- 1. Caption a Photo<\/a><\/li>
- 2. Upload Your Best Selfie<\/a><\/li>
- 3. Design Your Own Photoshoot<\/a><\/li>
- 4. Create a Photo Story<\/a><\/li>
- 5. Submit the Best Event Photos<\/a><\/li>
- 6. Partner With a Relevant Brand<\/a><\/li>
- 7. Ask for the Best Family Photo<\/a><\/li>
- 8. Show Off Your Photo Editing Skills<\/a><\/li>
- 9. Vote for the best Boudoir Shoot<\/a><\/li>
- 10. Expectation Vs. Reality<\/a><\/li>
- 11. Photos to Raise Awareness<\/a><\/li>
- 12. Before and After Transformation Photos<\/a><\/li>
- 13. Your Favorite Concert Photos<\/a><\/li>
- 14. Create a Timelapse Photo<\/a><\/li>
- 15. Showcase Your Home Town in Photos<\/a><\/li>
- 16. Best Happy Accident Snaps<\/a><\/li>
- 17. Funny Pet Portraits<\/a>
- <\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n
- Increase product and promotion discovery<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Reach a broader target audience<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Generate new leads and potential sales<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Drive traffic to your business website<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Increase social media followers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Before we get into the ideas, here\u2019s a quick look at how to run a photo giveaway that actually attracts your ideal clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to Run a Photography Giveaway<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The easiest way to run a successful photography giveaway is to ask people to submit a photo to enter\u2014like a selfie, a themed portrait, or a creative snapshot. This turns your contest into a source of user-generated content (UGC)<\/a>, which you can share to promote your brand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because photo submissions take effort, you\u2019ll naturally attract people who care about your work, not just freebie seekers. That means more engagement, better leads, and a higher chance of turning participants into paying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are the basic steps for running your giveaway:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Pick a photo theme your audience will love<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Choose an entry method (upload a photo, tag a friend, etc.)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Set a clear deadline and prize<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Promote the giveaway on social media and email<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Collect entries and pick a winner<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
You can set everything up easily using a tool like RafflePress<\/a>, the best WordPress giveaway plugin, where people can enter, share your contest, and even earn bonus entries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"rafflepress](\"https:\/\/rafflepress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/photo-contest-email-bonus-entry.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHere\u2019s a step-by-step guide on how to run a photo contest in WordPress<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Creative Photography Giveaway Ideas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Now let\u2019s walk through some creative photography giveaway ideas to increase your sales<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Caption a Photo<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Running a photo caption contest is a fun way to introduce your brand to your target audience. All you need to do is share a photo and ask participants to submit their best caption to go with it. Then you can reward the funniest or most imaginative caption with a prize like a discounted photoshoot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chances are you have tons of photos lying around from old shoots you could use to caption. So why not dig them out and do something fun with them?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/rafflepress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/caption-photo-contest.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nSharing those snapshots gives potential customers an idea of what it\u2019s like to work with you. Caption contests<\/a> are the perfect way to promote your giveaway<\/a> on visual social networking sites like Instagram and Pinterest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Upload Your Best Selfie<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Another idea for your photography giveaway is to get users to submit a selfie in return for an entry. Selfies are perfect for running a giveaway on Instagram<\/a> since that\u2019s the birthplace of the classic selfie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even better, you can use your contest to promote your Instagram profile by asking users to visit your profile or view a post or video in exchange for bonus entries. This approach will raise awareness for your brand on Instagram and draw attention to your photography business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Run](\"https:\/\/rafflepress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/selfie-contest-promotional-graphic.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nTo seal the deal, you could offer a professionally edited and framed selfie to the winner. This will highlight both your photography and editing services to future customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Design Your Own Photoshoot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If you want to get more creative, give participants the task of designing their own photoshoot. Ask them to plan out their dream shoot, complete with props and a theme. Then get them to upload their photo via your giveaway widget. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To create excitement about the contest, include bonus entries for sharing it with a friend. In return, the winner can have their photoshoot brought to life for free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Photography](\"https:\/\/rafflepress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/design-your-own-photoshoot.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nOnce the giveaway is over and you\u2019ve finished the photo shoot, don\u2019t forget to share the results on your website and social media channels. Doing so will make people eager to join your next giveaway for fear of missing such an awesome prize.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Create a Photo Story<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Another creative photo contest you can run is where users have to create a narrative with their photos. Get participants to send a series of photos that tell a visual story for a chance to win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Run](\"https:\/\/rafflepress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/photo-story-contest.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nTo keep the momentum going during your giveaway, highlight submissions in slideshows on your social media networks. And to keep track of conversations about your business, tag your giveaway posts with a branded giveaway hashtag<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Consider transforming the winning photo story into a framed storyboard. This would be a great keepsake for the winning entry while highlighting your framing services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Submit the Best Event Photos<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
