One of the most popular features on today’s cellular telephones is the camera. It’s a great tool for taking pictures of life’s unexpected moments. Although cell phone cameras are usually not as feature-rich as stand-alone digital cameras, they can still take some amazing pictures. Now, you have a chance to show off your best cell phone photos and be eligible for great prizes!

SMU is pleased to announce our first ever SMU Phone Photo Contest! The contest is open to any SMU customer with i wireless service. There are four categories for entries: People, Places, Pets, and Things. You may enter one photo per category.

Judging will take place in two steps. First, all of the entries in each category will be evaluated by a panel of professional photographers. The panel will choose five finalists in each category (People, Places, Pets, and Things). The five finalists’ photos will then be put online for customers to vote on. The photo receiving the highest number of votes in each category will be declared the winner of the People’s Choice Award.

The judges panel will also select one Judges Choice Award winner from among all the finalists. The four People’s Choice Award winner and the Judges Choice winner will each receive a $100 VISA gift card and a trophy. Non-winning finalists will each receive a $25 VISA gift card.

To enter, send your photo via picture message (MMS) to the following phone number: 712-346-7940. In the body of the message you must include your name, address, i wireless cell phone number, and the model of phone that you used to take the picture. If you are not set up for picture messaging on your account, give us a call at 580-5800 and we can activate it. If you would like us to help you send the picture, stop by our Customer Service Center.

Entries must be received by July 10, 2009 at 4:00pm. Standard picture messaging charges will apply (25¢ each). Again, you may enter only ONE photo in each category. Photos taken with a traditional digital camera will not be accepted. By placing your entry, you are giving SMU permission to put the photo on the web if it is chosen as a finalist, and to use the entry for other promotional purposes.

Online voting for the finalists will take place from July 15, 2009 through August 14, 2009 at 4:00pm. A link to the online voting page for each category will be placed on the SMU web page at www.smunet.net/contest.asp.

Winners will be announced live on The Spencer Channel at Noon on August 17th.

Good luck, shutterbugs!

Click here for official contest rules.