Paul Manoian Photography was voted #1 Best Portrait Photography in Detroit, Michigan last year.  I was completely overwhelmed by the experience. It’s one thing for my clients to say I’m the best photographer, but to actually be voted the Best Photographer is a completely different experience!

Today is the first day of voting to select the Best for 2010 in Detroit.  I am so appreciative to be nominated for Best Portrait Photography again.  But, it’s a long road ahead and more people are expected to vote this year.

Please visit the Detroit WDIV website today and vote!  It only takes minute! You can click the link below to go straight to my page:

http://wdiv.cityvoter.com/paul-manoian-photography/biz/368721

Thank you!  THANK YOU!!

To show my appreciation, I am offering a $25 Print Credit for everyone that takes the time to vote.  But, you have to leave a recommendation to receive it.  I have no way of knowing who votes, but I can see the names of the people that leave recommendations.  So, it very important; please leave a recommendation.  You can use the $25 Print Credit towards anything on my website including a portrait session, Senior pictures, professional prints … even a wedding package!

I regularly offer a number of photography contests for individuals of all ages. My most recent contest (“Characters”) was geared to children enrolled at Livonia Little Tots.  It received a huge response from local parents; almost 100 votes were cast between the two finalists.

This time, due to the popularity of sites like AwkwardFamilyPhotos.com and Great Olan Mills Photos where, in their words, Total frickin’ awesomeness from Olan Mills, Sears and other fine portrait studios is highlighted, I’ve decided to offer a contest for people on the receiving end of a completely hopeless portrait.

Unlike my other photography contests where the entrants had to be within a specific age bracket, the only requirement is for you to have a “bad portrait” taken from a chain photography location like Sears, J.C. Penny, Portrait Innovations or Kiddee Kandids.  Of course, this includes other franchises like Olan Mills and Life Touch for school photos, too!

If you’ve had a bad portrait taken within the past 3 years, I want to hear about it!  Enter it.  Brag about it.

The winner will be determined entirely by popular vote online and will receive a FREE portrait session and 8×10 print to replace their winning “bad portrait”.  Have a bad family portrait?  Enter to win a free family session.  Have a bad child portrait?  Enter to win a free child photography session.  It couldn’t be easier.  In addition to the free session, the winner will also receive a free 8×10 print of their favorite proof.

Nominating a photo for “The Worst Portrait” couldn’t be easier.  Simply fill out the form below from June 1 to June 30, 2010 and upload a photo (Minimum size: 600×800 pixels)!  The online voting will take place from July 1 through July 31, 2010.  Good luck!

I recently held a child photography contest called “Characters” for kids currently enrolled at Livonia Little Tots. Each child photography contest finalist family selected one image to put head-to-head in an online vote for the grand prize, a complimentary 1 year membership in the V.I.P. Portrait Program that will give them free sitting fees for an entire year for their immediate family.

I run similar photography contests each year for children, teens, seniors and families. If you would like like to be notified of future photography contests and promotions, please be sure to sign up using the form on the right side of this web page!

Voting for the “Characters” child photography contest closed May 31, 2009. All in all, almost 100 votes were recorded. The results have been tallied and the winner was decided by only two votes …

I am pleased to announce … Miss Fallyn has won the 2010 “Characters” Contest! Be sure to leave a comment to congratulate Fallyn and help her win FREE wallets!

Child Photography Contest - Fallyn

I have held a number of child photography contests in the past year.  Most recently, I held a child photography contest for families with children currently enrolled a Livonia Little Tots Toddler or Preschool program.  I have a long-standing relationship with Livonia Little Tots and have been asked to photograph the children for displays throughout the school year a number of times.  The image below was taken at Livonia Little Tots in 2009 and is currently hanging in the hallway outside their main office.

From all the nominations, two child finalists were selected to receive a free portrait mini-session and an opportunity to select their favorite photo for an online vote. Now it is time for you to vote for your favorite. Voting to will close on May 31, 2010 at 11:59pm E.S.T., and the winner will be announced the following week.

The winner of the child photography contest will receive a complimentary 1 year membership in our V.I.P. Portrait Program (as well as the satisfaction of having won, of course!) that will give them free sitting fees for an entire year for their immediate family.

Thanks to all who entered and congratulations to the two finalists, Tyler and Fallyn!

Child Photography Contest - Tyler

Child Photography Contest - Fallyn

I recently held a child photography contest and Fallyn was one of the finalists.  We held a special photography session to capture a number of  portraits for her contest submission.  The other finalist is Tyler.

We spent a lot of time in the gazebo and captured some great candid portraits.  She has a fantastic smile and a wonderful sparkle in her eyes!  Please be sure to vote for her and leave a comment below to help Fallyn and her family win free wallets from her photography session!

My next contest, entitled The Worst Portrait, will be announced soon and will be open to all ages.  The only requirement is for the entrant to have a “bad portrait” taken from a chain photography location like Sears, J.C. Penny, Portrait Innovations or Kiddee Kandids.  The winner will receive a free membership in my annual V.I.P. Portrait Program.  Please sign up for my email newsletter if you think you have The Worst Portrait and would like to be notified when it is announced.

