Well myself and another photographer (William Crow MM#1282) are organizing a meet and greet for Sunday July 12 at 2pm. We have 3 possible locations (all we could use) and should be finalizing shortly (a day or two). I know I have mentioned this to many people I have worked with and they all seem interested. Just wanted to let you know and introduce myself. With over 1300 MM members registered in a 100 mile radius of myself I am sure we can get a great turnout to this event pretty easily. If you have any suggestions please let me know. This event will be free except for what you want to eat / drink (since some of the locations are restaurants) but that is up to you and is not required. Depending on the response we may move the venue to a larger reserved room at a local University.

Scott McLeod

So far we have about 25 people (within 24 hours of announced) who have said they are interested or will be attending. Besides some networking, casting discussions, socializing, we may discuss some future group photoshoot events, etc. Any ideas that you would like to see incorporated, could be helpful, etc. Please message me or post here. I will regularly check this thread.

This sounds good. Consider me a strong maybe at this point.

We are at about 35 now that are either definitely in (29) or interested (6) besides the organizers and I have about 10 other likelys.

Here is a general format I think we are going to do. Please make suggestions in this thread.

1:45-2:30 arrival and socializing

2:30 - 2:45 or 3:00 introductions by all attendees. Limit it to 2 minutes max per person. Intros should give more than just name and location. I am thinking that plus experience, areas you mainly work in, etc. A concise 1 minute bio would be good.

3:00-4:00 casting announcements (if not casting but only looking for work [please realize most/all are looking for paid work but utilize this for both oppurtunities] a quick blurb about that). Go around the room again and each person has opportunity to announce castings. Others take notes and then after all announcements time to talk with those you want to work with to fulfil casting.

about 4:00 tips, hints, etc about using MM and maximizing this communication tool. then discussion/suggestions for future meets, organized group shoots, etc, is there interest in each, etc. I will also have a feedback sheet for ideas, suggestions, improve next one, future locations, etc.

Finish about 4:30 (if approx time schedule works out), people could have some post networking shoots lined up.

I would like to be included in this event.  Thank you for organizing it.  I appreciate all the time and energy you are putting in.

Joe De Sciose
205-266-7232

Joe you are more than welcome to attend, and feel free to spread the word and invite others (photogs, MUA's, models, etc). If you would tag my profile that you will attend. I am trying to have one spot where I can count who is attending. But it also lets all those attending take time and see others portfolios, etc of who will be in attendance so they can be a little familiar and prepared to talk to others and make the best use of their time.

Thanks for the Updates! Yes I still would love to attend! Keep me posted!

Can you post a list of people committed to attending?

At this point its easier just to look at all my tags. I have told everyone to tag me, so I basically can review that. Sorry right now I am being lazy. Eventually I will retype the list in this thread. Besides models and photogs we have a wardrobe stylist, hair stylist, and 2 MUA's. So sounds like it will be a well rounded group.

Also some have asked about what to bring. At this point business cards or contact info cards I am thinking is about all one would need to bring. We all have portfolios and many have websites, so I don't think bringing a physical copy is necessary. Plus if people are looking at ports they are not networking or meeting others, which should be the focal point, IMO (in my opinion).

I'm so exitced! I will definitely be there.

This idea might be of interest to you. Last year I was in San Diego for work and I found out there was a monthly meetup for photographers and models at a local park/marina. This was a nice location and opportunity for the models and photogs to shoot portfolio images. Models didn't pay anything for it, but photogs paid about $10 which helped pay for renting the location for one Saturday afternoon each month. Ten bucks is very inexpensive to get some new portfolio images and make some new contacts. Pretty informal and people just showed up (no prior signup involved), models would bring 2-3 outfits and sometimes a MUA, photogs came with regular on-location gear, one room was setup for studio lighting for those who wanted to use that. It seemed to work pretty well...a photographer and model would pair up for brief shoots on the property, sometimes a couple of photographers would shoot one model at the same time. Personally, I found it way too distracting for me and the model when other photographers would 'horn in' on the shoot I was doing. But, that's just me. Some courtesy is necessary, like keeping your session brief so others can shoot with the same model, or share. And the model may want to shoot with another photographer, as well. I've thought about trying to start something like that here, but time and finding the right location for a regular event is hard to come by.

That is a good idea for a organized shoot. I planned a time to discuss future meets and events and that is something to talk about. I would be interested.

