Winning Halloween Costume Contests
Step 1: Read the Rules. Carefully.
When you first hear about a Halloween costume contest that you want to enter, your first instinct might be to start brainstorming ideas right away. But hold on a minute; before you start thinking about costumes and props, read through the costume contest's rules thoroughly. Maybe even more than once.
It doesn't matter how great your Halloween costume idea is if you get disqualified on a technicality. So jot down guidelines for entry, the goal of the costume, the end date, and other pertinent details to make sure that your entry will be accepted.
While you're at it, also think about the costume contest's sponsor. You may have a leg-up on the competition if your Halloween contest entry ties into the sponsor's product or image.
Step 2: Come Up with a Great Costume
You're not going to win a Halloween costume contest with the same costume everyone else is wearing. Pick a costume that's original and reflects your personality.
Cute or funny costumes have an advantage over costumes that are gruesome (unless the contest is looking for something scary). Avoid the standard fare (witches and vampires) or current contest trends (Harry Potter springs to mind), unless you can add a personal twist.
In photos, you can use props along with the costume to make an eye-catching image.
Cute or funny costumes have an advantage over costumes that are gruesome (unless the contest is looking for something scary). Avoid the standard fare (witches and vampires) or current contest trends (Harry Potter springs to mind), unless you can add a personal twist.
In photos, you can use props along with the costume to make an eye-catching image.
Some inspiration for original Halloween costumes:
General Halloween Costume Ideas
Free Creative Halloween Costume Ideas to Make Yourself
This is an extensive list of creative ideas that you can create at home.
Lesser-Known Villains to Imitate
If you'd like to base your Halloween costume on a movie, but want to avoid the classic stereotypes, check out this funny article.
How to Style Hair and Make-Up for Halloween
How to create a classic Halloween look.
How to Wear a Halloween Wig
Forget doing your hair - rock an inexpensive Halloween wig.
Halloween Costume Ideas for Kids
Clever Costumes for Kids
These punny costumes would be great for contests.
Budget Halloween Costumes Your Kids will Reuse
Save money with these creative ideas.
Costume Ideas for Kids in Wheelchairs
How to turn wheelchairs to your advantage in costumes.
Halloween Costume Ideas for Adults
Halloween Costume Ideas for Couples
How to look great as a Halloween pair.
Halloween Costume Ideas for Adults
Costume ideas to make at home.
Halloween Costume Ideas for Pets
Gallery of Halloween Costumes for Dogs
Get ideas from other dog owners.
Gallery of Halloween Costumes for Cats
Ideas to dress your cat for Halloween.
Should Your Pet Wear Costumes?
Keep pet safety in mind when creating Halloween costumes.
Step 3: Make Your Halloween Costume Contest Entry Stand Out
Whether you're entering Halloween costume contests online with a photo or video entry, or you're standing before the judges in a local costume contest, one sure-fire way to stand out from the competition is to really play the role that your costume represents.
For example, look at the photograph above; it wouldn't be nearly as arresting if the angel were looking straight into the camera and smiling blandly. It's the truly angelic expression on her face that would make any judge take a second look, even though the costume itself is a bit pedestrian.
It might help you to come up with a little background for a character that matches your costume so that you can really bring some personality to your costume. Don't be just "an angel" or "a superhero." Come up with a name, consider what your character would be thinking about, and bring that personality onto the stage or into the photo or video before you send it off.
Here are some tips that will help you show off to the judges:
How to Master Your Halloween Role
How to Create a Believable Character
You won't need to be as in-depth with a Halloween costume as with a character in a book, but this article will help generate some ideas.
How to Cope with Stage Fright
This article was written for piano recitals, but works well for any kind of stage fright.
tep 4: Take a Great Halloween Costume PhotoOnline costume contests need a photo of your Halloween costume to enter. Now that you know how to come up with ideas for unique Halloween costumes and how to inject those costumes with personality, it's time to take an amazing photograph.
Judges will be looking at hundreds of photographs, so yours needs to stand out. If appropriate, use props to make your costume really pop. Use good lighting to highlight the subject's expression as well as the costume details.
Here are some more photography tips:
How to Pose for Pictures
Video: How to Look Good in Pictures
This video is not only amusing, but it gives you some great tips on how to pose for the camera.
