The Pony's Salon: Host your own Photo Show!

We all know that entering a photo show can increase a pony's value and provide some fun for the owner, but hosting your own show can be just as educational! This page will walk you through the necessary steps to photo show success.

Keys to a Successful Show

Make your class list easy to read and understand with a variety of classes
Return photos promptly and neatly
Set reasonable entry fees
Give prizes that correspond to your entry fee, but make them desirable and related to MLP

Getting Started

First, decide upon the type of show you wish to hold. It could be a results only show, a prize show, or benefit of some kind. We recommend a prize show, because you will get more entries. Next, give your show a clever name. You might look at other web pages or newsletters to get some ideas. The name does not have to be complicated, simplicity can be very very effective. Select a date to hold the show 3 to 4 months in advance to allow for preparation and advertising. Now you can compile a class list. Use The Salon's class list as an example, or make up one of your own. Remember, variety is the key here. Give an ample amount of classes so that EVERY pony may enter. Many people like to get some mileage out of their photos, too, by entering them in more than one class. Finally, you should select the prizes to be awarded. Possible prizes include the following:

Original Finish ponies
Custom ponies
Gift Certificates to MLP related businesses
Commercial certificates, ribbons, rosettes, or trophies
Other MLP related items

Remember, however, to award desirable prizes. This is not simply an opportunity to dump old junk!

Advertising

You must make others aware of your show. Try to advertise in as many and as diverse places as possible- on web pages, bulletin boards, collectibles magazines, mailing lists, and even web rings. The more people here about your show, the more likely they are enter it. We also recommended establishing a Show Home Page. This can be especially useful if you run monthly shows. If you do set up a page, however, be sure to link it in as many places as possible.

Organizing Show Information

You should have well organized show information to present to possible entrants. This should include the following:

Show Name
Your name, email, and mailing address
Show date
Show fees-- flat "stable fees" are simplest, but per photo also works. Keep them reasonable though!
Prize list-- also include who will be responsible for shipping of large items
Special class rules or notes
What to include on the back of an entry photo
The Class list
Any other special notes or information such as no postage due entries.

Show Preparation

Within two weeks of the show date, you should begin to receive entries. There are a number of things you should have ready:

2 labeled boxes (shoe boxes work best), one for photos and one for return SASEs.
4x6 index cards with the name and number of each class on them, sorted in numerical order.
A Show Log containing columns for the entrant's name, email address, mailing address, number of sent pix, amount of fees paid, and enclosures.
A large envelope labeled "Entry Fees"

Place the Show log and entry fees envelope in the box labeled "Return SASE's", and the index cards in the box labeled "Photos." Every time you receive an entry, open it and "log it in" on the Show Log. Count the number of photos and make sure the number matches with the entry fees. If it does not contact that person immediately! Then, file the entries in the Photos box behind the card of the FIRST class listed on the back. Take any enclosures (rubber bands, plastic baggies, etc.) and place them inside the SASE for safekeeping until the end of the show. Place the return SASE in the appropriate box. Next, put the entry fees in the Entry Fee envelope and file it until the end of the show. Keep in mind that YOU are responsible for the safety and condition of the entrant's photos while they are in your hands! Treat them as you would want your photos to be handled. On the day of the show, wait until the mail has been delivered before you begin to judge.

Judging

The first thing to do is to prepare the table for the results. We recommend doing this on a computer, but handwritten results are okay too. Just be sure to PRINT neatly! You results heading should include the following:

The Show Name, judge's name, email, and address, and the date
The total number of entries and entrants (refer to your Show Log)
An Entrant Key-- The name of each entrant and a number or initial you assign to them

Now it is time to judge the show! We recommend doing this at your computer so you can file the results as you go. Take the photos for the first class, count them, judge and place them, and then arrange them in first through tenth place in a stack

Enter the class number, name, and total number of entries for that class.
List First Place 1.) then the name of the pony with the owners initial after it.

EXAMPLE: 5. Pegasus-- 18

Honorable Mentions (HM) are simply models that you felt needed recognition, but did not place in the top ten. Only use HMs for classes of 20 or more entries.

Awarding Championship Titles

Most shows will award championship titles to deserving entrants. The champion's name should go right after the division is named in the show results. Some common titles include the following:

Breed Champion and Reserve Champion
Type Champion/Reserve
Color Champion/Reserve
Performance Champion/Reserve
Grand Champion/Reserve-- these are the two best ponies from the entire show

To determine title winners, line up all the first place photos from a division. Select a champion based on quality, realism, and appeal. This pony should be the best of the group. Replace her photo with the photo that placed second to your champion in the original class. Select a reserve champion from the group. Do this for all the divisions. Then, take all the division champions and reserves and line them up. Select a grand champion and reserve grand champion using the same method as before. You can use your computer's printer for printing results to a small show, but photocopying is best for a large one.

Sorting and Returning Pix

When you have completed the results, take all your photos and sort them according to the owners. Using your Show Log as a guide, double count each pile to be sure the entrant receives all their photos. Find the corresponding SASE and place the photos in it the same way they arrived- with all rubber bands, baggies, etc. Place a copy of the results in the SASE, and weigh the envelope to make sure there is enough postage. If there is not enough postage, check inside the SASE for extra stamps and add only what is needed. Do not steal stamps! Seal and mail the envelopes. If there are any prizes that require special shipping, take care of that at the time you return the photos.

We hope this helped you organize your first photo show! If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

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