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Guess what! Today’s the day. 🎉

The winners of this year’s Photographers I’d Like to Follow contest are officially out in the wild. With about 140 photographers submitting nearly 2,500 images, the talent pool was deep. We’ve named our Top 100 Photographers, including the Top 25 Boss Photographers and an additional 25 Top 50 Elite Photographers.

Win or lose, everyone who entered is getting an email today. If you don’t see yours, check your spam folder before you assume I forgot you. I didn’t.

To those selected, congratulations. You earned it. To those who weren’t, please don’t let it get in your head. The work this year was phenomenal. I didn’t see any images that weren’t sellable, strong, and worthy. On a different day or with a different judge, some of those decisions could have easily gone the other way.

And that ties in nicely with this week’s jam-packed issue. First, we’ve got some practical tips you can use to increase your odds the next time you enter a contest. In addition we have an article about attracting clients who actually match your style instead of whoever happens to find you first.

We’re also rolling out our brand-new Photographer of the Week feature, kicking things off with some outstanding images from Annie Marie, plus an image I love from Christopher Ginn that’s going to make you stop and stare.

Let’s dive in.

—Nick

This Week’s Question:
Now that the Photographers I’d Like to Follow contest deadline has passed, do you have any advice for submitting to photography contests in general?

Now that the dust has settled and submissions are closed, this is the perfect time to talk about contest strategy.

Because yes, there’s strategy.

A lot of photographers approach contests emotionally. They upload a handful of images they love, cross their fingers, and hope for the best. There’s nothing wrong with that. But if you want to consistently improve your odds, you have to think like a judge for a minute.

Here are some things that matter more than people realize (and some that will even save you some money).

1. 📋 Follow the rules. Closely.

If the rules say no black and white images, don’t submit black and white images. If they say no studio branding, remove your branding. If they say individual seniors only, don’t try to sneak in a group shot.

Judges and contest organizers are not sitting around debating whether to bend the rules for you. They disqualify and move on. It’s not personal. It’s procedural.

Following directions is the easiest competitive advantage available.

2. ✂️ Don’t submit five slightly different versions of the same image.

This is a strategy tip AND a money saver.

If you submit five versions of the same senior, in the same outfit, in the same location, in 5 slightly different poses (think look up, look down, look to the left, now laugh)... You didn’t submit five images. You submitted one image five times.

Pick the strongest frame and move on. Contests reward range, versatility, and decision-making. Showing that you can edit is less impressive than showing that you can choose your strongest image.

3. 🥇 Lead with your strongest image.

This one matters more than people think.

In most contests, images are sorted alphabetically by file name. That means your first couple images are likely the first impression.

If the first few images in your submission feel average, you’ve subtly framed the rest of your work as average before the judge even realizes it.

Make sure the first images they see are undeniable. Not “pretty good.” UNDENIABLE.

You don’t get a second first impression.

4. 🚫 Avoid clichés.

Judges look at a lot of photos. A LOT.

As you might imagine, the tenth image of a basketball player lying on the court using a ball as a pillow is not hitting the same way it did the first time someone tried it. The same goes for the eyes of a senior staring into the rearview mirror of their car, smoke bombs drifting through a field, confetti tosses, or whatever trend happens to be making the rounds this season.

If you’re going to submit something that’s been done before, there needs to be a unique angle, stronger storytelling, or a technical execution that truly elevates it. Otherwise, you’re not just blending in, you’re using up a submission spot on something that won’t stand out.

Fresh perspectives win.

5. 🔍 Sharp is not optional.

Don’t try to sneak in a slightly soft image because it “feels artistic.” Judges zoom in.

If the senior’s eyes are out of focus or the face isn’t tack sharp, the image is done. No matter how cool the concept is from far away.

Technical competence is the baseline. Creativity builds on top of it.

6. 📐 Follow sizing requirements.

If a contest asks for certain dimensions, give them those dimensions.

Magazine competitions especially need high-resolution files so they reproduce well in print. If you upload Instagram-sized files you pulled off your phone, they won’t hold up. That’s not a stylistic choice. That’s physics.

