wirehead arts wrote:
I dono.  I avoid M&G styled events as a general rule because most of them seem to be GWC-fests.

So what about removing the picture taking aspect?  It would simply be that...a meet'n'greet.  No cameras allowed, though portfolios more than welcome.  A way for people in this area to get together, meet one another, make plans and such if that works out for them...

~Jer

wirehead arts wrote:
I dono.  I avoid M&G styled events as a general rule because most of them seem to be GWC-fests.

Not all Meet N Greets are GWC fests. Up here in the Seattle area, there is a M-N-G hosted by a photographer every month for nearly a year. And each month it is progressively larger than the previous meeting.

We do have photographers with more than a years experience but there have been accredited Makeup artists who have been in attendance. Not to mention the models with different backgrounds.

Also, theres usually backdrop sets and lights preset for people who want to do test shots with models. The lighting is generic but is always moved around depending on each photogs different style or like.

Isis wrote:
bump.

??? it was at the top of the section already.  ?

Absinthe Photography wrote:
Hey there, not sure what section to post this, so shooting for General. 

So, I've been thinking about holding a meet and greet for the locals in my area...but wanted to find out some details!

First off, do you think M&G's are worth the time and energy?  It seems like they are, giving people a chance to get together in a single place and time and get to know each other and network and such!

Second, for those of you that have held one, what is necessary?  What kind of space are we talking?  How long should one be?  What kind of advance notice?

Third, I'd like to allow people to shoot at the M&G, if they are so inclined...so should there be a charge at the door?  Or should there be a charge only if you want to shoot?  Or any charge at all?

Is there any other suggestions you have?  What kind of successes or failures have you witnessed or been a party to? 

Thanks for any info you can share!  And happy new year to all!
~Jer

Hello all,
I would like to thank Rick (RO) for posting to this thread.
I'm the host of this networking event in the Seattle area and would like to add to the list of reasons our meetings are a success.

As Rick mentioned the numbers have steadily increased over the months and we seem to be leveling off around 40-45 members each meeting.

I would like to address a few of the questions regarding who and why hold a meet and greet for photographers, models, makeup artist and stylist.

How do you set up a networking event?
Team work is paramount. It takes a few people that are goal orientated to pull together and get the word out to the selected audience you wish to attract.
Emails, casual conversations, talk to other professionals at other seminars or artist gatherings and invite them.
I always say, “I didn’t put the meeting together aloneâ€?.

What kind of space
I’ve held the meetings in a warehouse, and a defunct restaurant that will seat about 80 people.
We will have two studio sets complete with strobes and backdrop at each meeting.

Photographers are encouraged to shoot
One of the main ideas behind holding a networking event was to bring models and photographers together face to face in a neutral setting so they could test shoot and talk to see if there is a good enough feeling to set up a follow-up shoot.
How many times would you like to shoot with a certain model or photographer and the timing wasn’t right or you would rather meet and talk first?
The meeting takes care of that nicely.

Should you charge a door?
I don’t charge for my meet and greet.
I have left a donation jar out to help defray the cost of some food/soda that was bought out of pocket.
I do pay rent on the building I use, so it’s not a free ride. There will be some cost incurred and you will have to make up your mind to either bite the bullet or ask for help with a door cost.
Our meetings are set on the second Saturday of each month and start at 6pm, we started to run it as an open potluck style meeting so some people will be able to snack while there.

There is another option and that is to license your self as a non-profit organization, in that you would be able to use some community centers in your area for free. There is a draw back for this route in that most community centers close at about 10pm. Witch leads me to the length of time a meeting should be.

How long should the meeting be?
Our meetings run 5 hours long.
Well kind of…it’s 5 hours from the scheduled starting time until the equipment is broken down and the lights are turned off. We talk for about an hour, maybe more. Introductions and topics of discussion, then we break up and start shooting while members mingle and chat.
Remember when I said I don’t do this alone? There are several members of my group that donate time and equipment to make the magic happen.
I have two photographers (Donald & Rod) that bring their lights to every meeting, one photographer (RO) that helps recruit new members, types up spread sheets and helps organize, one model/makeup artist (Meehshel) that helps with most all my typing and clerical type duties. If not for all the help and support I get from the group members, the meetings would not be as successful as they are.

