The first time I ever went to a photographer meet up I was absolutely terrified. It was the summer of 2009, after BC and my internship with Jamie Delaine, I was determined to build relationships with photographers in my area but I was terrified. It was the OC Smug Mug meet up. I forced Alexis to go with me so I wouldn’t be alone and when I walked into the room I was mortified. I couldn’t bring myself to talk to *anyone*, my face turned bright red [not a great combination considering my hair], and I was absolutely star struck as photographers like Jasmine Star, Jessica Claire, Becker, Gabriel and Carlie all walked around and mingled with people like it was nothing. What? Don’t they know who they are?? They aren’t just supposed to be in the same room as me!

After that socially horrifying night, I still made an attempt to draaaag myself out of my comfort zone and make photographer friends. I got involved in SoCal Photog Shootouts [you can see some images here, here, and here] and I tried to go to SMUG meetings as much as I could with my work schedule, but after awhile the drive got too long and the gas got too expensive so I stopped going.

A few months ago I was searching for something, anything, photographer related in my area and came across the South Bay PUG facebook page. I was absolutely floored because their first meeting was in a few weeks AND I could literally walk to the meeting location it was so close to home. Casey & Andrea have been amazing enough to open up their home once a month to host and lead the South Bay PUG, and if I’m being real with you, I still get nervous every time I go. But sitting in their back yard last night at our Summer BBQ chatting with other photographers about business, shooting locations, mistakes we’ve made, and life I was so thankful to have the opportunity to be there.

Andrea has mad skills and decorated their back yard beautifully so we could take some detail shots. So fun. If you’re looking for a local photographer meet up, this is the place to be. ;]