Mentor Sessions are an attendee’s opportunity to meet one-on-one with a famous/successful person in their industry and pick their brain for a regulated period of time. Mentors are generally speakers that are asked to participate in the program and are from the worlds of Tech, Film and Music. Advance sign up is available, but they can sometimes accommodate walk-ups.
Mentor sessions are an intimate setting, and there’s a balance between getting the photos we need and respecting the participants’ space and time. Be mindful.
Arrive early to a Mentor Session and find the SXSW staff member (yellow STAFF lanyard) facilitating that room. They will help guide you to the mentors and mentees that may be more amenable to having photos taken. The staff member can give you a read on the room and help you choose shot locations.
Room of mentors and mentees meeting
Various mentor/mentees engaging in conversation
Handshakes
Exchanging business cards or sharing/looking at materials or devices
Mentors and mentees face each other. Do your best to get photos that don’t include too much of someone’s back. Mentor’s face is priority, but important to show mentee’s face if possible.