I try to send out the invitation 2 weeks in advance, (key word is try)

Draw backs
Parking is our only issue.

I’m open for questions via email, I might not see a question if you ask it on this thread.

Craig

Monsante Bey wrote:
they started a monthly one in ATL back in 2001, it's still going strong. I had a lot of fun attending these events because you could "let your down" and just be yourself without the pressures of shooting.

It was great there, because all types of people attended. from the HIGH fashion to the GOTH.

That’s very encouraging.
We get kind of the same mix even with some published photographers shooting with the newer shooters (myself).

Richard Art wrote:
Cheers!
Yes!It's well worth it!I held an "Alt" Photographer and Model's meet n' greet in
2003 and 2004("Femme Fatale Seattle") before converting it into a column(for the
time being) in a local Alternative paper in 2005/6.

If anything,people get to meet face-to-face,check out portfolios and get to have their picture taken in a supportive environment.Additionally,it gave newer Photographers a chance to learn from the seasoned pros as well as experiment with honing their skills.
As far as the pro-shooters went-the event gave them another oppurtunity to further
promote their own work.So really it worked out for the novice and skilled alike.For the
Models-again it gave them a chance to network/promote and get some shots taken.
For the record-particularly if the Model was inclined to more risque' material-the event provided a safe place to do so in(when promoting the event I did ask that the Models respect each other's choices in the content they chose to do).

Seattle is fortunate in that there's alot of Model/Photographer events(Thanks Craig!)
to participate in and these events can be calibrated to the type of crowd you want!
Cheers in advance!

Thank you for the post Richard!!

It was after attending your event in Sept 2004 at the Richard Hugo house that I started thinking what a great idea that was.

Being a brand new photographer as well as not knowing but 2 people in the artist community (Richard and Jeanny K), I was stuck at trying and trying to get the word out there that a networking meeting was taking place.

I started in Seattle with no luck at all and then took like 6 month off promoting the meet and greet, then in June 2005 when I held a meet n greet at Intencities studio in Kent WA. and from there it's just kept getting better each time.

Demri wrote:
I like the meet and greets that Craig hosts.  Its a nice chance to actually meet the photographers and models.  A lot of people you only know by name or alias.  I really dont know about charging money, though, but thats just me.

Thank you Demri. I think you may be the most photographed model that our meet and greet has.

I want to say you've met and shot with like 12 different photographers in only 4 meetings?

Correct me if I'm wrong here

Vaughn wrote:
Are they worth the time and hassle?  Oh yes…very much so. It is especially valuable for a part-time shooter like me. My busy like makes it difficult to adequately network online, so an event like this is very beneficial to all involved. Like someone else mentioned before, I've seen some extremely talented and creative people at these events. If I hang out with them enough, I may be inspired enough to transform my boring portfolio into something of merit.

Craig facilitates a great event, so if you're within driving distance, make very effort to be there!

Vaughn wrote:
Are they worth the time and hassle?  Oh yes…very much so. It is especially valuable for a part-time shooter like me. My busy like makes it difficult to adequately network online, so an event like this is very beneficial to all involved. Like someone else mentioned before, I've seen some extremely talented and creative people at these events. If I hang out with them enough, I may be inspired enough to transform my boring portfolio into something of merit.

Craig facilitates a great event, so if you're within driving distance, make very effort to be there!

Vaughn:

I have to fully agree!  Like yourself and so many others, I’m a part-time shooter, full time employee, full time husband and full time father.  The part-time shooter life makes it difficult to network and meet other professionals in the industry.

Before I became involved with Craig and his group, my studio lights sat in the garage, retail film was all I ever purchased and the thought of shooting the images I desired to shoot was only a dream.

Since I’ve begun attending these M&G’s…
…the lights get used no less than once a month, though often two to three.
…I’ve went back to pro film and re-established my dying relationship with a pro lab.  …I’ve purchased a digital camera to assist those who prefer digital negs &/or instant results.  ( much faster than the neg scanner too! )
…I’ve established a relationship with a “muse coupleâ€? that allows me to experiment various style.  ( would have never had the courage to ask without the positive support of the meet and greet folks )
…I’ve received e-mails from two models that wish to shoot with me, that I would have never met otherwise because of life style and age differences.

