How to prepare a nomination

Head shots—the professional version of a selfie—are mandatory for all individual award categories.

The example pictured shows what a quality head shot looks like. Use our tips:

• Dress appropriately – wear your usual work wear, but remove lanyards, hard hats and safety glasses (if it is safe to do so) or any other added items. If you can, avoid patterned clothing.
• Find a simple background – check there is nothing behind you that will look like it is sticking out of your head in an image. Concrete walls and blue skies are often good choices.
• Make sure the light is good – natural light is best however, if having to shoot inside, avoid office fluros and consider using a ring light to direct and improve light. The aim is to ensure there's no unflattering dark shadows on your face.
• Stand or sit up straight, shoulders back with chin lifted to the camera. Turn your upper body slightly diagonal. Then relax and smile.
• You can frame your shot portrait or landscape – just make sure the subject is not cut off too much in landscape format (so the image can still be cropped for portrait - the most common use of head shots - if required).
• Don't over edit or crop too tightly – this way we have more to work with in design.
• Supply high resolution photos (300 dpi minimum).

Today's smartphones make it easy to shoot head shots. Use a selfie stick or other set-up, or ask a friend or colleague to take a photo of you, bearing in mind these handy phone photography tips:

• if you have it, set your phone camera to High Dynamic Range (HDR) for better quality
• don't zoom in as this reduces resolution
• tap the screen to keep focus on the subject's face
• always save and send us the highest resolution version (that's the largest file size, so long as it doesn't exceed 10MB).

These are the kind of photos that tell a story about you and the work you do.

We've compiled a range of quality workplace and action shots (pictured), so you can see what a good selection looks like. Use our tips:

• Dress appropriately – wear your usual work wear, but preferably remove any non-essential items like lanyards. Ensure safety is upheld (e.g. wear safety glasses or visors when operating machinery, as required). If you can, avoid patterned clothing.
• Try select light-filled settings that are not too busy – if you must photograph in visually cluttered settings, use focus to soften the background.
• Natural light works best – if needed, you can also introduce light (e.g. via a ring light). Avoid fluorescent lighting common in offices.
• Take a good selection of shots, for example
  • at least 1 'power shot', where subjects are in their work gear and setting, and look confidently and purposeful, straight to the camera. These are best done in sharp focus, with a softened background
  • photos of the subject relaxed and captured in an authentic 'work' moment – looking and not looking at the camera
  • photos of the subject working with teachers/trainers, colleagues and/or clients – looking and not looking at the camera
• Landscape format is preferred.
• Don't over edit or crop too tightly.
• Supply high resolution photos (300 dpi minimum).

Remember, when shooting on-location, be sure to follow safety guidelines and ensure any photos captured show a safe work environment, with the right practices, equipment and clothing.

When supplying photos as part of a nomination, you are confirming all parties pictured consent to us using the photos to promote the Queensland Training Awards and related government programs and initiatives. Photos will also be supplied to the Australian Training Awards for state winners that progress to nationals.

If other people feature in your photos or you are supplying photos on behalf of an organisation or project, be sure to check it's okay with all those included. Emails or other written records are recommended.

• Keep your wording clear and simple.
• It's okay to use dot points.
• Use spell check, correct grammar and stick to the word counts.
• Make sure you list the names of your qualification, training provider, employer etc. correctly.
• Make sure that your nomination information is presented in a way that clearly addresses the selection criteria in your award category. Use the nomination questions as headings. You may also choose to include subheadings.
• Focus on giving practical examples and evidence to support your statements in your responses. General statements such as 'I am a good team member', 'I have an understanding of industry trends' or 'training is fundamental to the success of our business' must be supported with clear evidence and practical examples.
• Judging panels are looking for evidence of how training has contributed to career and study plans, and the development of skills and achievements to date, as well as examples of how training may have helped in achieving other pursuits.
• Within your responses, be sure to highlight what you believe makes you or your organisation stand out from others. It may be helpful to think of the nomination as an application for a highly-prized position or business contract.
• Make sure relevant information in your overview section is repeated where needed in your selection criteria responses, as the overview section is not considered in the assessment process.
• Do not exceed the strict word limits per selection criteria or maximum number of attachments.

Check that you have:

• chosen the correct region for your nomination
• met all eligibility criteria for your chosen award category
• addressed all the selection criteria relating to your chosen award category
• completed all sections on the online nomination portal
• submitted all attachments correctly.

You will need to indicate that you have read and understood the declaration on the online nomination portal and agree to the conditions of entry before hitting submit.

All the best with your nomination and good luck!