It’s time for the Richmondmom.com biggest contest of the year – our Real Cute Kids contest.

Parents have their child’s photo taken free of charge, votes are entered here on Richmondmom.com, and kids can win big in their age categories.

Thanks to our great sponsors for 2012 – Real Life Studios , Stony Point Surgery Center, and Primrose Schools.

Age categories for the contest are:

• –0-2 years

-3-5 years

-6-8 years

– 9-11 years

We’re doing this famous Richmond photo contest over again starting July 16, 2012 with photos taken by August 10 by Real Life Studios.

Here’s how it works:

1. Please note that as of 8/13/12 online entry is closed, and we are only photographing children already entered online due to high volume. Complete this brief online form to ENTER, it’s free! (Without this, we will have no information related to your photograph for voting purposes). If you’d like to purchase photos, great discount packages are available. Real Life Studios does incredible photography and has created lots of great memories for dozens of Richmond families!
2. Call 804-794-0021 (Real Life Studios) to schedule your appointment (we don’t accept personal photos, sorry!) at one of the locations and times listed below. Deadline for photos to be taken: 8/17/12.
3. Of course, if you’d like to purchase photos, you may do so at a discount thanks to Real Life Studios. The first 25 entrants to purchase a photo package of $50 or more, will receive a Richmond Rocks Children’s Book valued at $12.95.
4. Feel good about what you’re doing: The Down Syndrome Association of Greater Richmond is our non-profit partner on this contest, so we’ll make a donation to them for each Richmond kid who enters.
5. Vote for your child on the site, photos will be listed by (first name, last initial) and ask everyone you know to vote (one time only per person) between 8/20-8/30 here on Richmondmom.com.
   

   Our 2011 Real Cute Kids Grand Prize Winner, Joshua R. Isn’t he adorbs?

Winners will be announced no later than 8/31/12 here on the site, and the following prizes will be awarded (may vary by age category).

Dates and locations for photographs by Real Life Studios on-site at various locations are below, and you can schedule an appointment at Real Life’s Midlothian Studio anytime:

• 7/31/12-Primrose Ironbridge, 11351 Iron Creek Road, Chester VA. Call Real Life Studios to schedule your appointment: 804.794.0021.
• 8/3/12, 10:15am-Noon-Primrose Midlothian Village, 13801 Village Place, Midlothian VA. Call Real Life Studios to schedule your appointment: 804.794.0021.
• 8/3/12, 1:00pm – 5:00 pm at Sweet Spot Candy in Short Pump, 2228 Old Brick Road, Glen Allen VA. Call Real Life Studios to schedule your appointment: 804.794.0021
• 8/8/12, 2:30pm-5:30pm – Primrose Atlee Commons, 9650 Atlee Commons Drive. Call Real Life Studios to schedule your appointment: 804.794.0021.

There are some great prizes for the winners, including the following (prizes may vary based on age category and substitutes may be made where necessary):

First place in each age category will receive a $600 package from Real Life Studios including a free family portrait session and 16 X 20 gallery wrap.

1st Runners up in each category receive a free family portrait session and one 5X7 valued at $200, for a total of $3200 in prizes from Real Life Studios.

Great Wolf Lodge – Grand Prize overnight stay package valued at $575!

Signed copies for winners in each age group (valued at $54) and over $300 in Richmond Rocks books for the first 25 entrants to purchase a package of $50 or more (no purchas is required; this is our gift for those who do purchase!)

A Fun Bus Birthday Party valued at $210 from Fun Bus of Hanover/Henrico.

Emerge Hair Salon – $100 in kids haircut; mom’s blowout/style, and hair/skin products!

  3 prizes of 10 free passes  to Richmond Kangaroo Jac’s.

One-hour Mickey’s Magic Show with Jack the Bunny valued at $129.

Sewinit – A monogrammed pillow with a value of $50

Hip to be Round – $50 gift card toward Tea Party collection for 0-2 category winner

Kimberly Woodson of Farmers Insurance Agency – an engraved picture frame worth $50

Science Museum of Virginia – Supernova Membership (value $99) to the grand prize winner and family 4-packs (value – $44 per pack) to the winner in each age-range.

Theatre IV – Family 4-Pack of Tickets to the Virginia Rep’s YOUNG TOM JEFFERSON at the Children’s Theatre of Virginia at Willow Lawn or Hanover Tavern – $64 value

Mom’s Treehouse:  (0-2)  4-Stroller Strides classes, (3-5 ) 4-art classes, (6-8) 4-martial arts classes, (9-11) 4-martial arts classes

Healthy Little Chef – Two $20 gift cards

World of Mirth – $50 Gift Card

Sweet Spot Gift Certificate for $50 towards birthday party, candy, or treat bags

Kinsights – “Helping Grow Healthy Kids, Together” – is providing a $25 Amazon Gift Card