Are the meet and greets worth it? Well … if you still ask …for you they probably are not.

Kudos to Craig, photogs, models, MAU’s, friends and family at the NWPhotoExchange!

Craig Thomson wrote:

Hello all,
I would like to thank Rick (RO) for posting to this thread.
I'm the host of this networking event in the Seattle area and would like to add to the list of reasons our meetings are a success.

As Rick mentioned the numbers have steadily increased over the months and we seem to be leveling off around 40-45 members each meeting.

I would like to address a few of the questions regarding who and why hold a meet and greet for photographers, models, makeup artist and stylist.

How do you set up a networking event?
Team work is paramount. It takes a few people that are goal orientated to pull together and get the word out to the selected audience you wish to attract.
Emails, casual conversations, talk to other professionals at other seminars or artist gatherings and invite them.
I always say, “I didn’t put the meeting together aloneâ€?.

What kind of space
I’ve held the meetings in a warehouse, and a defunct restaurant that will seat about 80 people.
We will have two studio sets complete with strobes and backdrop at each meeting.

Photographers are encouraged to shoot
One of the main ideas behind holding a networking event was to bring models and photographers together face to face in a neutral setting so they could test shoot and talk to see if there is a good enough feeling to set up a follow-up shoot.
How many times would you like to shoot with a certain model or photographer and the timing wasn’t right or you would rather meet and talk first?
The meeting takes care of that nicely.

Should you charge a door?
I don’t charge for my meet and greet.
I have left a donation jar out to help defray the cost of some food/soda that was bought out of pocket.
I do pay rent on the building I use, so it’s not a free ride. There will be some cost incurred and you will have to make up your mind to either bite the bullet or ask for help with a door cost.
Our meetings are set on the second Saturday of each month and start at 6pm, we started to run it as an open potluck style meeting so some people will be able to snack while there.

There is another option and that is to license your self as a non-profit organization, in that you would be able to use some community centers in your area for free. There is a draw back for this route in that most community centers close at about 10pm. Witch leads me to the length of time a meeting should be.

How long should the meeting be?
Our meetings run 5 hours long.
Well kind of…it’s 5 hours from the scheduled starting time until the equipment is broken down and the lights are turned off. We talk for about an hour, maybe more. Introductions and topics of discussion, then we break up and start shooting while members mingle and chat.
Remember when I said I don’t do this alone? There are several members of my group that donate time and equipment to make the magic happen.
I have two photographers (Donald & Rod) that bring their lights to every meeting, one photographer (RO) that helps recruit new members, types up spread sheets and helps organize, one model/makeup artist (Meehshel) that helps with most all my typing and clerical type duties. If not for all the help and support I get from the group members, the meetings would not be as successful as they are.

I try to send out the invitation 2 weeks in advance, (key word is try)

Draw backs
Parking is our only issue.

I’m open for questions via email, I might not see a question if you ask it on this thread.

Craig

Parking the only issue??????? 

WTF?

How about Tacoma traffic and the lack of a beer opener????

LOL

Actually, Craig does a wonderful job at organizing a local meet and greet, nothing but a great group of people and an outstanding opportuinty to meet new friends and see what others are shooting with, tips, etc...

PDXImaging wrote:
Parking the only issue??????? 

WTF?

How about Tacoma traffic and the lack of a beer opener????

LOL

Actually, Craig does a wonderful job at organizing a local meet and greet, nothing but a great group of people and an outstanding opportuinty to meet new friends and see what others are shooting with, tips, etc...

LMAO - Gordon, your check is in the mail....

PDXImaging wrote:

Parking the only issue??????? 

WTF?

How about Tacoma traffic and the lack of a beer opener????

LOL

Actually, Craig does a wonderful job at organizing a local meet and greet, nothing but a great group of people and an outstanding opportuinty to meet new friends and see what others are shooting with, tips, etc...

I thought photographers from Portland just opened things with their teeth LOL

Craig Thomson wrote:
Hello all,
I would like to thank Rick (RO) for posting to this thread.
I'm the host of this networking event in the Seattle area and would like to add to the list of reasons our meetings are a success.
Craig

Thanks Craig but Im just a small cog in the machinery. Im just glad to help.

