The NEW Star Kids!

Portrait Shoppe is proud to produce STAR KIDS: Lexington's Annual Children's Modeling Competition.

For 7 years the Portrait Shoppe has been running the Star Kids Modeling Competition, an informal portrait competition that benefits UK Children's Hospital. It is judged by the wonderfully talented people at Images Model Agency. It has always been a success, and this year is going to be no different! And for the first time in7 years, we've made some positive changes to the contest! Here's what you need to know about getting your child into Star Kids.
When is Star Kids? Star Kids begins May 1st and run through most of the summer. Your portrait session needs to be done within this time period. *Suggestion: get it done early, because the end of July is crazy busy with people trying to cram it in!*

What are the age restriction? Anybody ages 0-12 is eligible to enter (that's your age as of May 1st, the beginning of the contest).

How is Star Kids judged? Star Kids is broken down into Age, Gender, and Style Categories, so there are lots of opportunities for your child to win! The age categories are: 0-11 months, 12-23 months, 2-3 years, 4-5 years, 6-7 years, 8-10 years, 11-12 years. Within each age category there are 2 boy winners and 2 girl winners: one Reality winner, and one Imagination winner. There are also two overall winners: one from 0-3 years, one from 4-12 years. All the judging is done by Images Model and Talent Agency - we (the photographers) get too attached to your children to make fair, objective judgments!)

How do I enter? All entries will be chosen from photographs taken at the Portrait Shoppe during the eligible months. All you have to do is make an appointment at the Portrait Shoppe. You may call the studio (859.277.6671) or you can make an appointment online (click here). But don't wait too long to make your appointment, or you might not be able to get a spot!

Does it cost anything to enter? The entrance fee to the Star Kids Modeling Competition is $99. This covers your session fee, your registration for Star Kids, the donation for UK Children's Hospital, and $50 towards whatever order you place.

What about scenes and outfits? For Star Kids, there are NO RESTRICTIONS! You can wear anything and use any of our scenes – but we have to have individual images, group shots won’t work. You may submit multiple children per family and/or a child into more than one category, but there will be an individual entrance fee for each.

How do you choose which image to use? We don’t – YOU do. We’ll help you of course, and give you suggestions, but the final decision is yours as to which image you want to submit. (See our post about How To Win A Modeling Competition for some suggestions on this.)

What does my child get if he/she wins? Every participant, winner or not, will get a 4×6 of the image they choose and a goodie bag full of prizes, coupons, and discounts at all participating businesses in Lexington. Typically those gift bags are worth somewhere in the vicinity of $100. The category winners will get more substantial prizes: gift certificates, dinners, etc. And the overall winners? Free registration and classes at Images Modeling Agency!

Why do Star Kids at all? Before it is anything else, Star Kids is a benefit for the UK Children's Hospital. The Star Kids Modeling Contest has been donating to them for 7 years, and has raised thousands of dollars! This year we're making an extra effort: we are doubling our donation from all previous years! In addition to that we are also donating a percent of the total sales from the contest to the UK Children's Hospital. So the 2010 donation is expected to be significantly larger than any we've made yet. But also (and not unimportantly), Star Kids is FUN! It's fun for you, for your child, for us...it's just a good time all around. So come and be part of the fun! We look forward to seeing your Star Kid and helping them to shine!