In an effort to get more practice shooting portraits (as opposed to candid street scenes) and to socialize with local photography enthusiasts, I recently joined the New York Pin-Up Photography Meetup Group. This past Saturday, the group of shutterbugs, models and make-up artists met at Blue Ruin, a Hell's Kitchen bar, to cooperatively work on their crafts.

I posted a host of photos from that event. I'm new to this "directing" stuff, and, in fact, I really didn't do much of it, but it's something I hope to improve upon. Follow my progress on Fotki as I attend more event and hopefully make photos that the models, as well as myself, are glad to add to their portfolios.

Also, if anyone can recommend other NYC photo-related Meetups that combine work and play, art and socializing, please send me an e-mail.