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A Few Things I Learned About Women’s Conferences at the VA Women’s Business Conference

A Few Things I Learned About Women’s Conferences at the VA Women’s Business Conference

December 10, 2018 1:59 pm No Comments melissa_mm

VA WOmens Business Conference 2018

I was recently asked to photograph at the Virginia Women’s Business Conference at the Sheraton Tyson’s Corner Hotel. I’ve photographed many events before and have been to countless conferences in my past life…but I was not prepared for a WOMEN’S Conference! It was tenth year of this conference and organized by the exceptional Tina Johnson of JP Events and it was DONE RIGHT! There were even awards for “Stellar Woman of the Year” and Young Stellar Entrepreneurs, high school students who were mentored and highlighted at the lunch presentation.

From the many inspiring keynote speakers, Michelle Poler of Hello Fears, author, Fawn Germer, and entrepreneur Cindy Munroe of 31Gifts,  to the choice of nine different tracks (from Business 101, Power, Personal Development and Wellness) with back-to-back presentations in all of them from successful and inspiring businesswomen.

There were details that I noticed that made me aware that this was distinctly a women’s conference, for women, and planned by women. First of all, one track that solely focused on WELLNESS included topics such as self care, managing menopause, and reversing diabetes naturally; personal development presentations that emphasized ideas such as empowerment and building a positive attitude and planning for abundance. This is NOT a conference that I was used to attending back when I was in the corporate world.

Other little details, such as bottomless coffee and tea, fruit, nuts and healthy munchies throughout the day; a breastfeeding station right front and center among the conference rooms (no more being sent down the long corridor to the small, dark office); chocolate breaks at just the right time in the late afternoon, plus exhibitors that offered an opportunity to get a little shopping done (multi-tasking of a woman).  All were distinctly female touches.

And the EMPOWERMENT speeches on the main stage, inspiring entrepreneurs and corporate woman speaking about their weaknesses and how they strive to overcome them, a level of vulnerability that was allowed because – hey – we’re all women and we get it! Things aren’t always easy.

Oh, and did I mention the dancing? Main stage speaker of Hello Fears that spoke about overcoming her fear of dancing in public, and got the whole audience up and dancing with her.? And at the closing session, instead of a coffee break to wake everyone up – it was a dancing break, to Justin Timberlake (and it worked!).

Only at a Women’s Conference.

Posted in: Corporate, Women In Business
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About Melissa

Melissa is headshot and portrait photographer, specializing in personal branding sessions for creative businesses and entrepreneurs. As your visual storytelling partner, Melissa helps you connect to your audience and grow your business. She also photographs high school seniors and lifestyle family sessions.

Contact Melissa

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I was so happy to work with this interior designer I was so happy to work with this interior designer who was giving her website a reboot with new branding images. Shooting on location is always fun and her work is so elegant - I believe the images brought out her elegance as well! Her website is InspiredDesign.com. Go check it out!  #melissamaillettphotography, #viennavaphotographer, #viennabusinessassocitation, #interiordesignerlife, #mixingupmidlife,  #northernvabrandingphotographer
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 The white of the snow below you makes a reflector and brightens up your face. Smooths out wrinkles and you gotta love natural light! In the winter the sun is lower in the sky and the lighting is pretty good even in midday (which I avoid in the spring and summer). ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Second tip - this shot was actually taken with video, using my little Canon G7X on a tripod - and then bringing it into Final Cut Pro and exporting a still shot. But you can do this easily with your iphone as well. Take some video (it's feels more natural than holding an awkward smile while waiting for the self-timer) and then snap a screen shot during the point in the video that you like. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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So get out there in this cold winter and snap a few shots or video and play in the snow!
Branding sessions can happen anywhere! The client Branding sessions can happen anywhere!  The client for this session from back in the fall was for one of my subscription clients and she wanted to show some fun outdoor shots so we headed out to downtown Washington, DC for a fun session along the reflecting pool and the National mall. She is not a political but a digital wellness coach and speaker. But why not! Swipe to see bts of me during the session
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But yes, even I can understand the value of putting my face forward and introducing myself. I have a business, I want to connect with people who I want to do business with - and who may want to work with me. What better way to make the introduction to business than showing my face!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Because I am so camera-shy and reluctant to get on the other side of my lens, I have challenged myself to do just that. And in doing it, I'll explore tips and tricks to help my clients not only feel more comfortable posing when I take your shots, but also to try do it yourself!  I will share my selfie-successes (and possibly failures) with you. I am much better with the pro camera, but I also know that the camera in your phone will be the more common tool. But be aware, this NOT your teenager's insta shot - this is about creating fun and quality images that can be used for your marketing and branding ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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But who knows, maybe we will learn a few things from those "insta famous" crowd???
Think it's too cold to do corporate headshots outs Think it's too cold to do corporate headshots outside?

Think again! These shots were both taken this winter - in between bouts of wind and in a very brief time period (so we could keep noses warm and make sure eyes didn't water). 

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But I must say it is even more fun when a client brings their puppy to the shoot! .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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