Paulo Jordao - BLOG

19 August 2008

Photowalk - Few Tips for City Leaders and Photographers

Posted by pauljordan222 under: Photography; Photowalk .

First of all, I want to apologize to people that like to read short blogs. I am writing this post to help people that like Photowalk, and unfortunately I couldn’t make this post too short.

As you might know, this weekend (Saturday - August 23) is our Scott Kelby’s Worldwide Photowalk. More than 6,500 Photographers from approximately 240 countries around the world will be walking and taking pictures of the most beautiful and interesting streets and their surroundings.

Few weeks ago, I was invited to be the leader of not just one city, but of the whole South Florida Photowalk. At that time, Scott was still putting the last details together having in mind to sign in only 100 cities for this Worldwide Photowalk.

I had the choice to choose what city here in South Florida I would select to have our Photowalk. Scott even asked me about the amazing city of South Beach.

I loved his suggestion, and I started thinking about what I would need to do to make the South Florida Photowalk happen in South Beach. I thought about the route, parking lots and restaurants to have the photographers together after the event and etc.

For who doesn’t know South Florida, we have three major cities (Miami, Ft Lauderdale and Palm Beaches) connecting dozen of other small cities together. You can say that Fort Lauderdale is half way between Miami and Palm Beaches, so I was getting concerned about people from Palm Beaches or even Fort Lauderdale wouldn’t like to drive to South Beach for this event.

After much thinking and driving (checking few different locations), I finally chose the actual location for our Photowalk (Click here).

Now, I would like to share with you few tips on how to help your group to enjoy the most of their Photowalk (not just this one, but future photowalks that you might organize):

Choosing a Good Date and Time:

On this case our Photowalk is Saturday - August 23 (It is a good idea have the Photowalk on a Saturday or Sunday). Most of Photowalks are organized to happen in the morning, but you can find or organize an evening event too.

Selecting a City and Street:

You need to choose a city close where you live, or maybe you might be traveling for vacation and etc. To choose the route to Photowalk, would be good you do a little of research about parking lots and restaurants in that area. You also want a route that offers you and the pother photographers some nice things to be taken pictures like, buildings, bridges, railroad, parks, beaches, etc.

Inviting People:

You have to let people know that you are organizing one photowalk on your area. To invite people to participate of your Photowalk, you should write some posts on your blog, invite other blogers, write some emails to few different camera clubs and associations, etc. We didn’t have to go through all this effort for this Worldwide Photowalk… Scott Kelby’s name was good enough to make people all over the world sign in few weeks in advanced.

Equipment:

You need to bring your camera (SLR or Point and Shoot). That is it!!! … I wish that it was that easy. Don’t forget your bag, cards, batteries, lenses and etc. You might not need an external flash or a tripod, but it is your choice to bring them or not. Just remember that you are going to be walking for one or two hours (go easy on how much stuff you want to bring with you).

Last Details:

Remember that Photowalk is an outside event and that you should be aware of few details like; water, snacks, hat, appropriate clothing, sun block, comfortable shoes and etc.

My Personal TIP:

When I organize my Photowalks;

- I generally buy some name tags so every photographer can write his or her name on it (better than have to keep asking people’s name).

- I ask some local small business’ owners for some give away prices that I can give to the photographers (sponsorship) in exchange for their name in my blog.

- I always get 20 to 30 minutes earlier at the location designated for the Photowalk.

- I like to take pictures of the group together

- I try don’t think too much about my own pictures. I am there to have fun and meet other photographers too.

- I always have my Flick group created weeks before the event.

- I Contact the local media (TV, Radio and Newspaper)

- Business Card… Always bring a lot of them!!!

I hope that you read all this post from the beginning to the end, and that it helped you in somehow.

See you at your next Photowalk.

Paulo Jordao

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