As a photographer, you likely cover plenty of events and want to advertise that service to your customers. One way to do that is to run a contest for users to submit photos<\/a> they\u2019ve taken at different events. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Event](\"https:\/\/rafflepress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/event-photography-contest.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIt could be events like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Business training events<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Sporting events<\/a> like basketball matches<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Community events<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Fundraisers and charity events<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
The winning entry could receive tickets to another event or a photography class to help them brush up on their skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To spread the word about your giveaway, ask entrants to share their submissions on social media and tag the photographed event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6. Partner With a Relevant Brand<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s no rule saying you have to run your photography giveaway solo. Many successful brands partner with relevant companies to ease the load and improve their reach. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Partner](\"https:\/\/rafflepress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/photography-giveaway-bundle.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFor example, photographers could team up with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Camera equipment brands<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Event venues<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Printing services<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Local news stations<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Colleges and universities<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Sports clubs, etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
To get the most entries, make the giveaway easy to enter. You could ask users to leave a comment, sign up for your newsletter<\/a>, or even follow you on social media. Then you can choose a winner randomly to keep things fair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As for the prize, consider putting together a prize bundle of goods and services from you and the brand you partner with. For instance, if you\u2019re partnering with a sports club, you could offer a bundle of sporting goods with a professional team photo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7. Ask for the Best Family Photo<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A change in the seasons is a great excuse to snap a new family photo. And running a giveaway for the most creative examples is a fun way to get your audience involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Photography](\"https:\/\/rafflepress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/family-photo-contest.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nTry to make this photography giveaway idea as exciting as possible by giving the photo a theme. You could take advantage of Christmas by asking for family Christmas card photos. Or you could choose a fall theme complete with pumpkins and Halloween costumes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can reward the best entry with a hefty discount for your services or a seasonal photo opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
8. Show Off Your Photo Editing Skills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
This photo contest idea gets people to use their imagination. Let their creativity run wild by theming your giveaway around the best-edited photo submissions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/rafflepress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/photo-editing-contest.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nYou could judge the contest based on different editing categories, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Most professional-looking touch-ups<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Most imaginative editing<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Best use of filters<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Best portrait, and so on.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Since this idea takes a lot of work to enter, make sure the prize you offer is worth the effort. Otherwise, you could end up with fewer submissions than you\u2019d like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Take a look at these proven contest prize ideas<\/a> for inspiration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
9. Vote for the best Boudoir Shoot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Valentine\u2019s Day<\/a> is the perfect time to promote your boudoir photo services. So consider running a photo contest that requires users to submit their best amateur boudoir snaps to enter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
After collecting all the submissions, get your audience to vote for the winner. This is a fun way to boost interactions on your giveaway and attract more participants. This is because entrants will be getting friends and family to vote with the hopes of winning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For you, that means more eyes on your brand, improving the chances of gaining new customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
10. Expectation Vs. Reality<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Ever seen those posts where people fail miserably at recreating a Pinterest masterpiece? Well, there\u2019s your next photography giveaway idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Expectation](\"https:\/\/rafflepress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/expectation-vs-reality-giveaway.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAn expectation vs. reality photo contest is a light-hearted way to poke fun at our perfectionism. Plus, it\u2019s a fun way to introduce people to your brand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Consider offering 2 different prizes for the best and worst submissions. That way, you celebrate everyone\u2019s skill level without coming across as elitist. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
11. Photos to Raise Awareness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
