Hungry for opportunities to connect with Saint Louis area creatives?

Well hold on to your hats, ladies and gentlemen, the next two weeks will provide the bulk of the month's largest photography networking events in the area. Our community is growing, and there are now more opportunities than ever before to practice your skills and shoot alongside professionals on both sides of the lens. Here's my list of 6 not-to-miss events happening in the Saint Louis photography community in the next two weeks: 

RAYMOND KENNEDY JR. PHOTOGRAPHY PRESENTS: NATURE PHOTO WALK - Sunday, August 20th; 4-7pm @ Busch Wildlife Sanctuary

After a wildly successful launch event a couple months ago with Pink Lemon Dance Studios, Raymond Kennedy Jr. is back with more. Completely free to attend, photographers and models of all ages and skill-levels are invited to network and practice their skills together for a Sunday afternoon photo walk at Busch Wildlife Sanctuary (2360 Highway D, St Charles, MO 63304). Although past events have been themed (blacklight, urban 80's), this month models are free to style as they wish.

Click here to RSVP That you're coming!

PRO-TIP:  With past meet ups including a black light photoshoot at Pink Lemon Dance Studios and an urban 80's photoshoot at the downtown graffiti wall, my eye is on this group to coordinate the most creative meet-ups in the future. Don't miss your opportunity to meet the whole gang this Sunday afternoon!

TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE 2017 - Monday, August 21st

If you're a resident of The Heartland, chances are you've heard of the upcoming solar eclipse on Monday, August 21st appearing--well, galaxy wide--but eclipsing the sun in totality across the state, anywhere from a 10 seconds - 2 min, 30 seconds depending on where you stand. Don't miss your opportunity to capture this once in a lifetime experience.

A solar eclipse occurs whenever the moon’s shadow falls on the Earth. To photograph it, in short, you'll need a solar lens filter, typically ranging in price from $25-100 to protect your camera's imaging sensor and to gauge the correct exposure. You’ll also need your own pair of protective specs to view the event in all its glory. Do not skip this step! Even if 99% of the sun is covered by the moon, the remaining 1% crescent is dangerous to view with the naked eye and can cause serious eye damage or blindness.

Click here to find a solar lens filter for your camera! 

Click here to find protective specs!

PRO-TIP: Craving more information about the upcoming solar eclipse? Attend, “The Art of the Sun,” presented by University of Missouri-Saint Louis the evening before the big shebang, Saturday, Aug 20th at 7:30pm at the Touhill Performing Arts Center (1 University Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63121). The College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Fine and Performing Arts, and the Department of Physics and Astronomy are combining to present performances as well as scientific presentations to celebrate the historical celestial event. Completely free and open to the public, attendees will receive a free pair of eclipse viewing glasses! Click here for more information! 

MERCADEZ PHOTOGRAPHY PRESENTS: STL AREA PHOTOGRAPHER CONNECT - Friday, Aug 25th; 5-8pm @ Forest Park

Kick off a weekend of networking with  a brand new monthly meet-up group started by local company, Mercadez Photography. Free and open to the public, St. Louis area creatives on both sides of the lens are invited to connect, shoot and inspire one another on Friday, August 25th from 5-8pm in Forest Park. Here's your opportunity to get in with a group from the ground up! 

Click here to RSVP that you're coming! 

PRO-TIP: Interested in modeling? This is the perfect opportunity to get plenty of camera time! Since this will be one of the smaller meet-ups going on this month, I'd bet that models will enjoy more one-on-one attention for this photo walk. Take advantage of your opportunity network with St. Louis area photographers, practice your skills, and build your portfolio! 

IGERSSTLOUIS PRESENTS FESTIVAL OF NATIONS PHOTOWALK - Saturday, August 26th; 10:30am @ Mokabees Coffeehouse

Don't miss this free photo walk presented by the team behind Saint Louis' fastest growing Instagram feature account, @igersstlouis. Photographers, models, and Instagram fanatics of all ages and skill levels are invited to network and practice their skills together in conjunction with the Festival of Nations held in Tower Grove Park that same afternoon. The group will meet at 10:30am at Mokabees Coffeehouse (3606 Arsenal St, St. Louis, MO 63116), situated across the street from Tower Grove Park. After grabbing a cup of joe, they’ll proceed to the Festival of Nations, and finish at Rooster’s on Grand.

You can bet this will be the first of many events from the @igersstlouis team! Click here to follow their Instagram account, where they showcase the daily flavor of St Louis, as well as announce all of their upcoming events.

Click here to RSVP that you’re coming!

PRO-TIP: Perhaps you're a blogger or avid Instagrammer? This is the perfect meet-up for you! Here's your opportunity to hang out on both sides of the lens while networking with multiple photographers and models in the area. Friendly to both the hobbyist and the pro, come out for an afternoon celebrating friendship and photography in Tower Grove Park. 

ISR PHOTO WALK MEET-UP - Sunday, August 27th; 12pm @ Rise Coffeehouse

The ISRPhotos Walk is back again with its monthly meet-up on Sunday, August 27th in The Grove neighborhood. The group will start at Rise Coffeehouse (4176 Manchester Ave, St Louis MO 63110) at 10:30am, moving from there to the surrounding neighborhood. Photographers and models of all ages and skill-levels are invited to network and shoot alongside each other in this meet-up for Saint Louis creatives. Completely free to attend, it's held every month in a central Saint Louis location--previous locations include Soulard Farmer's Market, Maplewood, Tower Grove Park, The Loop, and more. 

This month the group will collaborate with local clothing brand, Wagdod, for a gauntlet of product-focused photography. One of the largest meet-ups in the area, The ISR Photo Walk usually draws over 30 photographers in addition to the several models that drop by to pose for the camera. I would absolutely recommend this event for anybody interested in networking with photographers and models in the Saint Louis area!

PRO-TIP: Wagdod will be providing clothing for this months' models! Perhaps you have been wanting to update your headshots? Or get some pictures taken on a budget? Here's your opportunity to get photographed for free while networking with multiple photographers in the area. If you'd like to model for August's event send the @stlfaces team a direct message on Instagram! 

CAMERAS & COFFEE - Sunday, August 27th; 6pm @ Pizzahead

Cameras & Coffee is a another fantastic event for Saint Louis creatives looking to connect with the area's many photographers and models. All ages and skill levels are invited to shoot, network, and learn from each others' expertise in this bi-annual meet-up that's more about chatting with pals and less about getting shots for your portfolio. Completely free to attend, the group meets every other month somewhere in Saint Louis. Past meet-up locations include The St. Louis Museum, Coffee Cartel, Rise Coffeehouse, and more. 

This month the group will break the mold, foregoing a coffeehouse location for a pizza joint. Join Cameras & Coffee, or rather, Cameras & Pizza, on Sunday, August 27th at 6:30pm at Pizza Head on Grand Ave (3196 South Grand Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63118). Rumor has it that they're offering 2 slices of pizza and beer for $8. 

Click here to RSVP that you're coming! 

Click here to join the Cameras & Coffee Facebook Group to keep up with all the latest updates! 

PRO-TIP: You can bet there will be impromptu shooting going on. If you're a model or a photographer that is looking to shoot rather than gab, don't let this stop you from attending. You're encouraged to bring your camera!

And that's all she wrote, folks! 

Do you have an event that should be included in September 2017's Saint Louis Photography Guide? Shoot me an email at emily@emilyjohnsonstl.com!