Is there a short list of possible venues? If you have a facebook account, you can set up an event invitation there that would display your attending, maybe's & not attending invitees. I'm there as Yze Guy, just in case you choose to do that. I've also been spreading the word somewhat around here & there are a few models that are interested in attending.

Hey,
Keep me informed , I'd like to attend.
Steve

Ok so here are the venue options. A couple were peoples suggestions. I have done what needs to reserve them all, so basically I will cancel the others once we decide.

4 options, listed in no particular order:

1. Jim N Nicks BBQ  220 Oxmoor Rd Homewood, AL (just off I-65 in Homewood)  www.jimnnicks.com   Menu available online.
I have reserved the sunroom in the back. Large room that seats about 55. Can order off the menu, 18% gratuity added to tickets for the large group.

Plus - own private room, Negative - expectation from restaurant for people to eat.

2. Dreamland BBQ  1427 14th Ave South Birmingham, AL  (in southside area near UAB)  www.dreamlandbbq.com  Menu available online.
I have reserved the backroom. It will seat probably about 60 or so. Can order off the menu, not sure if the group % on gratuity is added but I imagine it would be. It is usually slow at this time on sunday but if its busy and they need to put people at tables in the backroom they reserve the right to do that. I will scout this sunday to see if they truely are slow at that time of day, to get a feel for what next sunday will be like.

Negative - chance we have to share backroom, but I would say small chance.

3. Blackwell's Pub  3151 Green Valley Road Cahaba Heigts, AL (near the Summit shopping center at I-459 & 280) www.blackwellspub.com  Menu available online
Not a separate room to reserve. That time of the day they claim to be slow, so we could basically have the whole

4. UAB Hill University Center   1400 University Blvd Birmingham, AL
Meeting room in the Great Hall. Can easily hold 80 in a single room, if we need can open wall to another room to accomidate more people.  Even if we decide on another location, I will probably keep this reserved as a backup just in case our attendance numbers spike at the last minute. No cost (I am an student group advisor). Vending machine on site.


Was suggested but ruled out because they are so busy at that time they don't allow their backroom to be reserved.
5. Golden Coral Lorna Rd in Hoover.


We need to decide by this Monday July 6th at 10pm so that we can make final arrangements and cancel the others well in advance. Please give me your feedback, ideas, etc.

Golden Corral? Are you serious? I'm sorry, I admit I've eaten there before, but I can't picture having any meeting like this there. LOL

I think the UAB idea is fine.

***** Note for all attendees *****

To be best prepared for the event do a couple of things before you come.

A. Prepare a short bio about yourself. We will be doing introductions one by one. Please no longer than 2 minutes but do more than you name and location. You could mention your experience, what you like to shoot i.e. glamour, fashion, et   (for photogs), what style you want to shoot i.e. everything but implied, nude (model), do you shoot indoor studio or only natural light (photogs) how extensive your wardrobe is (models).  Basically look at your own profile page and others for ideas.

B. Plan to talk about casting you are working on. Are you looking for a model for paid work? Are you looking for a photographer to help with a specific look? Are you only accepting paid work? Are you will to shoot a TF if the model can supply an amazing idea that really gets your creative juices flowing.

C. Look at the profiles of the other attendees. Look specifically for those other attendees at the event that you would want to work with, talk with, etc. This is an important reason to make sure and tag my profile so people can see who will be in attendance beforehand. My tags now are longer than one page so don't be lazy and check all the tags.

D. Bring business cards or other things for contact info. Sometimes MM is the best for some people sometimes its not. If you don't have business cards, don't feel you have to get some made, bring a notepad or something to write with. This will also be useful to take notes when we do the casting talk, so you can make notes of people to talk with, or about the castings, etc.

E. Spread the word about the event to others in your area or you have worked with. You can post the general info on your profile with links to the thread, etc.

F. Bring a smile and be willing to shake some hands. Bring some money for drinks, food, etc. Bring ideas for future events, etc. Have fun.

Okay that sound Great!!!!!!!!

This is going to be great!  I'm really excited about going!  Hope to see all of you there!

I'm interested in participating. Would be great to network and possibly shoot some new faces.

Drat, I'll be coming through Birmingham later that week!

Either one is fine with me! UAB might be the best though.....

It's looking like to me that UAB would be our best bet. Food is nice and all but the last thing you want to do is meet a possible coworker with parsley in your teeth!

I would love to come, however I will be Lenox, MA until August 8th. If you are planning another event, please let me know, I am very interested in meeting new people and getting myself out there too.

