Beautiful Babies, Cute Kids Pose For Charity Contest

AVENTURA (CBS4) -- Calling all cute toddlers and beautiful babies as the quest begins in South Florida once again for America's Most Photogenic Baby of 2011.

Photographers will be at Aventura Mall on Thursday Jan. 27 through Sunday January 30th.

America's Most Photogenic Baby is a fun and charitable event benefiting Children's Miracle Network hospitals nationwide. Here in South Florida, the annual event raises between $10,000 - $20,000 each year for Miami Children's Hospital and since its inception in 1993, has raised over $3 million for Children's Miracle Network hospitals nationwide.

All children from infants to 5 year-olds are eligible. There are four age groups: infants; one year-olds; 2 & 3 year-olds and 4 & 5 year-olds.

The contest includes four categories: beautiful, fashionable, precious and comical.

Photographer Mike Guo says he takes candid shots of the children whether they smile or cry.  "It's what we call a fashion shoot.  Kids moving around, parents talking to them, we snap away and get some great shots."  He added, "It's about children helping children".

Kristina Benitez has entered her daughter, Katelyn, three years in a row.  "My husband's family lives in another country, so it's a great way for them to see her in different stages of her life."

There is a $35 entry fee per category, which includes a photo shoot of about 15 shots. All photographs are taken by American Performing Arts Network.

Contestant photos are put on display for judging and voting on February 25th & 26th, and winners are announced in an awards presentation on February 27th at 1:00 p.m.

Proud parents can bring their children from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday; 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday for the professional modeling photo shoot.

There are two ways to win:

• Judge's Choice winners: based on the points given by a panel of judges consisting of modeling professionals.
• Voter's Choice winners: chosen based on the donations raised for Children's Miracle Network hospitals.

Vote tickets are 50 cents each. Proceeds from the voting benefit Children's Miracle Network and Miami Children's Hospital Foundation. Families, who turn in $100 or more in vote ticket donation money, will receive a CD with all the photos taken of their children during the photo shoot.

For more information, click here for www.photogenicbaby.com.