Fast Food Friday - For Professional Photographers

© Teodor Lazarev

by Skip Cohen​

​It's Friday, and that means a new "blue-plate special" from the SCU Diner. Today's lunch special has a little different purpose than many of the past. While it's a tried and true recipe from a couple of past Fast Food Fridays, I've added a few new "sides" to choose from.

Remember why I started this series - to give you more ideas to build a stronger business. As right-brain creative types, you'd much rather be clicking the shutter than checking your earnings. You'd rather be working in post-production on yesterday's shoot than working on your marketing plan for the rest of the year, and forget about thinking about what you want to be doing in 2020! LOL

So, here's what's being served today - with ClickCon coming up in Chicago, August 5-7, I want to give you some new ideas on getting the most out of the conference, and at the same time give you a few repeats from past posts.

The picture I kicked off today's post kind of says it all. So many of you let stress get the best of you before heading off to a conference. 

The idea started after two phone conversations and a barrage of emails and Facebook comments from attendees who were close to hitting the anxiety button because this is their first conference. They're worried about missing something; not getting into a class because it's already full; picking the right instructors, etc. 

Well, what better place than the SCU Diner to serve up the recipe for success at ANY conference you attend?

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A Little Planning and You Can Stop Worrying!

• Selecting your classes: Feed the needs of your skillset first. Where do you need the most help in capturing great images? 
• Get to know the instructors before you get to Chicago. Check out their websites, YouTube for their videos and links like the one I shared earlier in the week with episodes of "Why?" with thirteen of Clickcon's instructors.
• Growth occurs most, outside your comfort zone! Pick at least one class that's entirely outside what you usually photograph. For example, I've heard young photographers over the years talk about their "photo-journalistic" style when shooting a wedding. Sadly they're entirely unprepared when it comes to shooting a stunning portrait of the bride and groom! They need classes on posing and lighting!
• Stop apologizing for being a newbie! Years ago we did a program called "GoingPro Bootcamp," and Michele Celentano, one of the finest family portrait artists in the country, was the first speaker. Her opening line was, "Twenty years ago I was right where all of you are now - wondering how long it would be before my work didn't suck!" As people laughed, you could feel the release of tension, and even see people's shoulders relax. We all started somewhere, and the instructors for ClickCon are a fantastic group of seasoned veterans who haven't forgotten their roots.
• Don't overfill your plate! It's the perfect suggestion for my SCU diner analogy, but here's the point. I know it's the first conference for many of you, but there will be more, and you can only absorb so much information. Don't take on too much. Leave time in your schedule review, relax and network, one of the most important reasons to attend ANY conference.
• Talk to EVERYBODY! Whether you're new to the profession or a seasoned veteran, take the time to meet every attendee you can. That means sitting down in a class and introducing yourself to the people on either side of you, and here's why - all of you have the same goal - to become better artists and business owners. You all have the same challenges and will experience many of the same frustrations in the years ahead. You're building a network in the same way an NFL scout is trying to build a great team with diverse skils. All of you have something you're good at, and the ability to help another photographer whose strong suit is something you might be weak in. Work to build your team.
• NEVER EAT ALONE - Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are perfect for meeting and talking with other photographers. 
• Don't miss the bell! It's great to party, and I remember my days of being young and stupid...and hungover. There's nothing wrong with celebrating the profession with new and old friends in the bar at the end of the day - but don't do it in excess if it means you're not running on all eight cylinders the next morning. You've got too much to lose if you don't get the most out of the conference.
• Missed getting into a class you wanted? So what. Pick another - there's plenty to choose from.
• Don't make ClickCon the ONLY conference you attend. Do your best to attend at least two conferences each year - it's how you expand your skills, build your network, and grow.
• KNOW YOUR GEAR - a lot of you are relatively new to the profession. Don't waste time at the conference reading the instruction manual for your gear. Take time NOW - practice, practice, practice. If you're coming to ClickCon with a camera you barely understand because you only shoot in "P" mode, you'll miss some of the best education in imaging! Understand every button and feature of your camera.
• Talk to the instructors! I hate seeing newbies intimidated by artists who they feel are too successful. Years ago somebody said to me, "You don't know me because I'm just a little guy..." Look, if it weren't for all you little guys out there, we'd have no industry. And guess what, everybody was a little guy once and this year's instructors are especially invested in education - that's why they're in Chicago. Nobody is on the educational circuit to make their fortune - they're teaching because they love it and that means they're interested in meeting you, talking with you and understanding where you need the most help.
• Don't be a storm-trooper! When you see an educator you want to meet, if they're already having a conversation with somebody, wait your turn. Be polite and don't interrupt. Or as my friend Levi Sim says, "Act as if your grandmother is watching you."
• Meet the vendors! ProCam, together with Sherry Hagerman, have done an incredible job pulling this show together, but it doesn't happen without a lot of support from the community. Take the time to meet somebody at every booth. Vendors need to be in your network, and nothing beats a small boutique conference like this for building relationships.

A while back, I wrote about getting the most out of a convention, in fact there are at least three posts over the last few years, but today's is tied more directly to the technique of maximizing your time during a conference. 

Here's the bottom line - have fun! That means work hard and play hard, and while, for some of you, it might be your first conference, it's the start of an incredible series of experiences. ​

​What a kick!

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