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As a photographer, you know that finding creative ways to engage your audience and attract new clients is key to growing your photography business.
Have you tried this creative strategy yet? Host a magazine cover contest!
A magazine-style cover contest not only excites your target audience but also helps you grow your email list, boost your social media engagement (no more crickets when posting), and ultimately get more bookings.
A magazine cover contest taps into your audience’s love for recognition and friendly competition. It encourages high school seniors and parents to share your work (free marketing!). It builds engagement as people vote on the images, comment, and tag their friends (bonus - free referrals!) It helps you grow your email list by collecting contact information during the contents. It also positions you as a professional photographer.
Start with a professionally designed magazine cover template that aligns with your brand. You can find customizable templates in Canva, Photoshop, or purchase a pre-made one.
Make sure your cover:
📸 Features a bold, attention-grabbing title (e.g., "Senior of the Year," "Future Star," or "The Class of 2025 Cover")
📸 Has space for a stunning portrait of the contest winner
📸 Includes your logo and website for brand visibility
Here’s how to set up a successful contest:
🔹 Announce the contest – Create a social media post explaining the contest, rules, and prizes. Example:
"Want to be featured on our exclusive Senior Magazine Cover? Enter our contest for a chance to win a FREE mini-session and the spotlight on our digital magazine!"
🔹 Collect Entries – Have participants submit their best photo (or one you’ve taken of them) via a form on your website or social media. Require an email address so you can follow up later!
🔹 Encourage Voting – Upload the entries to a Facebook or Instagram post and ask people to vote by liking or commenting. More engagement = more exposure for your business!
🔹 Announce the Winner – Choose the senior with the most votes OR pick a winner yourself. Feature them on your professionally designed magazine cover and share it everywhere!
🔥 Follow up with all participants – Thank them for entering and offer a special discount on future sessions. Example:
"Even though you weren’t selected as the winner, I’d love to offer you a $50 discount on your senior session! Let’s create your perfect shoot."
🔥 Promote the cover everywhere – Post it on your website, blog, and social media. Tag the winner and encourage them to share.
🔥 Use the momentum for future bookings – If the contest is a hit, make it an annual event!
A magazine cover contest is a fun and effective way to boost engagement, attract new leads, and book more sessions. With the right magazine template, you can create a polished, professional cover that gets people excited about your brand.
Want an easy-to-use template to get started? Check out our Senior Magazine Cover Templates [insert link]!
Have you run a contest like this before? Let us know in the comments! 🎉