candy of different sites around the world that can be enjoyed from young to old!

  55. I’ve tried repeatedly to sign up for the Nat. Geo. photo contest and can’t get past step 1. I fill out all my info and submit and then nothing happens. I’ve even tried the setting where I already have an account, but can’t remember my password and they don’t have any record of me. It has been very frustrating and yes I’m pouting. I’d love to win the giveaway here, though! My mouse needs new batteries right now. =)

  57. I’ve been debating which pictures to submit to this contest for quite a bit now. Thanks for reminding me I better make a selection!

  58. I really appreciate all the inspiration I find here in every single post. I recently had three photos with haiku put up in a local art show. A scary but proud experience!

  60. i have been tryig harder this year to put myslef out there. to accept when someone calls me a "photographer" it still seems so strange to me, i almost always look over my shoulder, like who me???? yes right me. thank you for the encouragement and the safe place to feel like i belong.

  63. I love Shutter Sisters and all the inspiration and information..THANKS SO MUCH!

  65. National Geographic has been a constant in my life. It is more than just a compilation of beautiful and striking photos: it is a window to the world we often forget outside of our own. Whomever wins the trip is one lucky person.

  68. Thanks for always sharing such great inspiration. I think we all need extra encouragement and inspiration to try something different once in a while. You are great!!

  70. This is so cool. I grew reading this magazine. And now my dad reads this to my three boys. I love and hope this brings them fond memories.

  72. I love this site, and this is a fantastic opportunity. I’ve just joined the flickr group too, looking forward to sharing and exploring even more photography 🙂

  73. I have loved National Geographic since I was kid, when I was little I was totally mesmerized by the photos and now I enjoy the articles too! They had some fantastic free podcasts on iTunes a while back as well.

  74. Thank you so much for the continued inspiration and motivation to challenge myself. I find that I constantly compare my work to other photographers that I admire (which can be very depressing!) so I am going to attempt to stop doing that and just be the best photographer that I can be! We can be our own worse enemy and are all too often too hard on ourselves and our creative visions. I am going to start putting myself out there and start entering my images in contests! You will never know if you don’t ever give it a try right?

  75. My mom sent me a link to this contest a week ago and has asked me every day now, if I have entered my photo……that would be a no, not yet. Now reading this, I guess I should. Two nudges are just too much to ignore:)

  76. I’m just finding your blog and loving everything I’ve read so far…looking foward to learning more about Shutter Sisters and it’s community. National Geographic was probably one of the first magazines that made me appreciate photography, you gotta love it!

  81. I agree – National Geographic photos always inspire me!! That is a cool prize!

    Thank you for creating this community for us – I love your advice, pep talks and the shares :))

  83. My mind is racing for entering a picture, but how do I pick…thanks for all the info all the time!

  84. the shutter sisters here oooh la laaaa I have to say how much this place inspired me and I’m so glad I found all of you!

  85. i’m trying to make my big dream happen by asking everyone i know to let me take their photos. waaay out of my comfort zone, but someone’s bound to agree, right?

  87. This is on my list of 101 things. So far, I haven’t really taken out time to focus on this, just kind of an idea that stays in the back of my mind. Fortunately I have a little while to go before my 1001 day deadline. 🙂

  89. my dad had years of NGs on the shelf when we were growing up. I wish I still had them. They were donated years ago tot he local elementary school. Sadly they probably got all cut up for some kindergarten collage project.

  90. Thank you for the inspiration. I recently purchased my first DSLR and have been so thrilled to get back into photography again and find this blog – although it feels like I’m starting all over again since all my old tricks from film photography aren’t serving me quite as well with a digital.

    I went ahead and entered a photograph in the NG contest – taken with an old point and shoot two years ago on my trip to Peru. I can’t believe I did it – but I think the entering matters more than winning. I’ll be going to the GI this December on my own, so will be hopefully getting more great shots for next year’s contest!

  92. Wow! I’m no where near this kind of quality – but a contest is a contest :o)

  96. It’s always tough putting your work out there – especially after you view the incredible amount of photography talent on the web alone. Thank you for creating an environment where it’s safe to share the photos that we love – even if we question whether others will.

  97. Since happening upon this website, I have learned so much. I’m still such a newbie to this fascinating world of photography, but I find your site helps to build my confidence. I have only entered one contest so far – did not win – but sites such as yours encourage me to continue to try. Thank you for being there.

  98. Thanks for mentioning the contest. I "put myself out there" and entered a photo too.

  99. national geographic magazine is what made me want to learn photography. as a little girl i wanted to travel the globe and photograph unheard stories, releasing them to the world. what can i say, i still dream of that 🙂