Photography Conference Tips
Ahhh, Fall – it’s “busy season” for portrait photographers and also time to start planning which photography conferences or workshops to attend when the slow time rolls around. Many major conferences happen in the first months of the new year and offer “early bird” discounts for signing up and getting everything in place now. But which conference to choose? There are so many great speakers and trade shows it can be hard to pick one. Here are a few photography conference tips and advice from this photo mama with over twenty years experience:
To Thine own Self be True
So, here is the great thing about being 40 something – you really know yourself. One thing I know is that I love being around people and can be fairly extroverted in small groups but put me in a room with a thousand other photographers and I suddenly become an introvert. I’m also a small town girl so big cities tend overwhelm me. Even though I know all that I’ve been a pretty regular WPPI attendee. That means putting myself out there in big workshops in a huge hotel in Las Vegas. For days on end. Ugh. I’m not saying I don’t get a lot out of attending WPPI, I always do. It’s an amazing conference, but I always come back exhausted from it all. The last few years I’ve been searching for smaller workshops or local conferences to attend. A place where I can connect with other photographers and learn without being ridiculously out of my comfort zone. Lately, I’m drawn to conferences that operate on a much smaller scale than the big guys, knowing that is going to be a better fit for me all around. I might have a little FOMO (fear of missing out) if I don’t go to WPPI or Imaging USA but potentially enjoying the whole conference experience rather than just enduring it for educational purposes is a huge factor in my decision making process. So my advice? Give some thought to the best fit for your own personality and learning style before signing up.
Set Goals
This is different for me every year. One year I will be all about learning new lighting techniques and the next year I find myself taking mostly marketing classes. Sometimes my main goal is simply to hang out at the trade show seeing the latest gear and products. I do try to create a well rounded schedule for myself but with a focus. If I don’t think about what I want to take away from the conference I can come home feeling like I have all these great new ideas but not a clue what to do with it all! I recommend that you land on at least one goal. It helps to have that in mind when divvying up your time at the conference.
Pace Yourself
Don’t try to do it all, my dear. The temptation is strong to hit every meetup, every early morning photo walk and every late night party. Again, FOMO – but take my advice and pace yourself. You really can’t do it all well, remember to take some time to enjoy yourself and relax. I remember flying to a conference one year with a group of local photographers and everyone was excited and eager to go – fresh faces all around. I saw some of those photographers a few days into the conference and they all looked incredibly exhausted. I knew from social media posts that they were going to EVERYTHING. It takes time to learn that you will still get plenty from the conference even if you spend one night in your room resting and binge watching “Friends” episodes.
I hope these Photography Conference Tips help you as you think about the next event you want to attend! I have always come away with at least one valuable nugget from every conference and I’ve never regretted investing in myself and my business in that way. Check out the Eventbrite website to attend or plan an event near you.
