Its on!! I’m here to announce that we will be meeting in Seattle for the Sixth Annual Toy Photographers Meet-Up! Mark the calendar for September 11–13, 2020. I don’t know about you, but I need to hear some good news. I love anticipating this upcoming weekend that some have described as life changing. Or at the very least, tons of fun!
Thanks to encouragement from a few friends, we’re going to gather in Seattle for a rocking good time! Frankly, between you and me, I need to look forward to something right now. A weekend of photographing toys with a group of likeminded friends seems just the antidote to a world pandemic.
The fun part
This year’s event will have all the hallmarks of a Toy Photographers Meet-Up. It will include fun, photography, collaborations and lots of silliness—and, of course, plenty of toys! To ensure that we focus on what’s important, I’m making a few changes to the weekend’s activities.
The biggest change to our 2020 meet-up is that it will be free! There is no charge to attend the meet-up and, as always, all toys and photography levels are welcome. What we will have:
- Contests with prizes
- Photo swap
- Commemorative swag
- A trip to Bobakhan toy store
- New locations that take advantage of the golden hours
- Eleven-passenger van for anyone who needs / wants to join the party bus!
Do you want to see amazing toy photographers in action? This is your chance. Are you looking to expand your toy photography? You will never have a better opportunity to learn from other talented attendees. Every year I learn new tricks and come away with great ideas after watching my friends in action. You will too!
Come to Seattle
I realize that the world has gone sideways for the moment. We’re living in a historic and truly painful moment. Sure, Seattle is the epicenter of the U.S. outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). But I believe that when September arrives, some aspect of normalcy will have returned. You are going to be glad you started making plans now to join the Seattle Toy Photographers Meet-Up. Just to be on the safe side, make sure your travel plans are refundable!
Seattle is a beautiful part of the world. We will explore local beaches and maybe even take a trip into the mountains this year. Whatever our eventual itinerary, I promise you a memorable experience. Im working with some amazing folks to make sure we have everything we need to keep even the most discerning toy photographer happy. Thank you Doug, Leila and Eric for pushing and encouraging me to get the ball rolling.
Just do it!
Life is short and nothing brings that into focus like a global pandemic. So let’s plan on a fun adventure this fall at the Seattle Toy Photographers Meet-Up! Seattle is traditionally gorgeous in September. But as always, no matter what the weather, we will have a great time! Bring your families, bring your best friend, bring your dog! Bring your camera and don’t worry about having the right toys. We’ve got you covered.
I look forward to welcoming you to my fair city in September. Until then, stay safe and healthy.
~ With love and gratitude, Shelly
Even though this event is free, I will need to know who is planning (or hoping) to attend. Please sign up here so I can keep you in the loop as our plans continue to take shape.
Oh yes, I’m definitely going to get my A into G to attend this years safari
James it will be awesome if you can make it! What a pleasure to be able to photograph with you and learn the ways of the Magi! Keep me posted if you get your A into G! 😀
For sure I am coming this year and Mark will be coming with me!!!
Excellent Mary! I promise we will have easily accessible locations with minimal walking. Im learning to create a better experience for everyone one. And honestly when you get on the ground, one piece of moss or bark looks much like another!!
Looking forward to this! Sure hope the world will have settled and returned to normal by then.
Leila I don’t think we will ever see the world we just left. But I have faith we will end up in a better, stronger place. If that is by September, that is debatable. But maybe we can squeak through a brief window of calm and enjoy each others company for one weekend! See you in September!
Outside of the current state of the world, this year has hit us like a ton of bricks — both good bricks (like lego) and bad bricks (like cement). Melisa and I are going to make every effort to bee there, but this could potentially be the first year we miss 🙁 — we’ll know more as the time gets closer. I’m glad to see this go up either way, Seattle is an amazing city and to this day stands out as one of the best Toy Meetups. Whoever plans to attend will not be disappointing in the beauty of the PNW.
Thanks for the vote of confidence on our location this year Dennis! As we both know, the location is only the red herring, the real draw is the people. So far we have a nice crew committing to coming. I will keep my fingers that you and Melisa will be among us. If not, I know it is only a temp absence. We will eat Subway sandwiches and carrot sticks in your honor!! 😀
Is this event still on?
Yes I’m planning on it. We finally have some sort of ‘plan’ from our state governor and it looks like groups can start gathering in July. As long as we practice good social distancing, masks, wash our hands and are willing to eat al fresco, I dont see what we can together and have a great time. I dont anticipate any contests or challenges based on collaborative photos, but otherwise we should be business as usual. Will you be joining us? The last time I looked we had 10 people signed up. 😀
Any updates? Is this still a go. ??
Is this event still on? Wanting to book flight while they are cheap. . ??