Don’t get eliminated over something preventable.

7. 🏷️ Name your files correctly.

Most contests spell out exactly how they want files named. Follow the instructions.

It sounds minor, but this is about professionalism. If you can’t follow the naming structure, it suggests you didn’t read the guidelines carefully. Judges notice patterns.

Again, easy competitive advantage.

8. 🎯 Submit with intention, not volume.

Most contests won't tell you this, but more images do not automatically equal better odds.

Twenty to thirty intentional images that show range, consistency, and strength will outperform fifty filler images every time.

Before submitting, ask yourself: 

• Does this image truly strengthen my overall submission?
• If I removed this one, would my portfolio look tighter?

Editing yourself is part of the competition.

9. 🖼️ Think like a curator, not a creator.

When you’re creating images, emotion drives decisions. When you’re submitting to contests, curation should.

Lay your images out side by side. Look at them as a body of work. Do they feel cohesive? Do they show variety? Do they demonstrate control of light in different situations?

Judges aren’t just picking pretty photos. They’re evaluating photographers.

10. 💬 Don’t take results personally.

This might be the most important one.

Not being selected does not mean your work isn’t good. It might mean:

• The category was saturated.
• The judges leaned a certain direction stylistically.
• Another image felt slightly stronger that day.

Contests are snapshots in time, not permanent verdicts on your talent. If you treat them as feedback instead of validation, you’ll grow faster.

Submitting to contests is part art, part strategy, and part self-awareness.

And if you consistently approach it with intention instead of emotion, you’ll not only improve your odds, you’ll improve your eye.

That’s the real win.

Have a burning question you want answered in a future column? Head over to www.seniorinspire.com/asknick. I’ll be there manning the phones and waiting for your questions...

This week we’re officially kicking off something I’ve been really excited about, our brand new Photographer of the Week feature.

And it feels only right that we start with a true SeniorInspire favorite. She’s one of those photographers who is so well known around here that, like Cher, she needs no last name.

Honestly, even though she has told me her last name multiple times, I still couldn’t tell you what it is. That may say more about me than her. I blame age. Or selective memory. Probably both.

Either way, when someone says “Annie Marie,” we all know exactly who we’re talking about.

This week we’re featuring Annie Marie of Minnesota, a photographer whose work has become instantly recognizable in this community. She brings style, confidence, and a whole lot of personality to every senior session, and she has absolutely earned this first spotlight.

Let’s take a closer look at the work and the photographer behind it.

Hey there!

Annie Marie here! So honored to have been chosen to be chosen Photographer of the Week! (Thanks Nick!)

Let me introduce myself. I am Annie (duh), and I have been in the photography business for over 30 years. I love it today as much as I did when I got started. It's something creative, new, and fresh every day. There might be a bit more "hustle" involved nowadays with an oversaturated industry and technology coming out of our ears... but the hustle is worth it. We photographers are built on hustle!

I am located in Minneapolis and serve the Twin Cities and burbs. My main focuses are high school seniors, headshots/branding, women's portraits, and fine art. Everything from crazy fun sessions frolicking in the fields with seniors to structured, styled, artful sessions... they all fuel my soul. I am currently "between" studios as I am in the process of selling/buying a home and want to create my studio space at my new home so I can own it and do whatever I want whenever I want. I have had large studios, teeny ones, studio shares, and everything in between. They ALL work, and I have enjoyed my journey and am looking forward to the next adventure.

I am also a graphic artist and offer logos, studio marketing templates, actions, and other goodies to photographers. You can check that out at www.anniemarieco.com. I also mentor and love helping photographers level up. I have a new YouTube channel that I will try to grow a bit this year... come visit me there at TheArtOfPhotographyWithAM. I also offer a LUXE Workshop every spring where I have a small group come in and we go in depth, learning about how to create artful images. It's an intense 3 days, but oh so fun!!!!

That's me in a nutshell. I love what I do. I love connecting with my photographer friends. I love growing my craft through workshops and education, and I love helping and guiding photographers in their journeys. Life is good!

