Connect with Local Photographers

Though the ultimate goal of a photographer is to get clients and make money doing something he or she loves, it is important not to neglect one of the best sources of leads: other photographers! Oftentimes a lucky professional will have more opportunities than he or she can take on. When that happens, the photographer will usually refer the potential client to another professional that is capable of handling the project. But how do you connect with other photographers, and how do you make sure you get on their list of referrals? There are tons of resources you can use! Start off connecting with our peers and instructors using this fabulous introduction by the Wednesday ambassador, then read on for ideas on how to network outside our program.

Meetups are a great way to get out, shoot, and meet others interested in photography. Some groups set up model shoots complete with wardrobe, makeup, and hair styling. Others focus more on local places or events. You’ll find all levels of photographers in these groups and can join in any meetup that interests you. Meetups I have attended include a visit to Architectural Artifacts (a vintage/antique furnishings warehouse), a tour of Intelligentsia Coffee, and a winter celebration complete with rescue huskies! If you don't see a group that fits your interests, create your own and set up any type of outing you can think of. Others will be happy you have taken the initiative.

Some web hosts for pro photographers have local groups that meet to discuss various issues relating to the industry. SmugMug is my web host of choice, and its local groups are called “SMUGs” (SmugMug User Groups). Similarly, a host called Pictage has local “PUGs” (Pictage User Groups). You don’t even have to use these web hosts to attend the groups, so check out if there’s one in your area. From such groups, I’ve learned about accounting for photographers, shared strategies for promoting products like albums, and even met for social outings where photography was the unifier but not the only topic discussed. At one meeting, I connected with students of another program that were interested in shooting events. I used one as a second shooter for two weddings (see one of her photos below, of me shooting a bride and groom's portrait) and referred the other to shoot an event for a friend. You can meet all kinds of people that just might help you get a break into the genre you’re most interested in.

Photograph by A. Rearnkham for Carolyn Lloyd Photography

You don’t even have to leave your computer to network (though I do recommend it!). There are a plethora of online forums in which you can submit images for critique or discuss new gear. Whatever your interest, there’s a forum for that! Check out PPA’s theLoop or a relative newcomer, The Professional Photography Forum. If you have a favorite forum you’d like to share, please do so in the comments!

Happy networking!

-Friday Ambassador

*Please note that I am out of the country with limited Internet access, so I may not be able to respond to comments today. However, I really want to hear your thoughts or questions and will get back to you as soon as I am able.

My First Club & MM Shooting!

Hello again and welcome to another Terrific Tuesday!

We have talked in the past about becoming members of several organizations that are there to help us.  With some of us finishing our studies, we are looking for ways to keep our skills up to part and keep shooting after graduation.  Networking is always important in our field, meeting new people and interacting with them is vital to keep our presence fresh out there in the community and in the internet.

This last week I joined with a local Photography group in Killeen, TX just to see what it was all about.  The group meets every other week sometimes in the weekends and sometimes in the middle of the week.  This was a great way to meet other people that see photography as a passion while at the same time getting to know other professionals in the fields of make-up and hair styling.  They had two models that are listed on Model Mayhem coming over for some constructive criticism and for us to see and listen to their point of view when it came to posing them and taking their images.  After the presentation we had time to set up the studio equipment and practice some studio shooting.  Below are some of the images I took that day.

            

At the end of the meeting they signed some model release forms for us so we are able to use the images on out websites, the flip side was that we also gave her permission to use our images for her profile.

There were some Pro's as well as some Con's about doing all this, let me explain:

Pro's
1.  I met some people in my field of study and passion,that understood where I come from when dealing with photography.
2.  Networking and meeting hair stylist and MUA's that are part of the group.
3.  I use their equipment, Alien Bees and 48" Beauty dishes, their backgrounds and props.
4.  Membership for the group is free, we split the cost of the paid assignment for the model, the other model used TFP (time for prints).
5.  I got to practice with a new model that I have never met and got her critique about my techniques.
6.  I have new images that I can use on my website.

Con's
1.  Shooting time was limited, we did three rounds with 3 minutes of shooting every time.
2.  Concept was somewhat missing as we all shot a standard setting, the model selected the poses.
3.  No variations in the set up and the lights since they had to be done in a way that minimized preparation time between shooters.
4.  No control over the lighting.
5.  The membership is open with amateurs, new photographers, hobbyist, professionals all being in the same group when shooting began.

As you can see there were some good points as well as others that could be addressed to the coordinator.  But the overall point is very simple; networking helps you!

Do not sit still and just do what your studies require you to do, go out there and meet people and be part of something!  Do some research and see what is offered around your community when it comes to photography groups or clubs, they can offer some interesting options for you,and who knows, you might end up expanding your area of operations!

Go out and see what you can find, it doesn't have to be a big organization, this group only has 40 members and the shootings are first come first served with variety in the subject matter.  You can share what you are learning and see how it is done out there in the real world (more or less).

Have a great and fantastic Tuesday!