The first priority is to attend munches. So is the second. And the third. These provide useful sources of information and opinion on local activity and the wider kink scene. You also get your face known, so other guests can recommend you or other wise vouch for you, and you'rell be known as a real Read more… person rather than an online profile.
Munches come in many flavours. Some are specifically for the younger generation - under 35 is most common. Then there are specific interest munches such as FemDom, Metal Music, Boardgames or whatever. These latter might be less intimidating and have more in common with your own interests.

Intimate toys ought to be provided and owned by the one that has them inserted or whatever. Certainly there are plentiful ways to sterilise toys, whether chemicals, soap, UV or whatever, but some kinksters don't want to share. Fair enough but they ought to consider providing rather than expecting Read more… expensive presents. I've passed out ballgags often, but they're relatively cheap.
Remember that dildos and butt plags can have a condom used as barrier protection. While still an expense to yourself, it's markedly cheaper than a new toy altogether.

A heartfelt 'Thank you Sir/Mistress' goes a long way. Not the 'You will say "Thank You" after every stroke'-kind of imposed gratitude but one that is almost spontaneous.

I'm regularly a Top and have been a Dominant. I have never demanded images. It's certainly not a part of D/s that I recognise (although I do acknowledge verification images but they don't need to be explicit). Frankly the demanding of intimate photos is a red flag for me, and is perhaps the easiest Read more… to spot. Thankfully the Dim Doms out themselves quite easily but newbies may not spot the warning signs until too late.

Plan breaks in the play session. I often play for eight hours or more, but factor in tea and lunch breaaks or simple 're-sets' where they return from subspace and are capable of rational thought once more. Obviously safewords are valid throughout so an 'Amber' (pause) or similar safeword/safe Read more… signal is always available for momentary breaks.

I create images only after careful negotiation since once Pandora's box is open it can't be closed. If a relationship fails and one partner is vindictive, no amount of morality or legislation can prevent the images being ***d. Trust, but verify - anonymous images such as extreme close-ups, neutral Read more… backgrounds, no faces, etc. can be a starting point.
Creating images for profiles is a very useful activity since a play pic can speak louder than an SFW image or even a risque one. Again, anonymity is more useful than being able to identify people and locations.
For my part I create images as souvenirs and as useful learning tools, showing where things mihght be improved if we repeat a scene. This site doesn't allow play images unless a couple but elsewhere I have some images of playmates as examples of my kit and play style. It goes without saying that they have approved such images and that permission to post can be withdrawn at any time.

Long walk through the countryside with fellow kinksters today. No actual kink although markers put down for more play soon.