Why Getting Competitive with Your Photography Will Help You Improve

Are photography contests worth your time? Can submitting your work really change your creative trajectory or confidence? Seth and Aaron sit down with photographer Neil Dankoff (@neildankoff), VIEWBUG CEO Ori Guttin, and Zach Hodges from VSCO to explore how photography contests go far beyond competing for prizes and likes, offering insight into your work, sharpening your skills, and pushing you to think outside the Instagram bubble.

From judging nuances to personal stories of life-changing wins, the conversation dives deep into what makes a photo stand out in a sea of submissions. Along the way, the guests share behind-the-scenes tips on building a photography career, the value of branching out to specialized communities like VIEWBUG and VSCO, and how contests can motivate you to experiment, grow, and reconnect with why you started creating in the first place.

Expect to Learn:

• Why the best photograph isn’t always the most technically perfect one.
• How contests can inspire you to reevaluate your portfolio and take creative risks.
• Why rejection is necessary feedback and valuable to your growth.
• How platforms designed for photographers differ from mainstream social media.
• Why we often mistake the effort invested in capturing a photograph as a reflection of the image's quality or value.
  
  

How to Enter the "My Best Frame" Photography Competition:
(You do not have to do both, just one!)

1. Visit the contest page on VIEWBUG: https://www.viewbug.com/contests/my-best-frame-photo-contest
   
   
2. Post your work on VSCO with the hashtag #MyBestFrame. Learn how here: https://vsco.co/vsco/journal/win-the-serengeti-trip-of-a-lifetime 

Contest Parameters:

• How to Enter: Submit your photo via VIEWBUG or post it on VSCO with the hashtag #MyBestFrame.
• Deadline: Submissions close on March 30th, 2025.
• Genres Allowed: Open to ALL genres.
• Number of Entries: Unlimited submissions allowed.
• Grand Prize: A 7-day luxury Serengeti safari for two valued at $20,000 courtesy of Elewana Lodge.
• Runner-Up Prizes: Annual VSCO Pro or VIEWBUG Platinum memberships for 10 runners-up on each platform.
• Ownership Rights: You keep all rights to your photos.

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Thanks for listening!
Go get shooting, go get editing, and stay focused.

@sethmacey
@mantis_photography
@thephotographermindset

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