Networking Events... Need Advice and Opinions.

[ChrisAdval]

I value highly networking in person more than anything else and I feel and believe strongly I have a better impression in person than online networking would have with the persons I meet within a networking event or environment, etc... Now I'm talking to those who do value networking in person only and understand the differences of online than in person are by far huge differences.


Problem: I want to network mostly with fellow makeup artists, models, wardrobe stylists, hair stylists, and retouchers...And maybe photographers too for future clientele of doing workshops in the future if demand is there, but having the network there before I do start doing workshops, that would save me a lot of time when I am ready to do so.

There are networking events in my area, but they're mostly are photoshoot events where models and photographers pay a fee to enter, I have no real interest in that because I'm only interested in shooting models in a model photography photoshoot only on a one on one basis (right now). And they tend to be very overpriced or just too much for me right now, generally around $70-$80+ for entry.

So my solution I think is to run my own networking event (just networking, no photoshoots). Problem is I don't know how to find a venue (don't want to use personal home/property), and I have hard time setting up the math involved of what I need to charge to make money back and don't get a loss in profit from running a networking event and at least break even. Such as how many people I need to pay in order to break even... My idea is to possibly charging to anyone who want to display their work in person, with a table of presentation with their printed work, published work, services available, rates, past known clients, whatever they want honestly that's relevant to their business they're advertising, and anyone from Makeup artists, photographers, etc... anyone can have their own table and the whole purpose for those advertising on their own tables would be advertising their services to potential clients... i.e. makeup artists' potential clients are photographers, same goes for wardrobe stylists, hair stylists, and models... etc.

Maybe small mini local model photography convention? And charge $10-$20 at the door, 10% discount if ordered before...? Don't know just throwing out ideas... or just charging the presenters/advertisers with tables and letting anyone else in thats on a list (free to register).

I know online networking would be easier for a lot of people but since the model photography arena is soo shaded meeting in person and building a small and/or quick connection before hand makes it a lot easier for those interested in doing business even if its trade work.

Tell me what you guys think and recommend, but please if you don't understand the value in person networking I'm not looking for a debate on this right now I'm just looking to expand my chances in networking with people that I've mentioned and online has not helped or at least not good enough for me vs. in-person networking has much better results for me of getting work from start to end.

[Niresangwa]

So, let me get this straight...

you don't want to pay to attend the networking events of others, (that have shoot-outs, established venues etc.) yet you expect others to pay to attend yours (which really only has... you)?

Again, your goals are lofty and admirable, (as always) but perhaps you need to start thinking a little smaller?

Use the virtual network to actually *build* a network of noob MUAs, Designers etc. Make a FB group, something like that and actually pool your resources, rather than trying to stage an event solo, where you have zero experience or local credibility. Identify some likely willing noobs and try and sell them on the idea.

Once you have that, even if it's just a couple of each of you, it will be much easier to actually hold an event.

You're not going to even get this close to getting off the ground, without a whole lot of leg work, and a decent chunk of capitol.

If you don't do it right, you'll damage your reputation. Don't forget that.

[graciousness]

+1 with what Steve said.

Also, you don't seem to have any clear ideas about this networking event you want to do. Why would people want to go to it and pay money aside from just meeting people? And only 'possibly' other photographers? Why not open to all including photographers? You can't expect to be the only photographer in this kind of event. They don't know who you are and you're not a big time photographer to draw any crowd in an event.

And because you have no clear ideas on what and hows of this event, you have no clue what expenses will be. Like your concern is to make sure you get money back for an event like this, but you don't even know how much it will cost yet. And then already have a per ticket price of $10 to $20? You're kinda working backwards with this whole thing.

I think you really need to concentrate on improving your photography at this time. You really need a strong portfolio and keep working at that if you want to be taken seriously by people in the industry. Your desires are so strong but that's not enough to get you in the door.

What I would suggest that you do as far as networking is get in touch with fashion colleges and work with fashion designer students. Liaise with them, do portfolios for them, etc. Like seriously, this is what I would do if I were you. Then you get to work in the right environment, with the right type of people, better wardrobes and hopefully, better models.

[ChrisAdval]

Originally Posted by Niresangwa

So, let me get this straight...

you don't want to pay to attend the networking events of others, (that have shoot-outs, established venues etc.) yet you expect others to pay to attend yours (which really only has... you)?

Again, your goals are lofty and admirable, (as always) but perhaps you need to start thinking a little smaller?

Use the virtual network to actually *build* a network of noob MUAs, Designers etc. Make a FB group, something like that and actually pool your resources, rather than trying to stage an event solo, where you have zero experience or local credibility. Identify some likely willing noobs and try and sell them on the idea.

Once you have that, even if it's just a couple of each of you, it will be much easier to actually hold an event.

You're not going to even get this close to getting off the ground, without a whole lot of leg work, and a decent chunk of capitol.

If you don't do it right, you'll damage your reputation. Don't forget that.

Thanks, I agree, but shooting events itself isn't for me or for certain others... I just don't like to shoot around other people but myself and the model unless its event photography.

Originally Posted by graciousness

+1 with what Steve said.

Also, you don't seem to have any clear ideas about this networking event you want to do. Why would people want to go to it and pay money aside from just meeting people? And only 'possibly' other photographers? Why not open to all including photographers? You can't expect to be the only photographer in this kind of event. They don't know who you are and you're not a big time photographer to draw any crowd in an event.

it is, i meant for me personally possibly, not the event itself, I know some photographers who could care less about networking with other photographers but I do see it as a potential revenue once I get more known in the local scene.

