In Oregon, I was part of an amazing group called Click Chicks. We met once a month for meetings. Each month a different member would host the meeting, and be in charge of presenting a topic. The topics ranged from how to dress for a wedding to more technical aspects of running a photography business, such as post-processing images in Lightroom. We also had yearly retreats, and a Facebook group for daily interactions. Being a part of this group helped me development a strong network of photographers within the community. Besides making great friends, I gained knowledge, referrals, and a great resource for finding second shooters for weddings.
Being new to Northern Virginia, I am looking to form a group of photographers
similar to this. I’m blogging about this and hoping other photographers who read it will pass on the word to their photographer friends. If you are thinking you can benefit from such a group, send me an email. Once I have a few people, I’ll setup a facebook group and we’ll schedule our first get together.
Thinking you’d like to join? Here are some of what I am hoping to find.
Photographers who:
- Want to make a commitment to being part of a tight-knit community
- Are willing to work together, share their knowledge and/ or learn
- Specialize in portraits and/ or weddings
- Are to meet once per month for a few hours
- Want to participate actively online in sharing ideas and supporting each other
- Are at any stage in their photography career
- Are in the Northern Virginia / Maryland / Washington DC area
- Maybe an interest in setting up a group blog (great for SEO!)
I am thinking we can rotate locations within the DC, Virginia, and Maryland area, so that meetings are convenient for everyone. Most likely late evening during the week would be the ideal time, but depending on everyone’s schedules we can figure that out together. Ideally the group will be about 15-20 members. Comment, email, connect on Facebook… just let me know if you are interested and please share this with all your photographer friends as well!
I’m not moving to Frederick, MD until 2012, but in Austin our photography networking is so tight. We meet monthly, then in smaller groups we meet up sporadically for lunch all month long. We have a Google calendar where everyone updates their dates so we can send referrals to other available photographers if we’re booked… it’s just awesome.
If you need any help with the organizing, definitely let me know. I was going to get something like this started but I wasn’t sure how to go about it since it’s almost a year until I move! =)
We miss you in Oregon, Jessica! We hope your new home is treating you well. Also, I’m so glad that you’re reaching out to your community as I’m sure there are many professionals that have been waiting for something like this and I’m sure your new group will be awesome. Hugs & Best Wishes!
This is perfect timing! After our last meet up I’ve been wanting to send a message to a bunch of us local photographers, but every time I sat down to write it I wasn’t sure how to word it:). I would love to be invovled!
I am really excited by the response I have gotten to this! We’ve started a Facebook group and have about 15 members already. Keep letting me know if you are interested. We’re in the process of planning our first meeting.
Hi Jessie, I have been wanting to start a group like this and since you have already started one, I would like to join. I’m so new to photography that I love to shoot everything from landscapes, portraits, and weddings. I also post a lot of pictures on flickr too. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Oregon is so beautiful, how could you leave such a place? I envy people who live there, they are really blessed with great scenery everywhere.
Oregon is beautiful, especially the coast. We will definitely miss the outdoors but we’re looking forward to new adventures here in the DC area. Lots of history and culture!
You can count me in.
I would be interested.
I would definitely be interested in being a part of this group. I hope it’s not too late to join.
Great idea. I’d love to participate. Let me know how I can help get this going.
I am a natural light maternity, newborn, child and family photographer located in the DC area and am definitely interested!
I would love to help out and be a part of this!! Please let me know what I could do to help out!
Hi Jessica!
I just came across this and would also be very interested!
I would love the opportunity to network. I am interested in gaining experience as a wedding photographer as a second shooter.
I just wanted to thank everyone for such a great turnout in interest of this group! We had our first meeting and will continue to do so each month. New members are still welcome. Just email me and I’ll send you instructions on how to join.
I am a photographer residing in D.C proper, who is interested in being a part of some kind of group/ collective. I am new to the area as well and I would really love to be involved with something that allows me to meet other photographers and network.
Hi, I’m intersted in joining a group doing photography and weddings and I found your post. I hope it’s not too late, can I still join? I’m in woodbridge. Hope to hear from you soon.
Martin