
YMM Parent’s fourth cover contest now open
The hunt for YMM Parent Magazine’s next cover winner is on for its fourth annual publication, which will launch in June 2021.
This year, we have partnered with The Alley YMM and Thomas Hopkins Photography to bring another incredible opportunity to our readers.
The purpose of our annual contest is to showcase how family-focused our region is. And, when our residents get the chance to be on the cover, they help us tell our region’s story by sharing theirs.
- YMM Parent Issue 1 – Photo by Taylor Dawn Photography
- YMM Parent Issue 2 – Photo by Life and Portraits
- YMM Parent Issue 3 – Photo Emily Gale Photography
Since the inception of YMM Parent, we’ve had the opportunity to meet three families; the Knox Family, the St. Denis Family and the Suresh Family. Not only were they featured in our publication, but we also matched them with some of the best photographers in the region to provide them with portrait keepsakes. Click on the family names to read their stories!
In 2020, it was the first time we partnered with a local business, and Boston Pizza offered a family night out. It was a gamechanger for our contest as we discovered it allows us to help families create even more memories together.
The Alley YMM’s Family Experience
This year, our partnership with The Alley YMM will give the winning family one free hour of bowling, play cards for access to its arcade and a pizza meal for them to enjoy.
With COVID restriction still set in place, The Alley YMM has recently been able to open for bowling with private bookings, and we are all hopeful more opportunities to get out will come soon. In the meantime, check out their website and social media platforms for regular updates. They also have a great food menu available.
I, personally, recommend the family pizza-making kits. My family recently purchased one, and it was a great bonding experience. It also gave us an idea to start doing cooking classes together at home. Stay tuned for more this summer as I plan to blog about it.
Hopkins’ Debut Magazine Cover Shoot

Thomas Hopkins
As for our 2021 photographer extraordinaire, Thomas Hopkins, this will be his debut magazine cover shoot. I’ve been checking out Hopkins’ social media platforms for over a year now and love everything he is doing in our community through his work.
From adorable birth announcements, residents with their furbabies, engagement photos with majestic horses, even his recent venture with local endurance runner Jessica Leska who ran 200-kilometres to promote the Wood Buffalo region, he has a natural way of capturing moments. I already can’t wait to see what he does for our front!
How to Enter
It’s simple! Send your favourite at-home photo to me at dawn@balsom.ca and share why you choose it.
The photo can be of anything. It can be of your family, pet or a favourite game you all play at home together. Perhaps you have an artist in your household, and the photo is one of their latest creations.
Maybe your submission is a photo of a broken mug with an incredible story behind it to share. Telling us why it’s your favourite will be what we want to know most about because that’s what we do at YMM Parent; we help share your stories.
Prize Package
Thomas Hopkins Photography Family Photo Shoot with up to 10 professional digital photos on-location at The Alley YMM (COVID-19 restrictions pending).
The Alley YMM Experience Package with one-hour of bowling and shoe rentals, a 24-inch pizza with appetizers and refreshments, as well as play cards for access to its arcade.
The contest deadline is April 17, 2021. Must be a resident of the Wood Buffalo region to enter. If you have any questions, send me an email or get in touch through our YMM Parent social media platforms and I will be happy to answer. Happy submitting!