Hey! Want to be considered for our Photographer of the Week feature? Head to www.seniorinspire.com/potw and submit your work.

Remember, you don’t have to be the loudest. You don’t have to have the biggest following. You just have to be doing good work and willing to share it.

Let’s start with a familiar feeling.

You book a senior. You’re excited. They show up to the session… and within five minutes you realize this may not be your person.

You love bold outfits and downtown textures. They brought a hoodie and want “something simple.” You shoot vibrant and punchy. They want soft and beige. You thrive on movement and personality. They want hands-clasped, yearbook energy.

It’s not that they’re wrong. It’s that you’re misaligned.

And here’s the hard truth: most photographers do not have a volume problem. They have an alignment problem.

You do not need more seniors. You need the right seniors.

Why This Happens

Most photographers unintentionally market too broadly. Your Instagram grid looks like five different photographers. Your website says something beautifully generic like “capturing memories that last a lifetime.” You post every type of session you shoot because you do not want to exclude anyone.

So you attract… whoever. And whoever is not a strategy.

When you try to appeal to everyone in town, you end up booking whoever happens to stumble across you first. That might work for a while. But over time, it gets exhausting.

Step 1: Get Ruthlessly Clear on Your Style

This is not just about presets or color grading.

Ask yourself:

• What type of sessions energize me?
• Which seniors felt effortless to photograph?
• Which ones drained me?
• What outfits, locations, and personalities do I secretly hope show up?

Your “style” is not just visual. It is energy. It is pacing. It is vibe.

If you love bold fashion and editorial posing, lean into that. If you love soft light and quiet confidence, own it. The goal is clarity, not versatility.

Your future marketing should look like your favorite past client.

Step 2: Curate, Don’t Showcase Everything

This is where photographers sabotage themselves.

One week you post edgy downtown seniors. The next week you post rustic fields. Then studio glamour. Then camo in the woods. Then a gym shoot. All beautiful. All wildly different.

Now no one knows what you specialize in.

Here is a simple rule: show what you want to shoot more of.

If you do not want ten camo sessions next year, stop featuring camo. If you want fashion-forward seniors, your feed should scream fashion-forward seniors.

Curation attracts clarity.

Step 3: Speak Directly to “Your” Senior

Generic marketing attracts generic results.

Instead of saying, “Now booking Class of 2027,” try speaking to a specific type of senior: “For seniors who want bold color, downtown vibes, and outfits that actually feel like you.”

Call out personality. Call out style. Call out experience. Specific messaging will repel the wrong fit. That is not a mistake. That is the point.

When you clearly define who you are for, the right seniors feel seen. And when people feel seen, they book.

Step 4: Make Sure the Experience Matches the Brand

If your marketing says fun, energetic, and expressive, but your inquiry emails feel cold and transactional, there is a disconnect.

Your brand is not just your photos. It is the entire experience, from first message to final delivery.

The right seniors are drawn to cohesive brands. When everything feels aligned, they trust you faster. And trust shortens the booking process.

The Hard Part No One Talks About

Sometimes the issue is not strategy. It is fear.

Photographers hesitate to narrow their style because they worry they will lose business. What if I scare people away? What if I limit myself?

But attracting the wrong clients costs more than you think. It costs energy. It costs confidence. It slows referrals because your sessions feel inconsistent.

When you consistently attract the right seniors, something powerful happens. They refer friends who look, dress, and think like they do.

Alignment compounds.

A Quick Reality Check

If you want to start shifting things immediately:

• Remove ten images from your website that do not represent your ideal work.
• Rewrite your bio to describe a specific type of senior.
• Post three sessions in a row that reflect your favorite vibe.
• Look at your last five bookings. Were they aligned?

If the answer to the last question is no, your marketing needs refinement, not more followers.

You cannot control who finds you first. But you absolutely control what they see when they do.

Attracting the right seniors is not luck. It is clarity.