One thing I added to the agenda near the end was tips and tricks for MM. This will be handy info that you may or may not know about MM, especially for those of us with a free membership how to best make use of the communication tools.

I may be able to attend. I hope that everyone does come out.

Well 30 models said they will. And we have had about 10 others says it was a maybe.

I am still coming I may be bringing a friend so 1+.  Has the location been setup yet?

I am interested.  I'll check my e-mail.  Thank you. [email protected]

I plan to attend along with another model, if all works out well with travel plans. Have you finalized a venue?

I do plan on attending as well. Thanks for setting this up. But what is the location selection? I'll be on my harley which makes a nice photo prop.

Mike

Because of the great response and the only feedback seemed to be in favor of the UAB meeting room, we will be meeting there.

UAB Great Hall room A. You can bring snack, drinks, etc if you have any, want any etc.

Maps:
mapquest
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Birmi … code=35233

campus map
http://www.uab.edu/images/web/UAB_Campus_Map.pdf

Please note that you can park in lots just off of 14th or 15th Street adjacent to the University Center. The parking is metered but you they don't ticket on the weekend so don't waste your money. I will have my cell phone on me so if you get turned around, etc you can call. 205-283-2167.

Complete announcement. To spread help spread the word feel free to copy and past this to your profile, tags others, etc.

****Scott McLeod (MM#85436) and another photographer William Crow (MM#1282) are organizing a Birmingham, AL meet and greet for photographers, models, MUA's, etc, etc to give people an opportunity to network and find opportunities to collaborate for projects, find out who maybe casting for what, etc. The event will take place on ****Sunday JULY 12th at 2pm at the UAB Hill University Center 1400 University Blvd Birmingham, AL 35233, Great Hall Meeting room A ****. This event will be FREE.

Please TAG me if you plan on attending.

***** Note for all attendees *****

To be best prepared for the event do a couple of things before you come.

A. Prepare a short bio about yourself. We will be doing introductions one by one. Please no longer than 2 minutes but do more than you name and location. You could mention your experience, what you like to shoot i.e. glamour, fashion, etc (for photogs), what style you want to shoot i.e. everything but implied, nude (model), do you shoot indoor studio or only natural light (photogs) how extensive your wardrobe is (models).  Basically look at your own profile page and others for ideas.

B. Plan to talk about casting you are working on. Are you looking for a model for paid work? Are you looking for a photographer to help with a specific look? Are you only accepting paid work? Are you will to shoot a TF if the model can supply an amazing idea that really gets your creative juices flowing.

C. Look at the profiles of the other attendees. Look specifically for those other attendees at the event that you would want to work with, talk with, etc. This is an important reason to make sure and tag my profile so people can see who will be in attendance beforehand. My tags now are longer than one page so don't be lazy and check all the tags.

D. Bring business cards or other things for contact info. Sometimes MM is the best way for some people to communicate, sometimes its not. If you don't have business cards, don't feel you have to get some made, bring a notepad or something to write with. This will also be useful to take notes when we do the casting talk, so you can make notes of people to talk with, or about the castings, etc.

E. Spread the word about the event to others in your area or you have worked with. PLEASE post the info on your profile with links to the thread, etc.

F. Bring a smile and be willing to shake some hands. Bring ideas for future events, etc. Have fun.

****Tentative agenda/format****

1:45-2:30 arrival and socializing

2:30-2:45 or 3:00 introductions by all attendees. Limit it to 2 minutes max per person. Intros should give more than just name and location. I am thinking that plus experience, areas you mainly work in, etc. A concise 1-minute bio would be good.

3:00-4:00 casting announcements (if not casting but only looking for work [please realize most/all are looking for paid work but utilize this for both opportunities] a quick blurb about that). Go around the room again and each person has opportunity to announce castings. Others take notes and then after all announcements time to talk with those you want to work with to fulfill casting.

about 4:00 tips, hints, etc about using MM and maximizing this communication tool. Then discussion / suggestions for future meets, organized group shoots, etc, is there interest in each, etc. I will also have a feedback sheet for ideas, suggestions, improve next one, future locations, etc.

Finish about 4:30 (if approx time schedule works out) With our anticipated attendance I think this will be closer to 5:00pm.

just tagged everyone on my friends list and then some with the info. thanks again for putting together such a great opportunity!

Thanks so much for including me in the invitation .. unfortunately I am on travel headed to the Outer Banks in NC for a two week shoot.
Please do include me in future events
~ dK ~