Photography Conventions - Last Minute Check-off List

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Missed any past Fast Food Friday posts? They're all just a click away.

​by Skip Cohen

​I started this series to remind you about things you need to do to build a stronger business. Today, I want to use the SCU Diner for a Fast Food Friday post that's directly related to the investment many of you are making in ClickCon, which kicks off on Monday morning.

But here's the fun of a "blue-plate" special like this - just about everything applies to any conference or workshop you attend. Time is your most valuable commodity, and you'll never have enough of it! Don't waste it by flying by the seat of your pants without a game plan.

In scuba, there's a great expression - "Plan your dive. Dive your plan." While things on any schedule can change, the more prepared you are for each convention/workshop you attend, the more you're going to get out of it!

Most important of all, conventions and workshops fall under the description of work hard - play hard! If you're not having fun with your education, networking, and growing as an artist, then you're doing something wrong. 

So, for those of you joining some of the best manufacturers and vendors in imaging, the ClickCon team, the sixty-three additional instructors and me next week - safe travels and see you in Chicago. Have fun - What a kick this is going to be!

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Twelve More Tips to Get the Most Out of a Conference

​Two weeks ago, I shared tips about ClickCon and getting ready for a conference. Many of you will be heading to Chicago on Sunday. So, it seems to make sense to hit the list again, but I've added twelve more suggestions to get the most out of each class and workshop. And while ClickCon is the focus, almost everything on the list applies to any conference or workshop you attend.

• Think through the main gear you want to bring. While packing everything you own means security, it also means an aching back at the end of each day. I know it's hard but stay within the reality of what you feel you'll mostly be shooting. That typically means three lenses, a camera body, backup body and an OCF light source. 
• If you're driving to the conference, remember NEVER to leave gear in your car!
• However, you're getting there, check to make sure your gear is insured. Many of you think it's covered under your home policy and typically it's NOT!
• Forget fashion, wear comfortable shoes.
• Go back and review every email you've gotten from the ClickCon team, so you know where you're going. 
• "Out of Office" reply - if you use one, set it up. I like to set it up letting people know I'm gone, but I check email several times a day regardless. However, if somebody is used to a quick response, my out of office message at least explains why there might be a short delay.​
• You can't always trust the weather report, but pay attention and dress accordingly. You should do this whenever you go to any conference. Here's the report for Chicago as of this morning.

• ​Don't forget your business cards or whatever you're using for a "leave behind" piece with people you meet.
• When walking the trade show make it a point to visit EVERY exhibitor. There are two pressing issues in play here - first, building your network. Second, you never know what products or services you might need in the future. So, even if you don't have a need now, check each company out anyway.
• Dinner plans? If there are some specific friends you want to catch up to at the show, take the time BEFORE you get there to make a plans. Even if you make a reservation or two now and things change, you'll at least have something in place. It's part of the care and feeding of your network!
• Additional time with instructors? At some point in the conference, based on responses to an attendee survey, many of the speakers will be available in booth 120 on the trade show floor. It's a short window, and don't panic if the schedule changes. However, if there's a speaker you'd like to meet, we'll be doing Q&A sessions in the booth.  

PRO TALK BOOTH SCHEDULE

• If you're headed to this new conference, but know somebody still on the fence about attending, take the time to talk them into it. Being part of any new convention, especially when it's loaded with great education, networking opportunities and good vendors/manufacturers is always a benefit to any artist's career growth, and a memory-maker. Use "ccskip" to save $50. Register through my portal below and my 10% speaker commission goes 1/2 to the attendee and the other half to Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep.

Click for more info

SCU Flashback: Reprinted from the July 19 post:

• 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.