How to Look Skinnier in Pictures
The camera tends to add weight to any model, so knowing how to stand to avoid unfortunate bulges is useful, even if you're not overweight.
Photography Myth: You Don't Have to Look Directly Into the Camera
If you're used to staring into a camera and grinning, try different angles to capture your best look.
How to Take Great Halloween Costume Photographs
How to Win Photography Contests
This article has general information about how to make your photo contest entries stand out, which also apply to Halloween costume contest entries.
The Basics of Good Photography
Learn how to solve common photography mistakes and take better pictures.
How to Create Spooky Halloween Lighting in Photos
You can really make photographs of your costume stand out if you use some of these spooky lighting tips!
Tips for Photographing Children
These tips were designed for back-to-school photos, but many apply to any pictures of children.
How to Take Great Pet Photographs
Lots of companies run Halloween costume contests for pets. Learn how to take great pictures of animals.
5: Build Enthusiasm for Your Halloween Costume Contest Entry
For example, look at the photograph above; it wouldn't be nearly as arresting if the angel were looking straight into the camera and smiling blandly. It's the truly angelic expression on her face that would make any judge take a second look, even though the costume itself is a bit pedestrian.
It might help you to come up with a little background for a character that matches your costume so that you can really bring some personality to your costume. Don't be just "an angel" or "a superhero." Come up with a name, consider what your character would be thinking about, and bring that personality onto the stage or into the photo or video before you send it off.
Here are some tips that will help you show off to the judges:
How to Master Your Halloween Role
How to Create a Believable Character
You won't need to be as in-depth with a Halloween costume as with a character in a book, but this article will help generate some ideas.
How to Cope with Stage Fright
This article was written for piano recitals, but works well for any kind of stage fright.
tep 4: Take a Great Halloween Costume PhotoOnline costume contests need a photo of your Halloween costume to enter. Now that you know how to come up with ideas for unique Halloween costumes and how to inject those costumes with personality, it's time to take an amazing photograph.
Judges will be looking at hundreds of photographs, so yours needs to stand out. If appropriate, use props to make your costume really pop. Use good lighting to highlight the subject's expression as well as the costume details.
Here are some more photography tips:
How to Pose for Pictures
Video: How to Look Good in Pictures
This video is not only amusing, but it gives you some great tips on how to pose for the camera.
How to Look Skinnier in Pictures
The camera tends to add weight to any model, so knowing how to stand to avoid unfortunate bulges is useful, even if you're not overweight.
Photography Myth: You Don't Have to Look Directly Into the Camera
If you're used to staring into a camera and grinning, try different angles to capture your best look.
How to Take Great Halloween Costume Photographs
How to Win Photography Contests
This article has general information about how to make your photo contest entries stand out, which also apply to Halloween costume contest entries.
The Basics of Good Photography
Learn how to solve common photography mistakes and take better pictures.
How to Create Spooky Halloween Lighting in Photos
You can really make photographs of your costume stand out if you use some of these spooky lighting tips!
Tips for Photographing Children
These tips were designed for back-to-school photos, but many apply to any pictures of children.
How to Take Great Pet Photographs
Lots of companies run Halloween costume contests for pets. Learn how to take great pictures of animals.
5: Build Enthusiasm for Your Halloween Costume Contest Entry
At this point, you've created a unique and fantastic Halloween costume, you've come up with a way to put some personality into it to really set it apart from the crowd, and you've learned how to take a fantastic picture of it if necessary. Is there anything else you can do to help you win your Halloween costume contest?
For many contests, there is one final step: getting votes for your costume contest entry.
If your local costume contest asks for input from the crowd when picking a winner, make sure that you work the room, talking to people and letting them get to know you and see your costume.
Online, vote requests are a common part of many contests. To get votes, try asking friends and family, writing to any online groups that you visit frequently, and posting in the Vote Requests Section of the Sweepstakes Forum.
For many contests, there is one final step: getting votes for your costume contest entry.
If your local costume contest asks for input from the crowd when picking a winner, make sure that you work the room, talking to people and letting them get to know you and see your costume.
Online, vote requests are a common part of many contests. To get votes, try asking friends and family, writing to any online groups that you visit frequently, and posting in the Vote Requests Section of the Sweepstakes Forum.
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