How to Get Votes for a Photo Contest

Separate public choice from judging

A photography competition can have both a juried award and a separate public-choice prize. Your campaign needs to name the prize your supporters can influence.

The Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year programme includes a public People’s Choice vote. The British Photography Awards also describes separate People’s Choice winners alongside expert judging. Those examples do not mean every photography award is decided by public ballots.

Use the exact photograph or entry page

Copy the official link for your photograph where one is available. If the link opens a gallery, include the photograph’s title, your entrant name and the category so supporters can find it.

Test the link on a phone. Check whether people must select the image, open a ballot, verify an email or complete another step. “Like this photo” is misleading if only a submitted ballot counts.

Show the photo, then explain the vote

Share an image you own or have permission to use. Add a short note about the photograph: where the idea came from, what you noticed or why you entered it. Give people a reason to look before asking for support.

I entered “Window Light” in the local photography exhibition. If it’s your favourite, please vote for it at [official link]. You’ll find it under [category], entered by [name]. Submit before [date, time and time zone].

The title and exhibition above are illustrative. Use a direct, accurate description instead of claiming that a vote guarantees a prize.

Build a small sharing plan

Start with people interested in your work. Choose the channels they already use and check each community’s posting rules. Put the voting instructions beside the image rather than burying the link in a long caption.

Where repeat voting is permitted, explain the official frequency. Otherwise, thank people after voting and avoid asking them to create extra accounts or repeat a ballot. A final reminder should still leave enough time for any verification step.

Keep the current round in view

A photograph can advance while its count resets or its ballot changes. Record the round, deadline and current link together. Do not combine votes from different rounds when using a target calculator.

For hidden counts, ratings or a mixed judging process, prepare a brief rather than inventing a number. Before arranging paid promotion or other support, read the organiser’s rules on solicitation and voting. A contest name in a guide is not an endorsement of a third-party service.

Keep each image and round identifiable

If a photographer has three submissions, check whether votes belong to each photograph or to the entrant. Do not combine their totals unless the organiser does. Keep a separate observation for the current image and round. For an animal entry, the pet photo checklist covers the entry identity, official donation options and supporter message.