SPE HOW TO

Everything You Need to Know About Attending the Conference But Were Afraid to Ask

SPE Conferences are a great way to make connections, get feedback, exchange ideas, see other people's work, attend the vendors' fair (see and discuss the latest equipment, books, and papers), network, and make friends! It's a safe, casual environment where you can geek out about photography and have fun!

Before the conference:

• Register early to take advantage of the best rates (and in some cases, limited enrollment). When you registerfor the conference, you can also sign up for free portfolio reviews, field trips, and workshops – all with limitedenrollment on a first come basis.
  • Tip: Research the portfolio reviewers to see who will be the best fit for you and your goals (perhapsyou just want feedback on your work, or maybe you seek publication/ exhibition opportunities).
  • Book your hotel early. Take advantage of special conference rates (limited number of rooms available at thatrate) and enjoy the convenience of staying on site during the conference (run up to your room to grab orditch your portfolio, change clothes, rest, do yoga, whatever!).
    • Tip: share a room to save money.
    • Create/ update a free profile and portfolio on the SPE website.
    • Review the conference schedule ahead of time and read the session descriptions, speakers' bios, etc. Choose the sessions you're interested in. This is important; there's little to no time between sessionsand there are multiple talks going on at any given time.
    • Sometimes there will be a conference program you can download to use during the conference with tons of great information beyond what's on the website. This is nice to have on your phone during the conference.
    • Get a good night's sleep before the conference (you'll probably be up late every night).

What to bring:

• Appropriate clothes (casual/ business casual with layers – sometimes the conference rooms are highly airconditioned). Lightweight clothes for the dance party (yes, there's a dance party at the end of theconference!)
• Print portfolio, digital portfolio, business cards (and optional printed postcards/ give aways to promoteyour work)
• Laptop, tablet, etc. with your digital portfolio and website ready to view.
  • Tip: hide the mess that's on your desktop by dragging it all into a folder temporarily
  • Chargers and cords for all your devices
  • Notebook & pens, or tablet to take notes
  • Snacks, water

At the conference:

• Wear your conference badge all the time! This gets you into all the sessions, vendors' fair, portfolio reviews, receptions, etc. It also makes networking easier as people can see your name and your school orinstitution.
  • Tip: put your room key and some business cards in the back of the pouch so they're alwaysconvenient.
  • Have a print portfolio with you whenever possible and a digital portfolio with you all the time (this can be onyour phone, tablet, laptop, etc) and have it ready to view.
  • Have your elevator pitch ready to go (be prepared to introduce yourself and talk about your work)
  • Don't be afraid to talk to people! Everyone at the conference is there because they love photographyand want to connect. Look at people's name tags and strike up conversations (there will be manyopportunities for this: right before or after a talk, when you or others have a portfolio out for the manyinformal portfolio sharing opportunities, in the elevator, at the vendors' fair, at formal portfolio reviews,etc.)
  • Exchange cards/ contact info with people you'd like to stay in touch with and be sure to follow up with themafter the conference.
  • Join a caucus (women's, LGBTQI, multicultural) and connect with people at their meetings andsocial events
  • Attend your SPE Chapter meeting and connect with people from your region while learning aboutchapter meetings (in the Fall) and meet your representatives.
  • Attend the members meeting and connect with people while learning about future events and meet yourrepresentatives.

Portfolio Reviews:

• Research your reviewers ahead of time
• Have a goal for the review (feedback, exhibition, publication, etc)
• Have your portfolio ready to go; the reviews go very quickly
• Respect the time; reviews are usually 15-20 minutes and if you don't vacate your spot on time, youare cutting into someone else's review.
• Introduce yourself with a firm handshake.
• Be mentally prepared for constructive criticism.
• Be attentive and listen carefully.
• Be sensitive and open to their review style (silence is OK but usually they will ask you to introduceyourself and the work)
• Be positive and respectful (even if you totally disagree with their comments).
• Be prepared to answer questions and have some of your own
• Take notes during/ right after the review (multiple reviews will quickly blur together)
• At the end of the review thank them with a firm handshake
• After the review/ conference follow up with a thank you note or email (even if you though it was aterrible review)