Finding Creative Community in LA: My Experience at the Yeah The Video Girls Meetup

Written By Kelsey Ogden

When people talk about networking in LA, the response is often mixed. You hear stories about clout-chasing, people sizing you up based on follower counts, or only engaging when they want something. Genuine connection can feel rare—at least if you’re going off what the internet says.

But I just got back from a meetup that reminded me: maybe some folks are just meeting the wrong people.

Today I attended a meetup with Yeah the Video Girls, a collective, founded by Jackie Catechis and Mariah Harkey, “of women and non-men videographers, photographers, and hybrid shooters around the world. We’re here to build community, connect our collective to new work opportunities, and empower more women to pursue a career in this male-dominated industry.”

And after just one event, I’ve got to say — the people they’re bringing together are so genuine, creative, and cool, I left feeling completely energized. Some of that was from the delicious coffee at Saba Surf Café in Venice, but most of it came from the amazing people I met.

I first stumbled across Jackie and Mariah’s work on Instagram. I follow a lot of music photographers and videographers, and some of their content randomly came across my feed one day. I ended up following and eventually learned about Yeah the Video Girls. I moved to LA a little over two months ago, and when I saw they were hosting an LA meetup, I knew it was time. I’ve been eager to plug into the creative scene here and meet other folks in the photo and video world.

The meetup took place at Saba Surf Café, a newer coffee spot in Venice with great coffee, pastries, chill vibes, and a cozy backyard patio. They also just built a small photo studio next door they’ll soon be renting out — a perfect location for a creative meetup.

When I arrived, I ordered a cortado and a chorizo and cheese croissant (both delicious). I sat solo for a few minutes, mentally prepping myself to walk out back and introduce myself. I’m naturally introverted, so networking isn’t my strongest suit. I usually need a little self-pep talk to dive in.

When I stepped outside, there were just four women sitting together — and it was clear they already knew each other. For a moment, I definitely felt like the new kid. But those nerves disappeared fast as we started chatting about our work, our goals, and the paths we’re carving in our careers. Most of the group met through the music scene — shooting concerts, festivals, and touring with artists. While I dabble in music videography and photography (and it use to be a huge passion of mine), it’s not my core focus these days, so I was fascinated just listening to their stories about covering events like Coachella, EDC, and Lightning in a Bottle.

The entire meetup was about 2 hours but time flew by. And by the time I left, my mind was swimming with excitement and insights. Here are some of the things I learned from this meetup: 

Takeaway #1: Surround yourself with people doing the kind of work you aspire to

Even though music may not be my long-term niche, the women who were at this event are working at an incredibly high level — on tour with major artists, producing stunning content, and living creatively on their own terms. That’s the level I want to be at in my own way. And what struck me most was how non-competitive the group felt. Everyone had their own style, their own path, and there was no posturing — just a genuine desire to connect and support each other. That kind of energy is so refreshing to be around.

Takeaway #2: Diversify your skillset (and your income)

So many of the women there weren’t just photographers or videographers. They were also directors, producers, editors, event managers, social media strategists, creative directors, and business owners. It reminded me how essential it is — especially as a freelancer — to have multiple ways to show up, get hired, and stay creative. Many of them talked about how they branch out beyond the music industry or their current roles. That really resonated with me. I’ve always had a wide range of interests and career spanning many skills, and this meetup reminded me that niching down doesn’t mean boxing yourself in. Being versatile keeps you adaptable and sustainable.

Takeaway #3: Longevity requires a shift in how we work

Our conversations also touched on the long game of creative careers. We talked about burnout, the toll of constant travel, what happens when you get sick and can’t work, and how to shift into roles that are more sustainable. Things like team-building, hiring collaborators, and moving into producer or director roles came up — not just for bigger budgets, but for better balance. When you stop trying to do everything yourself and bring in specialists, you not only create better work, you create more space for yourself to grow.

Takeaway #4: Pivoting requires strategy — and often, free work

I asked how you go about changing industries when your portfolio doesn’t yet reflect where you want to go. The answer? Often, you do spec work. Free work. Projects that show what you're capable of, so that potential clients can see it. I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately as I consider expanding into new areas, and it was helpful to hear that even the pros still go back to basics when starting something new.

Takeaway #5: Your network is your business

This one wasn’t new for me, but it was reaffirming. Nearly all of my freelance work in the past year came through my network — friends, old coworkers, and referrals. After being laid off last year, my network carried me through, and it was comforting to hear others say the same. Especially in a tough job market, it feels nearly impossible to get hired without someone vouching for you. It’s a big reason I’ve been prioritizing events like this — not for business cards, but for connection.

And here’s the thing about networking: it works best when you stop thinking of it as networking.

You go to a coffee shop. You talk to people. You listen, share, laugh. You make friends. That’s where the real magic happens. You never know who might become a collaborator or refer you to your next gig. But if that’s your only goal walking in, it shows. People want to work with people they genuinely like. And that only happens when you show up as a human being, not a pitch.

That’s what was so special about this meetup. These women — and this community — weren’t there to extract. They were there to connect. You could feel it in every conversation. And that kind of energy starts at the top — so huge props to Mariah and Jackie for creating a space rooted in community, not competition.

Takeaway #6: Intimacy creates connection

Another thing I loved about this meetup? The group was small — maybe 8 -10 of us total. That intimacy made it so much easier to have real conversations. You weren’t rushing to hand off a business card and move on. You had space to actually talk. To listen. To get to know people. It felt more like making new friends than “networking.”

And let me tell you — every single person there was dope. I followed them all on Instagram afterward and was blown away by the talent in the group. Their work is creative, inspiring, and at such a high level. I’ll include links to their work below if you want to check them out.

Final thoughts:

This meetup reminded me why I love this work and why I’m so passionate about finding community within it. I left feeling connected, inspired, and grounded — with a fresh perspective on my goals, my career path, and the kind of people I want around me as I grow.

Massive thanks to Yeah the Video Girls for creating this space. I can’t wait to attend another event and continue building relationships in LA with people who genuinely care about lifting each other up.

Meetup Attendees:

Kelsey Ogden
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