Craig Thomson wrote:
Hello all,
I would like to thank Rick (RO) for posting to this thread.
I'm the host of this networking event in the Seattle area and would like to add to the list of reasons our meetings are a success.

As Rick mentioned the numbers have steadily increased over the months and we seem to be leveling off around 40-45 members each meeting.

I would like to address a few of the questions regarding who and why hold a meet and greet for photographers, models, makeup artist and stylist.

How do you set up a networking event?
Team work is paramount. It takes a few people that are goal orientated to pull together and get the word out to the selected audience you wish to attract.
Emails, casual conversations, talk to other professionals at other seminars or artist gatherings and invite them.
I always say, “I didn’t put the meeting together aloneâ€?.

What kind of space
I’ve held the meetings in a warehouse, and a defunct restaurant that will seat about 80 people.
We will have two studio sets complete with strobes and backdrop at each meeting.

Photographers are encouraged to shoot
One of the main ideas behind holding a networking event was to bring models and photographers together face to face in a neutral setting so they could test shoot and talk to see if there is a good enough feeling to set up a follow-up shoot.
How many times would you like to shoot with a certain model or photographer and the timing wasn’t right or you would rather meet and talk first?
The meeting takes care of that nicely.

Should you charge a door?
I don’t charge for my meet and greet.
I have left a donation jar out to help defray the cost of some food/soda that was bought out of pocket.
I do pay rent on the building I use, so it’s not a free ride. There will be some cost incurred and you will have to make up your mind to either bite the bullet or ask for help with a door cost.
Our meetings are set on the second Saturday of each month and start at 6pm, we started to run it as an open potluck style meeting so some people will be able to snack while there.

There is another option and that is to license your self as a non-profit organization, in that you would be able to use some community centers in your area for free. There is a draw back for this route in that most community centers close at about 10pm. Witch leads me to the length of time a meeting should be.

How long should the meeting be?
Our meetings run 5 hours long.
Well kind of…it’s 5 hours from the scheduled starting time until the equipment is broken down and the lights are turned off. We talk for about an hour, maybe more. Introductions and topics of discussion, then we break up and start shooting while members mingle and chat.
Remember when I said I don’t do this alone? There are several members of my group that donate time and equipment to make the magic happen.
I have two photographers (Donald & Rod) that bring their lights to every meeting, one photographer (RO) that helps recruit new members, types up spread sheets and helps organize, one model/makeup artist (Meehshel) that helps with most all my typing and clerical type duties. If not for all the help and support I get from the group members, the meetings would not be as successful as they are.

I try to send out the invitation 2 weeks in advance, (key word is try)

Draw backs
Parking is our only issue.

I’m open for questions via email, I might not see a question if you ask it on this thread.

Craig

I enjoy going to the meetings myself. I like the idea of people getting together and helping each other out, especially if you're someone who is serious about somehow learning the ropes in/about the industry. Because we have such a wide range of individuals (ranging from the new shooters to the pros) that have been in attendance at the last couple of meetings, it's given me a good opportunity to find out about different aspects of the industry and not just the modeling side.

I also like how we have 'group topic discussions' for each meeting we attend. Craig will come up with an idea or question he'd like to know more about and ask everyone what they're opinions on the matter are. Some of the examples of our topic discussions are even topics that I've seen talked about here on the forums at times. It's great to be able to have a group discussion in person on who feels strongly about what and voice their opinions, but not in a rude/downer type way.

Just my two cents

Absinthe Photography wrote:
Awesome!  So much great info!

I definitely feel that holding a M&G around my local area would be beneficial, and a ton of fun!

Thanks for all of the advice...it definitely helps me narrow down what I have to do, and where I should have it, etc etc...

I'll let you all know how it goes!    Thanks again!
~Jer

I really hope you follow the idea and some of the suggestions posted here.

Good luck with your dreams,
Craig

Craig Thomson wrote:
I really hope you follow the idea and some of the suggestions posted here.

Good luck with your dreams,
Craig

Definitely!  It's currently in the works, and I'm looking for a location to host it at!

Thanks again to everyone who lent their 2 cents (or more)!
~Jer