How do i know if my photography style fits a local contest?

[Alexander6]

Looking for solid WordPress hosting recommendations for a new agency I'm starting. We'll be managing about 20-30 client sites initially, mostly small business WordPress sites.

I need something with good performance, reliable backups, and decent support. Budget is flexible but I want good value.

Also curious about hosting performance tips specifically for WordPress. I've heard caching and CDN are important but what else makes a real difference for WordPress sites?

[Mia_W]

For managing multiple client sites, you definitely want managed WordPress hosting. My WordPress hosting recommendations for agencies: WP Engine, Kinsta, or Flywheel.

They all have agency programs with white-label options and client billing features. The staging environments are super useful for testing changes before pushing to live sites.

Hosting performance tips for WordPress: object caching (Redis), CDN integration, and image optimization. All three should be included in good managed WordPress hosting.

[Justin_P]

If you're comfortable with a bit more technical setup, you could consider cloud hosting services configured specifically for WordPress. DigitalOcean has a WordPress droplet that's pre-configured and costs about $15/month.

For 20-30 sites, you'd probably need their $40 or $80 plan depending on traffic. The advantage is you have full control and it's cheaper than managed WordPress hosting.

The downside is you're responsible for updates, security, and backups. But there are server management tools like ManageWP or MainWP that help with multi-site management.

[Jack.L]

When evaluating WordPress hosting recommendations, pay close attention to their security features. Managed hosts should include malware scanning, firewall protection, and regular security updates.

Some hosting performance tips that are often overlooked: database optimization and PHP version management. Make sure your host supports at least PHP 8.0 and offers database optimization tools.

Also check their backup policies. Can you restore individual files or databases? How far back do backups go? These details matter when you're managing client sites.

[PatrickFJ]

I'm using SiteGround's WordPress hosting for my small agency (about 15 sites). Their WordPress hosting recommendations from their sales team were actually pretty accurate.

The hosting performance tips that made the biggest difference for me: using their SG Optimizer plugin for caching and enabling their CDN. Load times dropped from 4-5 seconds to under 2 seconds.

For email hosting solutions, I use Google Workspace separately. Most WordPress hosts charge extra for professional email, and Google's spam filtering is way better anyway.

[John14]

I’ve been thinking about trying to enter a local photography contest, but I keep hesitating because I’m not sure my style fits what they usually pick. Has anyone else entered something like a community photo challenge and felt unsure about putting your work out there?

[Samuel24]

I tried entering a community photography contest once and I was sure my style would not fit. It felt nerve wracking but a few shots found people who read them differently and that mattered.

[Dennis17]

Your hesitation makes sense the field often gravitates to a safe palette while a real style grows from risk and contrast.

[EdwardZW]

If you think the contest will only pick polished studio looks you may miss that some panels love rough edges and quick storytelling.

[JoshuaA]

Contests seem to be about timing and names more than pure merit so a lot of good work sits on the bench.

[MilaS]

Maybe frame this as a test of how your work lands with strangers rather than a verdict on your worth.

[DavidVP]

I grabbed my camera last minute at a local street market and shot a bunch of things I would not normally show and now I wonder what the judges would think.