Horrible Idea?

[SoulCapture]

Hello everyone,
I am an amateur photographer, but i have confidence and know the basics. Composition, angles, interacting with clients, etc. What i want to do is set up an somethign outside in the shade where i take a picture or two for FREE. All i ask is for donations. I will have a sign up sheet and will ask for name, number, and email. I will tell the clients that the picture will be done by a week and they will recieve it via email. Every second saturday of every month there is a sort of a gathering located in downtown pertaining to local artists and musicians. I am going to set up a table and have a friend help me out. I will prolly have an assitant with a reflector but thats about it. Maybe a collapsable backdrop, either white or black. And i will prolly be shooting with my 20d with 50mm f/1.8. I have some good images for a portfolio but i am a long way from completing it. My goal is to shoot glamour and fashion in the future. Do you think this idea is not worth it? Let me know what you guys think. I love taking pictures so i thought, why not? Its experience and a bit of exposure! ;D

[Bruce A]

I don't know what laws you have where you are, but as long as you're not breaking any then have a go - it would help you gain experience and confidence. As long as you can look at your results and try to improve by being critical of them, I can't see why it's not worth a go. Good luck and I admire your initiative.

[AnonymousKiwi1]

I'd suggest that you also have your subjects sign a properly worded model release. That way any keepers are yours to use freely in your portfolio and advertising, without any worries. Best of luck.

[candleman]

Originally Posted by SoulCapture

Do you think this idea is not worth it?

That depends on what your time is worth to you, and what you expect to get out of this.
If you want to be known as a Walmart "drive thru" type photographer then sure, why not. It all depends on what you want your reputation tobe and what sort of work you want to do.

I don't see a table in a park being anything near Glamour though so dont's see how this would help you except maybe eating into your free time.

[SoulCapture]

Hey thanks for all of the advice and i will be trying to do a release form for the event; that is a great idea.

Basically what I am expecting is networking. Sure i might be known as the wal mart photograher but i believe everyone starts somewhere. The way i look at it; i am shooting "potential future clients." If a see a person that has the certain look i believe i need for an editorial shot or fits the theme i am trying to convey with shots for portfolios i will market myself.

Im guessing it might be a good idea to bring some of my work to show off? Right now im just taking a lot of portraits. Glamour and fashion is my goal tho.

[DSWfoto]

Something else you may consider is take their picture for free, but charge them if they want the digital negative. You could even give them a free copy with your logo on it to help promote yourself..

[BigFuzzy]

Also keep in mind that doing this type of photography does not get you practice for what you say you want to do which is glamour and fashion which are (typically) very controlled shooting environments which involve a lot more thought and planning in such things as lighting etc.

I'm always yelling at folks to just shoot shoot shoot, so I can't really knock someone trying to create an environment where they are shooting, just make sure you know what you're getting into and whether it's worth the time.

Good luck, and post some results!

PS I agree with all said above before me.

[SusanH1970]

Originally Posted by BigFuzzy

Also keep in mind that doing this type of photography does not get you practice for what you say you want to do which is glamour and fashion which are (typically) very controlled shooting environments which involve a lot more thought and planning in such things as lighting etc.

Not only that, but for the most part, people that will jump at the chance of a freebie/cheap photo shoot are not really potential clients that will be willing to pay for it in the future.

It would be a fun thing for experience/practice, but don't bank on it for securing paying clients.

[SoulCapture]

everyone here makes a valid point and i thank you. The potential client idea i know wont be gaurenteed. But basically i just wanna take some pictures of random people of the City of Sacramento. My home town. I know this isn't be worth it for most if not all other photographers but i can't stop thinking about shooting pictures when i am at work as i am right now. Theres this constant obsession i have. Concepts, themes, colors, mood, Everything. I cant turn off the switch right now. You are precisely right about not the "right" experience towards glamour and fashion but I think i wanna use this opportunity to learn how to interact with fresh faces; people i have never met. Try different poses and ofcourse experiment. See how everybody's reaction is towards me taking their photos. Thanks a lot everybody!

CHEERS

P.S.
The event is july 9th so i will be happy to post some of it for you guys to critique and go crazy on me lol I LOVE IT!!

[Niresangwa]

Originally Posted by SoulCapture

but i can't stop thinking about shooting pictures when i am at work as i am right now. Theres this constant obsession i have. Concepts, themes, colors, mood, Everything. I cant turn off the switch right now.

Don't worry, the novelty wears off eventually.