I've been uploading photos to Pexels for years. At some point I heard about the first meetups – photographers get together, do something creative, sometimes a photo walk, sometimes with models. The concept is simple: a time, a place, a camera. The rest figures itself out. At the first meetup in Munich, models were involved. Two firsts for me at once: first meetup, first portraits with people I'd never met.
I was immediately in – curious, and honestly pretty nervous.
Zero Preparation, Five Unknown Faces
Around Rosenheimer Platz, five or six photographers, four models. I had no idea what to expect. And more importantly, no idea how any of this worked: How do you give direction? What do you even say? Where do you put someone?
What I discovered pretty quickly: nobody else really knew either. Everyone a little hesitant at the start – photographers and models alike. No one stepping up to take charge. Somehow reassuring. And at the same time exactly the kind of situation where you really don't want to be the first one to stumble.
So, I observed, shot from the background, let others take the lead. Eventually the group spread out a bit – and that helped. With another photographer, away from the main group, I gradually loosened up. Not really directing. But at least staying in it.
That's actually still how it is today: I work better when the model does their thing and I catch the right moment. If I need to step in, I do – but letting things flow naturally works better for me than strict direction.
What I Didn't Know Yet
Looking at the photos from that day now, I can immediately see the difference from where I am today. The focus back then was almost entirely on two things: is it sharp and is the exposure right. Hair, look, background, composition – barely factored in. Not because I didn't care, but because I simply wasn't thinking that way yet. Craft came first; the creative eye came after.
Some things are still the same today. But a lot has changed.
The Beginning of More
After the meetup I wanted more. I started actively reaching out to people on Instagram, organising TFP shoots, and building a small network. Portrait by portrait. Up to today.
What I find compelling about these meetups: they lower the barrier for everyone. Models who want to build experience, photographers who don't know where to start – the format creates connections that wouldn't happen otherwise. Pexels still does this, and more and more groups like it are popping up, including via Instagram. Since then, I've been to some more meetups in Munich – and one in New York. A good development, and a welcome change from going out alone.
The first shoot was awkward, nervous, and completely unprepared. But it was the start of something that's now a fixed part of my photography.
Rosenheimer Platz, March 2024
