Photography is our passion, and no one will ever take it away from us! Whether you're a professional or an amateur, winning or challenging yourself is always beneficial. Why you should participate in a photo contest is a very personal question, but why not, after all? Especially if it's free to enter. Imagine being a wedding photographer and winning the Wedding Photographer of the Year award; it's clear that your professional life would change drastically, your rates could double, etc. You can enter to win the prizes offered – sometimes there are thousands of dollars up for grabs. You could try to have your work exhibited in a prestigious art gallery in New York or Berlin, or perhaps in a very cool bar. Maybe you do it to enhance your portfolio with a new award to show on your website, a publication in a fashion magazine or contemporary art magazine. All I know is that you have a huge photo archive just two clicks away, a bio saved in a Word file on your desktop, and right now, there are hundreds of active contests here, many of which are free to enter. So, as I said, why not?