Standing Out at a Networking Event
Roody & I have been doing the most this year. We have been spending a lot of time in New York City to attend meet-up’s, photograph models and do birthday shoots for clients. A couple weekends ago, we attended the Visual Chrysalis Collective Launch Party. It was a networking event, and I wanted to make sure I looked really presentable. So I opened up my NY & Company Closet rental box and pulled out this green blazer.
I was going to pair it with a black top, but Roody reminded me that I needed to stand out. He does Real Estate and they have networking events all the time. One of his co-workers taught him the trick of wearing something that stands out to get the attention of prospective clients.
So I paired the green blazer with a yellow top, then I put on my comfy-est pair of Fashion Nova Jeans and the only black heels I have that I can walk around in. I put on some African-inspired jewelry #fortheculture and that was it!
A woman who I had met before said that I looked really professional haha. I mean, I took it as a compliment because that was definitely the look I was going for. When I tell someone that I am a photographer, I don’t want him/her to just imagine me with a “fancy camera” shooting for fun. I am a professional. Photography puts food on our family’s table, so I take it seriously.
It doesn’t matter what your line of work is—first impression is lasting. You could be running a multi-million-dollar business, or you could just be starting out and haven’t even turned a profit yet—looking good makes you feel good, and you will exude more confidence.
And wearing something a little bright in color never hurt anybody haha.
I exchanged contact information with others in the industry. I actually sat next to a model/stylist named Nick and chatted him up for a little while. He reached out to me a few days later and we scheduled a photo shoot. These are the best photos of a male model that I have ever taken in my life.
Depending on the industry that you’re in, you might not even need to take business cards with you to a networking event. Every person I met, I asked for their instagram username and we followed each other. So if your instagram is not up to par, fix it! I have put so much thought and effort into making my Instagram reflect my professionalism, and I feel like it attracts prospective clients way better than a business card ever could.
Roody, on the other hand, needs business cards when he is talking to prospective buyers. So if you need cards, make sure they are beautifully designed and don’t feel cheap haha.
But I’m serious. Cheap cards are whack.
Good luck out there! :)
Blazer: New York & Company
Jeans: Fashion Nova
Shoes: Shoedazzle
