Create Your Own Photography Contest

By Karimah Henry

Jun 16, 2023

30 min activity

Before they head to the Big Gathering in Anchorage, Molly and her friends make many preparations. At the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention, Alaska Native people share their heritage and culture by displaying arts and crafts, making favorite recipes, and performing traditional dances. Many people also participate by entering contests!

In the “Picture Perfect” episode, Tooey has trouble selecting a photo to enter into the photography contest. The “Most Alaskan” photo competition has three rules. Tooey reads the rules aloud with his friends:

Big Gathering Rules for “Most Alaskan” Photo Competition

1. Photos will be judged on Alaskan spirit.

2. Photos must have a unique point of view.

3. Submissions due September 15 at 6 pm.

By reading the rules together, they are able to evaluate which photos fit the rules. In the end, Tooey submits a photo that captures the spirit of his community at a pizza party!

Spend time as a family by creating a photography contest of your own! You can use the photo contest rules as a way to choose a photo for a holiday card, postcard or to convince others to join them on your next trip. First, come up with rules for the contest and write them down. Then, select the photo that fits the rules the best to share with family and friends as a holiday card or fun post on social media. You can also create a photobook to keep all of the photo entries to look at together later!

Materials

Paper
Pencil, pen, or marker
Camera
Crayons and markers (optional)

Directions

As a group, come up with a title and rules for your contest. Keep in mind why you need to select a photo to create rules that will help you focus on a theme. Help your child make a list of rules by brainstorming together. Then write down the rules in a list, making sure to number them 1, 2, and 3. Add a title at the top of your list that explains what the photo entries should capture.

Here are a few examples:

Rules for the “Funniest Thing Happened” Photo Competition

Photos will be judged on how they show a funny moment or memory.
Photos should include a hidden random object.
Submissions are due before dinner.

Rules for the “Favorite Story” Photo Competition

Photos will be judged on how they relate to a favorite story.
Photos should include family members, pets, or stuffed animals.
Submissions are due before 6pm.

Once the rules are ready, share them with the whole family. Read the rules together and ask questions, such as, “Does everyone understand the rules?” “Does anyone need help understanding?”

Take photos individually or as a group. For example, each member of the family has a chance to take a photo on their own, or they can team up with someone else for ideas. If someone in your family would like to take a family photo, figure out unique places to place your camera and set a timer. Give everyone enough time to take at least 3 photos before the deadline. If you don’t have a camera, you can still participate by drawing pictures that fit the rules!

When everyone is ready, share photos by looking at them on your camera or by printing them out at home or the library. Talk about which photos follow the rules and why. Ask your child questions about why they took their photos. How do the photos follow the rules? Do any photos not follow the rules? How do they fit the theme and fulfill the purpose of the contest?

Pick a photo that follows the rules the best and share it with family and friends. Print copies of the photo entries and create a photo book to look at later.