Do you have what it takes? PILF contest special edition  January 28th 2021

Covergirl Nikki Ruiz from Tiffany Garcia Photography

First, let's hear what senior Nikki Ruiz had to say about her photo being chosen for the cover of the Fall Issue of SeniorInspire the magazine...

Me siento muy, .....me siento muy... EXCITED!! To be chosen to be the cover of a top senior magazine has been a dream come true. Especially knowing that I was able to represent my photographer, Tiffany Garcia and senior models all over the US. What an honor! I was beyond grateful!

Susan Gietka of Susan Grace Photography

I am so grateful for SeniorInspire and all it stands for. A few years ago SeniorInspire found me on Instagram and featured my work. SeniorInspire was the first to see something in my work. It was such a rush and I was honored to be included on this page.

There are so many talented photographers on Instagram and the competition is intimidating. Being included as one of the SeniorInspire Photographers To Follow gave me the courage to enter more contests and get featured on more sites.

Following SeniorInspire’s Instagram feed keeps me on my toes and inspired! This push makes me work harder on each shoot to produce images that make my clients happy.

Cynthia Schoettker of Cynthia Schoettker Photography

I was chosen as one of the 2018 75 to Follow Photographers, and it was the first time that I was chosen for any major photography award for my work.

Being awarded by SeniorInspire did so much for my self-confidence for photo shoots that followed afterwards! It made me feel like I had finally arrived in the photography world.

I feel that sharing the news on my social media also allowed me to attract new clients to my work, which made my job even more fun.

I will always be thankful that SeniorInspire recognized my work, which pushed me even further to grow and succeed in the photography world.

Penney Muskopf of Penneylane Pictures

Having one of my photos chosen was one of the most exciting moments! I received your email while at work, as I ran down the operating room halls jumping for joy! I have always dreamed of seeing my work in a magazine. The best and most humbling part of the whole thing was my daughter's senior picture was the one picked! I appreciate the opportunity.

Selessa Holmberg of Selessa's Studio

When I started entering contests years ago, it made me look at my work to see what I could improve and the process made me better.

More importantly it made some seniors, not all, get very excited to work with me. I even had one client who put out all the magazines her daughter was published in at her Grad party! And she made a feature banner with all the photos that were featured as well.

She talked me up to many future clients about winning contests. And I ended up getting many very good paying clients from this one senior.

Basically contests push me to be better, to get that award winning shot in as many shoots as I can. And I realize it's not important to every senior or senior parent, but to the ones that it is important, it has helped me sell more!

Bottom line it is good to enter some contests!

Wendy Ewing of Studio E

It took me years to start entering magazine contests. I didn’t get selected or featured for a long, long time. I was sad and felt I wasn’t good enough.

Then I started pushing myself and putting in even more time experimenting with more lighting styles. I also mentored with photographers I looked up to and who had styles I wanted to learn.

Finally, in the past 2 years I have had images featured in different magazines. I have been amazed actually! I have been a photographer for almost 30 years and am finally at this point in my career.

This year if I want to enter images, I know I better bring it even more!! There are fierce photographers in our field!! I am constantly amazed by so much of what I see in my feed and love when I come across a photographer I haven’t heard about.

Cheers to everyone for putting themselves out there! Cheers to those who are taking home the awards! And cheers to those who decide not to enter. Just don’t NOT enter because you don’t think you're good enough!