We all have a charity or cause that\u2019s close to our hearts. So what better way to draw attention to them than running an awareness photo contest?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At first glance, this might not seem like a good way to increase sales. But when people see that you\u2019re authentic in caring about important issues, it can convince them to use your services over your competitors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Users can submit their best photos celebrating different causes, and to keep things fair, you can draw a winner randomly from all entries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Charity](\"https:\/\/rafflepress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/charity-photo-contest.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThere are many different causes you could choose to highlight. For example, you might want to draw attention to a local youth charity. Choose one that you know will resonate with both your audience and yourself. The grand prize could be a donation to your charity of choice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are some charity giveaway ideas<\/a> to get you started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
12. Before and After Transformation Photos<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
This is another photography giveaway idea you can transform into a voting contest. Before and after photos, get tons of engagement on social media because people love a great transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Before](\"https:\/\/rafflepress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/before-and-after-photo-contest.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nSo use this idea to run a photo contest where users submit their best before and after photos. And for a bonus entry, get them to refer a friend<\/a> by sharing the giveaway on their social channels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This would be a great time to partner with a gym or fitness center for a prize bundle in exchange for gym promotion<\/a>. The winner could receive a professional photo shoot along with a gym membership or exercise equipment to keep them in shape. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
13. Your Favorite Concert Photos<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Want to draw attention to your live concert portfolio? Then you can try running a giveaway asking for people\u2019s favorite concert snaps. Plus, you can use your portfolio as an example of how to take the perfect band photo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, you could announce your giveaway in a blog post explaining the different methods used in concert photography. Then include a bonus entry in your giveaway widget, asking participants to view your portfolio page for ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Remember to include options for sharing your giveaway to boost awareness and entries. You could even offer a small discount just for entering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
14. Create a Timelapse Photo<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Timelapse photography might seem a little too specialized to ask for in a giveaway. Yet, you\u2019d be surprised at the quality of work from many hobbyists. With that in mind, run a giveaway<\/a> asking for your audience\u2019s attempts at timelapse photos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Timelapse](\"https:\/\/rafflepress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/timelapse-photography-contest.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nDuring the giveaway, showcase the best submissions in an Instagram gallery on your website<\/a> or another type of photo gallery to generate interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Consider offering different prize tiers to encourage more participation. You could offer discounts and framed photos to runners up and a one-to-one masterclass to the main winner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
15. Showcase Your Home Town in Photos<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
One of the best ways to promote your business and attract new customers is to get your local community involved. This is especially useful if your business has a physical location and storefront, as you\u2019ll want to get more local business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Hometown](\"https:\/\/rafflepress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/home-town-photo-contest.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nOne way to achieve that is to run a photo contest where users need to send in photos of your town. Encourage people to be creative by including different categories like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- High street photos<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Shop interiors<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Parks<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Historical buildings<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Monuments<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
You can also get local businesses involved with promoting your giveaway<\/a> by pooling your resources for a massive prize bundle of locally sourced goods. And in doing so, you demonstrate that you care about your community, which, in turn, encourages more people to use your services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
16. Best Happy Accident Snaps<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Another photography giveaway idea that doesn\u2019t require any skill is a contest around the best accidental photos. This involves requesting submissions of photos people have taken by accident with excellent results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Accidental](\"https:\/\/rafflepress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/accidental-photo-contest.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPerhaps they pressed the camera option on their phone by accident and caught a stunning sunset. It could even be an unexpected selfie with amusing consequences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whatever the accident, it\u2019s a fun way to draw attention to the photos we often ignore and throw away. And it encourages people to look at photography in a more light-hearted way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Make sure you include an option for bonus entries in your giveaway. Asking people to join your email list or follow your social channels is a good way to gather leads for your business and nurture them into sales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
