At the Google Plus Photographer’s Conference earlier this week I talked to a lot of photographers who were just getting into photographing people. Several had shot some of the models at the conference and discovered how much they loved it. (I know the feeling).

Most of them were asking me how to get started with model photography and I recommended joining a local Meetup.com photography group and going to a few meetups. A lot of the groups schedule model shoots and they are great for learning posing techniques, some lighting, and just getting comfortable in the studio.

For the Bay Area photographers, here is the list of meetup groups I am a member of. Not all of these do model shoots, but they are all worthwhile. Check them out.

A SOUTH BAY DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY GROUP

*ARTISTIC GLAMOUR AND FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB*

Adobe Creative Suite User Group – San Jose

Art of Urban Exploration

The Artists Path to Cash

BAMPS – Bay Area Model Photo Shoots

Bay Area Fine Art and Fashion

Bay Area Glamour Photoshoots

Bay Area HDSLR

Bay Area Image Maker’s Collective

Bay Area Model Madness

Bay Area Night Photography

Bay Area Photo Cliques

Bay Area Photo Studio Shoots

Bay Area Photographers Working Together

Bay Area Photography

The Bay Area Photography & Exploration Society

Bay Area Photography Events

Bay Area Photography Group

Bay Area Strobists

Bikini Model Photo Workshop

The Candy Man Photo Shoot

Chasing Light N Photographing Landscape

Creative Portraiture in Santa Cruz

Digital Photography Society of Santa Cruz

EXPOSED – A Photography Showcase

Fremont Digital Photo Freeschool

Funtography Club

Hold the Eye Images Meetup Group

Jules CAFE Photo Peeps Meetup and PUG

Lollipop Girl Glam Shoot

Making Art Make Money

Northern California Bikini & Boudoir Workshops

Off camera flash photography

Pacific Light Studios

Photographers for Photography

Photography Classes

Photography Classes and Workshops – All Levels

Photogrartists

Photolight – Photography & Lighting (SF Bay Area)

Renegade Photo Shoots – Bay Area

The San Francisco Photography Meetup Group

San Jose Photoshop Users Group

San Jose Strobists

SF Bay Area Glamour and Fine Art Nude Photography

SF Bay Model Photo Shoots

SF Bay Model Shoots Inc.

SF Photoshop Users Group

SFBayArea “Trade For” Shoots

Silicon Valley Digital Photography Workshops

South Bay Fashion Photography

The South Bay Photography Meetup Group

Star Circle Academy

This Week in Photo (TWiP) & SmugMug Bay Area Meetup