Michigan Photographer

Michigan Photography

Michigan Photographer

I recently held a child photography contest and Tyler was one of the finalists.  We held a mini portrait session in Northville, Michigan to capture a number of candid portraits for his child photography contest submission.  The other finalist is Fallyn.

Even though he spent most of the time running, we were still able to capture some fantastic portraits.  He’s quite adorable.  Wouldn’t you agree?  Please be sure to vote for him and leave a comment below to help Tyler and his family win free wallets from his photography session!

My next contest, entitled The Worst Portrait, will be announced soon and will be open to all ages.  The only requirement is for the entrant to have a “bad portrait” taken from a chain photography location like Sears, J.C. Penny, Portrait Innovations or Kiddee Kandids.  The winner will receive a free membership in my annual V.I.P. Portrait Program.  Please sign up for my email newsletter if you think you have The Worst Portrait and would like to be notified when it is announced.

Child Photographer

Child Photography

Child Portraits

Earlier this year, I decided to partner with Livonia Little Tots to offer a special contest only for families with children enrolled in their Toddler and Preschool programs. I announced the “Characters” child photography contest in January and families had until March 31 to nominate their 2 to 5 year old.

The two finalist families have been notified and will receive a free child portrait session and an 8×10 print of their favorite proof. In addition, they will be able to select one image to put head-to-head in an online vote for the grand prize, a complimentary 1 year membership in the V.I.P. Portrait Program giving them free sitting fees for an entire year for their immediate family.

Stay tuned for their photos to be posted here for an online vote. In the mean time, please help me congratulate … TYLER and FALLYN!! If you know them, please be sure to leave to comment below to cheer them on!!

Happy Valentine’s Day!  It’s one of the top holidays for proposing to the one you love!

If you’ve decided to tie the knot, you’re likely moving into wedding planning season even though there’s still snow on the ground.  If you’re an artsy, offbeat, fun-loving or otherwise uniquely awesome couple in Michigan, this could be your opportunity to win FREE wedding photography from Paul Manoian Photography!

I am interested in your story and the things that make you stand out in a crowd. What makes you different? What makes you tick? What makes your love story inspiring??

Simply fill out the contest entry form and tell me why you should be selected over the hundreds of other entrants.

Some of the things I’d like to know:

• How did you meet?  What is your story?
• What is the date and location of your wedding?
• What are the details and theme ideas for your wedding?
• What is the expected size of your wedding party?
• How many guests will you be inviting?
• Two (2) photographs of you as a couple.

I promise to work with you in planning out the photography so we can get the best possible shots from multiple locations during your wedding day.  But, I ask that you set aside an appropriate amount of time.  I really want to get amazing photos from your wedding day for you to cherish for a lifetime, so please allow me the opportunity to do so!

The contest winner will be determined by an online poll and will receive free wedding photography along with a CD of low resolution proofs from their big day.  The winner will also receive 10% Off all a la carte prints and albums of their wedding. Plus, up to three (3) qualifying runner-up couples will receive 20% Off a Wedding Photography Package of their choice.

Each year, I offer a number of photography contests for individuals of all ages.  My most recent two contests (“Kids Being Kids” and “Full of Life“) were geared to children and received an excellent response from parents across southeast Michigan.

I’ve decided to partner with Livonia Little Tots to offer a special contest only for families with children enrolled in their Toddler and Preschool programs.  I have a long-standing relationship with Livonia Little Tots and have been asked to photograph the children for displays throughout the school year a number of times.  In fact, many of my prints have been adorning their walls since 2009.  A 16×20 mounted print of the image below is currently hanging in the hallway outside their main office.

Michigan Child Photographer

If you have a child currently enrolled at Livonia Little Tots age 2-5, please nominate them for the “Characters” child photography contest!

Two finalists will receive a free on-location (within 10 miles of Livonia, MI) portrait session and an 8×10 print of their favorite proof.

Each finalist family will be able to select one image to put head-to-head in an online vote for the grand prize, a complimentary 1 year membership in the V.I.P. Portrait Program giving them free sitting fees for an entire year for their immediate family.

Please fill out the nomination form below to be considered for the contest. If you nominate someone else’s child and they are selected as the winner, you will receive a $25 Print Credit that can be used toward prints from a future portrait session of your own! You have until March 31, 2010 to submit your entry. 

Our Model Search for Class of 2011 Seniors has received a tremendous amount of interest since its launch last Fall.    If you’re currently a Junior graduating with the Class of 2011 and haven’t sent in your application yet, don’t despair!  There’s still time to get in on the fun this Spring and Summer!

Check out the online application to learn more at: Class of 2011 Model Search

Our senior model reps get a free headshot and senior lifestyle portrait session just for participating!  In addition, our top reps have an opportunity to win pictures, products and cash!  All you have to do as a rep is tell your friends about us. In case you’re wondering, you don’t have to be a super model … just be an outgoing person with an awesome personality!

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