Last Updated: Friday, September 4, 2026
VOTING FOR THE FINAL 12 — CLOSED
The Preliminary Instagram Voting Round to determine the 12 finalist positions is officially closed.
Close Your Eyes Photo is currently reviewing and validating the voting results before confirming the finalists.
Votes submitted after Thursday, September 3, 2026 at 11:59 PM CT are not included in the final count.
Thank you to everyone who supported this year’s participants!
The finalists will be announced through the official Close Your Eyes Photo channels.
HOW THE FINAL 12 PRELIMINARY VOTE WORKED
To cast a valid vote, supporters were required to:
- Comment on the official competition post.
- Include the participant’s official competition hashtag.
- Briefly explain why they believed that participant should advance to the final 12.
Supporters were permitted to vote for multiple participants, but only one valid vote per participant from each Instagram account could be counted.
Invalid or non-compliant voting activity may be excluded during the final validation process.
THE FINALIST PHOTOSHOOT EXPERIENCE
Participants selected as finalists will advance to the official competition photoshoot on September 26, 2026, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM CT at Close Your Eyes Photo Studio in Houston, Texas.
Each finalist will arrive in their completed clown look and have an official full-body competition portrait created for the next stage of the competition.
The Finalist Photoshoot Experience is an alcohol-free space with non-alcoholic refreshments available. Participants must be 18 years of age or older.
FINALIST PERK
The 12 finalists selected through the Preliminary Instagram Voting Round will each receive a complimentary two-ticket pack to Mania Clown House, courtesy of Grey Matter x Phobia Haunted Houses.
Additional redemption details will be provided directly to the recipients.
Additional redemption details will be provided directly to the finalists.
THE GRAND FINAL VOTE
After the Finalist Photoshoot Experience, the official finalist portraits will enter the Grand Final Voting Round.
Final voting details and official participation instructions will be announced before the Grand Final Voting Round begins.
The public will help determine the winner of the Halloween Clown Competition, who will receive the:
$1,000 GRAND PRIZE
A $1,000 Photography Certificate with Close Your Eyes Photo, redeemable toward two photoshoots and photography services associated with those sessions. Terms and conditions apply.
SUPPORT THE COMPETITION
The Halloween Clown Competition is built around creativity, photography, performance, and community.
We’re welcoming brands, businesses, artists, and community partners interested in supporting the competition and the people bringing it to life.
Any changes to competition dates, deadlines, voting periods, schedules, or other important competition details will be communicated through the official Close Your Eyes Photo channels. Please refer to official Close Your Eyes Photo announcements for the most current competition information. Participation in the Halloween Clown Competition is subject to the Official Rules & Terms and the Close Your Eyes Photo Privacy Policy.