Entering a MEPSA show is fun and exciting! But if you haven’t done it before, it can be a little confusing. Below, please find some information to help you get started.
1. First Step—taking photos. If you are wondering what a winning photo looks like, try looking at the Championship Show Gallery on our website. There are many resources on photography, cameras, set-ups, etc. online. One of the best is our own Photo Shower’s Guide available on Lulu.com. You can also find some great articles in past copies of our Championship Result books. You can look up each year (on the Championship—Past Articles page) and see a listing of the articles from that year. The back issues are available on Lulu.com.
2. What to do with those photos—To finish preparing your photos for entry in a show, you will need to complete the back of the photo. This is very important, as this information will help the judge with placings and getting your photos back home to you. The article Photo Backs, The Other Side of the Photo will help you know what information to put on and how. All your photos must include your unique 5-letter code (the first two letters of your first name and the first three letters of your last name. i.e. Suzie Creamcheese would be SUCRE).
3. Next— Finding a show. Your first decision will be whether to enter Novice or Open. The Novice division is for people just learning about photo showing. These shows have limited entries, and the judge will critique the photos as well as judge them. It is a great learning experience. If you are more experienced, then Open is your choice. The show schedules are located on our website and in our newsletter. Here you will find who, what and where for each show.
4. Entering— Include a copy of the MEPSA Entry Form filled out, your photos, an SASE (Self Addressed Stamped Envelope), and your payment. Secure your photos in Ziploc baggies (or other protective coverings). Your photos should be in class order, so the judge does not have to sort your photos for you. Your payment options are cash, check, PayPal, Show Coupons (Show coupons are available in denominations from $1-$8 from our Treasurer) or judge’s certificates. Be sure to read the show information carefully, as all shows have limits as to how many photos may be entered.
5. Mailing— Please make sure you mail your entries with plenty of time to get to the judge. Your shipping envelope and the SASE must have the proper postage affixed. Do not put tape over your postage or the USPS can’t cancel the stamps. Be careful how much tape you use. If you make it too hard for the judge to open them, your photos might be damaged in the process.
6. The Show— Most judges will post a list of entrants, so you know if your photos arrived safe and sound. While many judges finish judging in around two weeks, they have up to four weeks to finish the show and mail it back to you.
7. Show judged— Depending on how you requested your results, they may be emailed to you, printed and returned with your photos, or you can look them up on the website after they are uploaded. They will be under the show information.
8. Return of photos— When you receive your envelope back, please make sure to check your photos. Some judges will leave Post-it notes on photos that may have been
incorrectly entered. Other times you may have someone else’s photo sneak home with yours. It is common courtesy to send the wayward horse home to its owner. Go through the results. Make sure all your qualifiers are spelled correctly and have the correct 5 letter code on them. If you need to make any changes, use the Qualifier Correction Sheet to notify the Tab Team of the correction. The Tab Team, or Tabulations Team, keeps a record of qualifications for each show.
9. What now? Keep showing! Keep earning your qualifications for entry into MEPSA’s Championship Show in June. It is a really big show! Earning the right to go is an accomplishment itself, but winning prizes is even better!