If I had a chance to do it again, the only thing I would change would be this: As soon as my daughter walked out, I would throw my camera on continuous shooting and fire away. It wouldn't effect any other contestants. They would be pissed and tell me to put my camera away. By that time, she would be off stage and I would be leaving. Good riddance.
Please feel free to tell me how wrong that would be to break the pageant rules

I would have paid to see that. LOL!!!
You know what? I believe we all agree with you on this. It is sad that you have to pay so much for it and then have to pay for the photographs. It's fine that they hire someone to take them if it was out of the safety of the children, and include a disc with the images of your child in the entry fee.
But what they are doing is plain and simple ripping off.
Anyway - you do have a beautiful daughter and she is lucky to have parents like you.