Each week, I’m spotlighting one standout image from the thousands of senior photos we’ve featured over the years — in the magazine, on Instagram, and beyond. Whether it’s the light, the vibe, or just that unexplainable something, these are the images that made me stop and say, “Wow.” 

This week’s Why I Love This Image comes from Philadelphia photographer Christopher Ginn, and it is proof that sometimes less really is more. No elaborate set. No complicated wardrobe changes. No dramatic gestures. Just a face, mostly concealed, and a pair of eyes that stop you cold.

Let’s start there. The eyes.

The camouflage wrap does exactly what great styling is supposed to do. It eliminates distraction and directs the viewer with intention. Everything is muted, earthy, and quiet, except for those striking eyes. They pull you in immediately. There is strength there. Curiosity. Maybe even a hint of defiance. Whatever story you project onto her, you cannot look away.

And that is not an accident.

The camo fabric frames her gaze like a custom matte around a piece of art. By covering everything else, Christopher forces the viewer to engage with the one thing that matters most. Expression. It is a bold choice because it leaves nowhere to hide. When you isolate a subject this tightly, the eyes have to carry the image.

Here, they absolutely do.

What makes it even more compelling is the subtle contrast between the rugged hunting gear and the refined makeup we can see. Her lashes are defined. Her brows are shaped with precision. The skin we glimpse around her eyes is smooth and luminous. It creates this fascinating tension between toughness and elegance. Is she the hunter? Or something entirely different? That contrast gives the portrait depth beyond a simple headshot.

Color plays a huge role here as well. The earthy greens and browns of the camouflage blend beautifully into the dark, understated background. Nothing competes. Nothing screams for attention. The tones stay cohesive and grounded, which makes the cool brightness of her eyes stand out even more. It is controlled. Intentional. Clean.

Lighting deserves its own moment of appreciation. The light is soft and directional, shaping her eyes without flattening them. There is enough shadow to create dimension but not so much that detail is lost. You can see the texture of the fabric, the subtle highlights in her irises, and the careful falloff into the darker edges of the frame. It feels cinematic without being theatrical.

Compositionally, the tight crop is a smart move. There is no wasted space. The image feels intimate, almost confrontational in the best way. You are not observing her from afar. You are face to face. That proximity increases the emotional impact and keeps the focus exactly where it belongs.

If I had to sum it up, this portrait is a masterclass in restraint. It proves that you do not need elaborate props or sweeping landscapes to create something powerful. Sometimes all you need is thoughtful styling, precise lighting, and a subject who knows how to communicate through a single glance.

Christopher Ginn understood the assignment here. He stripped the frame down to its essentials and trusted the eyes to do the heavy lifting. They did not disappoint.

.

So yeah, that’s why I love this image.

Are you teaching a workshop on the horizon, I’d love to help you spread the word. NO CHARGE - No strings.

Just send me the details and a graphic, and I’ll get it in front of a bunch of senior photographers who might want in.

SeniorInspire the Newsletter goes out to about 2,500 senior photographers across the country, and nearly half of them actually open it (the rest are slackers who probably don't go to workshops either).

Anyway, just reply to this email with the details and a graphic, and I’ll get it in front of a bunch of senior photographers who might just want in.

Simple as that.

If you made it this far and have any opinions or ideas I'd love to hear it. Good, bad, whatever. Just hit reply or send me an email and let me know what you think. I love the feedback!

Thanks for reading all the way to the end... that was a long one, and if you stuck with it, I appreciate you more than you know.

This week’s Tune of the Week is “Black Betty” by Ram Jam. This was the song I’d blast before track meets way back in high school. It was the kind of song that made you feel faster than you actually were.

Years later, it became the song I’d crank in the car before senior shoots on 90-degree August afternoons when the light was harsh, the humidity was disrespectful, and the energy needed a serious boost.

Some songs just flip a switch. They don’t ask permission. They don’t ease you in. You just hit play and they say, “Let’s go.”

So whether you’re heading into a long edit, a big sales session, or your own version of a starting line... turn it up to eleven.

🎧 Black Betty – Ram Jam

See you next week. Bam-ba-lam.

Nick
SeniorInspire

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