17. Funny Pet Portraits<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Many pet owners love dressing their cats and dogs up in clothes and costumes. And if you\u2019re a photographer with a portfolio of pet portraits, you can use that trend to your advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Funny](\"https:\/\/rafflepress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/funny-pet-photo-contest.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nConsider running a giveaway where people submit their funniest pet photos to win your grand prize. This would be an excellent way to promote your business around Halloween when everyone\u2019s getting dressed up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The winner could receive a professional photoshoot with their pet, complete with a framed snap to hang on their wall. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bonus Tip: Create a Sense of Urgency<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The last tip in this article involves creating urgency around your contest. Making it clear the giveaway is running for a limited time only spurs people into action. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can invoke a sense of urgency by adding a countdown timer on your website, telling people they have only a certain amount of days left to enter. Make sure you include a call to action button that links to your giveaway landing page<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Use](\"https:\/\/rafflepress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/giveaway-countdown-timer.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhen users see your countdown timer, they won\u2019t want to miss out, pushing them to click and enter now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FAQs About Photography Giveaways & Contests<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Are photography contests worth it?<\/span><\/div>Yes, if your goal is to attract real engagement and promote your work. A well-run photography contest can help you grow your audience, generate user content, and connect with people who actually care about your craft.<\/div><\/div><\/div>How do photographers get noticed?<\/span><\/div>Photographers get noticed by sharing consistent, high-quality work and showing up where their ideal clients spend time\u2014like Instagram, local events, or niche communities. Running a creative giveaway can also be a smart way to stand out and spark interest.<\/div><\/div><\/div>How to make a photography contest?<\/span><\/div>To run a successful photography contest, choose a theme, pick a great prize, and ask people to submit photos to enter. Use a tool like RafflePress to collect entries and make it easy to share. Then promote it on social media, email, and your website to drive traffic and submissions.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nIf you’re serious about growing your photography business, a well-run giveaway can help you do more than just hand out freebies. It\u2019s a smart way to build trust, get in front of your ideal clients, and show off your style in a fun, engaging way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019ve used RafflePress because it lets you build a photo contest in minutes. Just pick a contest type, set your prize, and start collecting entries that actually move your business forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udc49 Try RafflePress today<\/a> and launch your first photography giveaway the easy way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While you\u2019re planning your giveaway, you might also like these guides:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- How to Run a Product Launch Giveaway<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- How to Run a Facebook Flash Giveaway<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- How to Pick a Winner of a Giveaway<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- How to Run a Selfie Contest<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 6 Contest Metrics That Matter (and How I Track Them)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- How to Create a Distraction-Free Giveaway Landing Page<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- How to Write Giveaway Rules Like a Pro<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
While you\u2019re here, don\u2019t forget to follow us on YouTube<\/a>, Twitter<\/a>, and Facebook<\/a> for more great tips to grow your business.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Are you looking for ways to promote your photography business? These creative photography giveaway ideas will help you generate new sales.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":8756,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"limit_modified_date":"1","last_modified_date":"2025-07-18T05:21:15","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[366,1818,1441],"class_list":["post-2528","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-marketing","tag-photo-contest","tag-photography-giveaway-ideas","tag-social-media-photo-contest"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rafflepress.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2528","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rafflepress.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rafflepress.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rafflepress.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rafflepress.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2528"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/rafflepress.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2528\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15864,"href":"https:\/\/rafflepress.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2528\/revisions\/15864"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rafflepress.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8756"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rafflepress.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2528"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rafflepress.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2528"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rafflepress.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2528"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
- How to Run a Facebook Flash Giveaway<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- How to Run a Product Launch Giveaway<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
What Is a Photography Giveaway?<\/h2>
\nA Photography giveaway is an online marketing campaign<\/a> where participants perform specific tasks for the chance to win a prize.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, photography brands can run a giveaway and ask users to share their posts on social media for the chance to win photography products.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Alternatively, you can run a photo contest to test your audience’s photography talents. Then, you can reward the best photo submission with a prize.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why Run a Photography Contest?<\/h3>
\nRunning a giveaway is an effective way to raise brand awareness. As you spread the word about your campaign, more people will discover it and become familiar with your brand, resulting in more potential customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Photography giveaways can also benefit your business in the following ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- 2. Upload Your Best Selfie<\/a><\/li>