Originally Posted by graciousness

I think you really need to concentrate on improving your photography at this time. You really need a strong portfolio and keep working at that if you want to be taken seriously by people in the industry. Your desires are so strong but that's not enough to get you in the door.

I agree, but thats why I want and need to network, but there is no networking events in the area that has no shooting in the local area. I need to network with wardrobe stylists, makeup artists, local retouchers, and hair stylists to help me improve on my photography to work on Trade. I've tried model mayhem the speed of that to get good solid people is far too slow for me. It took me 4-5 months to find a good, somewhat local, makeup artist and 1-2 months to build a strong business relationship with her.

Originally Posted by graciousness

What I would suggest that you do as far as networking is get in touch with fashion colleges and work with fashion designer students. Liaise with them, do portfolios for them, etc. Like seriously, this is what I would do if I were you. Then you get to work in the right environment, with the right type of people, better wardrobes and hopefully, better models.

I'll try, I avoided them just because they're super young, normally too immature, and have lack of passion for me and the seriousness level I expect from all workers who collaborate with me. The only people who takes their job serious in this world are those who only get paid not many people who do trade takes their trades serious. Thanks though I'll work on the local schools.

[Hill Country Hack]

Chris,

I admire your drive to get what you want. I have to agree with Graciousness' points. You may be better served starting at local fashion schools and search for the ones with the drive and desire. Keep in mind that those in the fashion/art industry tend to march to a different drummer. They tend to work from the creative side of the mind and that can drive us analytical/logical thinkers crazy.

My brother in law started as a sketch artist at Macys in the late 1970's. He sat in a room with other artists drawing models for the upcoming catelogs. Eventually he became a well respected Art Director earning large dollars per shoot. As time passed he started getting less and less calls. The industry continued in it's quest for "young, fresh, hip". Plain and simple he aged out.

The point here is building a relationship with a student or freshly graduated fashion artist is you both can grow together. They will need someone who cannot command top dollar for shooting their product and you cannot demand top dollar to established agencies due to lack of expeirence/exposure.

Bottom line, you will have dues to pay. No amount of slick marketing/branding will get around that fact. I wish you the best of luck in your endeavors.

I think you really need to concentrate on improving your photography at this time. You really need a strong portfolio and keep working at that if you want to be taken seriously by people in the industry. Your desires are so strong but that's not enough to get you in the door.

I agree, but thats why I want and need to network,

Networking = better photography.

Maybe that's where I went wrong all these years!

[ChrisAdval]

Originally Posted by maxharvard

Networking = better photography.

Maybe that's where I went wrong all these years!

not sure if you're being sarcastic or not, but without a makeup artist, or/and the others like wardrobe stylists, hair stylists, etc... then I'm very limited in what I can photograph in model photography at least of course. It's the same with inexperienced models, as the more experienced they are the better the less limitations I have when photographing model photography.

[graciousness]

Originally Posted by ChrisAdval

I'll try, I avoided them just because they're super young, normally too immature, and have lack of passion for me and the seriousness level I expect from all workers who collaborate with me. The only people who takes their job serious in this world are those who only get paid not many people who do trade takes their trades serious. Thanks though I'll work on the local schools.

Chris, how could you possibly think that fashion design students are too you and immature for such networking and to work with? For christ's sake, they are paying thousands of dollars for their passion for the industry - you don't think that's serious enough?

It's a little bit arrogant to even consider that they are not serious about what they do and want to do. They're going to school for fashion. If they're only being half-hearted about it, they can just go shopping at the mall.

Remember that these young people are the ones that will possibly be hiring you in the future. Don't diss them.

[ChrisAdval]

Originally Posted by graciousness

Chris, how could you possibly think that fashion design students are too you and immature for such networking and to work with? For christ's sake, they are paying thousands of dollars for their passion for the industry - you don't think that's serious enough?

It's a little bit arrogant to even consider that they are not serious about what they do and want to do. They're going to school for fashion. If they're only being half-hearted about it, they can just go shopping at the mall.

Remember that these young people are the ones that will possibly be hiring you in the future. Don't diss them.

its a bit off topic, but I'm in college as a 26 yr old, and a vast majority from what I see, hear, and observe are very immature people who lack passion. When I say serious I mean willing to do a ton of projects on trade and willing to do them as much as possible, vs. models on model mayhem they're very unwilling to go through the process I ask them go through in order to work with me on trade and only the real serious models tend to work with me which isn't many unfortunately, and the ones that I actually get to work with I get fantastic photos created. I'm not complaining just the likelihood of going to any schools and finding people with passion and willing to work on trade is very rare.

Originally Posted by ChrisAdval

not sure if you're being sarcastic or not, but without a makeup artist, or/and the others like wardrobe stylists, hair stylists, etc... then I'm very limited in what I can photograph in model photography at least of course. It's the same with inexperienced models, as the more experienced they are the better the less limitations I have when photographing model photography.

If this is honestly what you think is holding you back, you're completely out of the loop.

My "models" haven't had one ounce if training and never once used a makeup artist nor a hairstylist, yet somehow my photos keep getting published.... Funny how that works, huh?

If you do portraits or weddings or senior photos, are you going to require them to hire a modeling coach or a hair stylist?


You might get to get your head out of the clouds.

~Eric