Top Tips for Networking at a Conference for Photography Professionals
Published: November 27, 2023
As Imaging USA approaches, you may be looking toward it with anticipation, yet also wondering how to take full advantage of the opportunity. A huge conference like this one brings unparalleled chances to network with colleagues, but that doesn’t come naturally to everyone.
What’s the purpose of networking at a conference?
- Marketing your professional brand. With every interaction, you’ll introduce new people to what makes you special.
- Building relationships with colleagues. At ImagingUSA, you’ll convene with 10,000 photographers from around the globe. Continue learning and growing together through mutually supportive relationships.
- Connecting with vendors. Meet vendors who can help grow your business and build exposure for your work. You’ll see inspiring photography products and have the opportunity to talk with vendors about potential partnerships.
Read on for our top tips for networking at a photography conference. They’ll help you network with confidence and make mutually beneficial connections with other professionals.
Do Your Homework
Consider who you’d like to meet. Which presenters, vendors, and other participants have interests aligned with your own? Read up on their work in advance. Look at trade show highlights as well as speakers. Reach out prior to the event to express interest in attending their session or meeting them at the conference.
Plan which panels and sessions to attend. Set learning and interpersonal goals for yourself before you browse through the list to keep yourself focused. Aim to make sure each session you attend offers both professional development and networking opportunities.
Practice a concise and engaging introduction to your work and interests, speaking to what makes you special. You don’t have to use exactly the same words every time, of course. But preparing this intro will help you highlight the most important points. Feel free to add a quirky or surprising detail to help you stand out!
Use Your Time Strategically
Get to know a range of people, but don’t spread yourself too thin—otherwise, conversations won’t feel meaningful or memorable. Set a goal for how many people to meet. For example, you might want to make 10 new connections. (If you’re an introvert, a reasonable goal will help you avoid overwhelm.) You can even think of it as a game, where you get five points for each new introduction!
- Spend some time with people you already know, but who you may not see often. You might be able to introduce each other to new contacts, expanding your circle. Consider setting up a coffee date where you each bring a new acquaintance.
- Think about setting up a small-group dinner with a handful of new people you want to meet, as Rebecca Knight suggests in Harvard Business Review (HBR).
- Take notes during panel sessions. They won’t just benefit your professional development—they’ll also be great conversation starters, helping you remember key points.
- Listen more than you speak, as Kedma Ough advises in Entrepreneur. As the other person talks, take note of complementary areas and then speak to your areas of overlap.
- Find yourself getting exhausted from small talk? Vary your conversation starters. Questions like “What are you interested in learning about?” or “What’s the most interesting thing you’ve read lately?” will typically spark a meaningful discussion, as Amantha Imber notes in HBR.
By following these tips, you’ll form genuine connections with interesting people while building awareness of your professional brand. Spontaneous ideas for collaboration can arise from these conversations!
Follow Up
After the conference, reach out to your new contacts to say how much you enjoyed talking with them. Connect with them on LinkedIn within 24 hours, Forbes advises, so they’ll remember you. Remind them of ideas you discussed, following up on ideas for collaborations or partnerships.
With these tips in hand, you’ll gain exposure and open new doors for your career at your next photography conference. By talking with other professionals in your field, you can identify exciting new ways to grow your business and your photography offerings.
Sources
Columbia University Center for Career Education, “3 Tips for Attending Networking Events with Confidence”
Entrepreneur, “5 Tips to Networking in Conferences as an Introvert”
Forbes, “17 Ways to Network Like a Pro at Conferences”