If you're serious about winning a beauty pageant, you must have the right photo. This rule holds true for big pageants like state and national finals, as well as for many local pageants.

Sometimes, however, it's difficult to know which type of photo to get - a glitz photo or a natural photo. For the last few years, most pageants have practically demanded a glitz pic. What's a glitz pic? One that has been ehanced. Teeth are whitened, eyes are made larger, faces made slimmer, and flaws corrected. I never really approved of such photos because preactically any kid can be made to look breathtaking with this kind of photo. But when everyone else turns in that kind of photo, you must do the same in order to be competitive.

Now, in many pageants, the pendulum is swinging the other way, to a more natural photo. Just to be on the safe side, many top competitors turn in both natural and glitz pics to the judges. In fact, they turn in several of each.

Why is the photo so important? Because it's the first impression the judges will get of the contestant. And like it or not, judges are only human, no matter how impartial and fair they try to be. When they see a striking photo before the pageant begins, it raises their expectations of seeing that child or young lady in person.

For those of you new to the pageant world, the judges get the photos before the pageant actually begins. They're usually in a room by themselves, and they generally spread the photos out on a table and look them over carefully. They're getting a better look at the girls' faces this way than they are when the girls are on stage. An amazing photo plants a seed in the minds of the judges.

Many girls who win consistently often point to their photos as the reason behind their success. But how do you get such photos? Ask around. Find out where the winners are getting their photos done. Ask a pageant coach for advice on photos. Even if you have to pay for the advice, it will be worth it in the long run.

Once you've chosen a photographer, ask about outfits and photo toppers. Will she provide them, or do you bring your own? Many reputable pageant photographers have some outfits on hand, but it's a good idea to take several of your own, also. Have photos made with several looks. When you get the proofs back, take them to a pageant coach and have her choose the best ones. She'll know what the latest trends are and which types of photos are winning.

Watch the video below to learn more about enhanced photos, and click on the article links to read more about pageants.