Making the Most of Click Away Conference
Last month (what feels like a year ago in the age of COVID-19), I got to attend Click Away Conference 2020 in Atlanta. It was my second time attending this conference and this time had the pleasure of also being an instructor! It was such a blast, and even better than my first time. Highlights included Ami Vitale’s incredible, inspiring keynote speech, taking a class with Yan Palmer, connecting with so many friends from the Clickin Moms community, seeing my first image as part of the Voice Collection, Sarah Kreig’s comedy genius during the closing panel, and the many parties and social opportunities throughout the weekend. And I can’t leave out teaching - it was the ultimate highlight - such a thrill to share my heart and knowledge and connect with so many amazing photographers!
When I compare this one to my first experience at Click Away, and I remember that it felt a lot different though - as an introvert, it was hard going to such a large conference (around 1,000 women) for the first time. I knew very few people, and I felt intimidated by all of the talent. I’ve thought a lot about what was different and what could have made my first experience better and I came up with some tips for making the most of your first Click Away. Hope it helps, and I look forward to seeing you there next year!
Getting Involved before the conference - Clickin’ Moms is such an awesome community, and if you put some time into making connections, you’ll quickly make other photography-obsessed friends. Taking a class as an active student is the best way to make connections, but just being on the forums and connecting through the hashtag on Instagram are also great ways to meet people. Start asking who is going to Click Away well before the event, and get to know each other before you meet in person.
Plan Meet Ups - go ahead and plan a few meet ups with your Clickin Moms crew before the big event. Lunch or cocktails, or time to go out and take each other’s headshots!
Find a roommate - As a mom, it can be really nice to have your own space when you have the chance to travel, but I promise you you’ll be so happy to have a roommate. It’s so nice to have someone to connect with more deeply throughout the weekend, and you can introduce each other to the people you know. You’ll have someone to go to breakfast with, and someone to get ready for the big party with.
Step in to your best self - this time around, I gave myself a big pep talk before the conference. No matter how shy or intimidated I was feeling in the moment, I promised myself I would not play it small, I would not shrink. I would step into my most confident, most outgoing self through out the weekend. I did and it felt amazing - to own my “enoughness” and connect with so many more people by not letting shyness get in my way.
Go for more classes - it so great that they offer different levels of tickets, and I say go for the middle or highest tier! If you invest more, you’ll get more out of it for sure.
Don’t compare yourself to others - know that we’re all on a journey! It can be easy to feel not enough in this industry; we are constantly surrounded by each others amazing images and we only see people’s successes. But remember, we are all doing this for the love of it because it fulfills us and gives us purpose. It’s not a competition because there is no finish line. Focus on learning, growing, and connecting and you’ll get so much out of it.
These are my images (combination of digital and film) from my “Naturally Unfolding Moments” classes. How amazing were my model families? Let me know if you’re planning on going to Chicago 2021, hope to see you there!
