As I said in my intro I am very new to photography, but I adore taking pictures! I would like to start building a portfolio....eventually I would like to snap pics for a living (or at least to fund more gear purchases!)

Anyway...sometimes when I am out with my kids I will see the perfect little face that is just screaming to be shot. I have been tempted to approach someone asking if I can take a pic for my portfolio and then email them the shots in exchange.

I wonder how you all have dealt with this?

I myself have done that and you can either come off as a Photographer learning, or a child Molester stalking, so you have to be careful these days, I use Zenfolio to keep my Galleries, it is cheep and easy but looks really good, its $20.00 a year for limited or $40.00 for the umlimited a year, I have a link on my signature that will take you there so you can look around.

__________________
My Gallerys at :www.dale.zenfolio.com

Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum
"If you seek Peace, Prepair for War."

Just go ahead and snap away but don't look like you're up to no good. I havn't been stopped yet. But if the parents see you just create some small talk and offer to give them the picture of their kid (maybe it will generate business).

__________________
Where have I been this whole time?

Flickr is the place to be!
Photos By Rowell

Business cards are often the best way to start up a conversation. Let them know what you are up to and who you are.

__________________

I find that this is the best way to do it! The MOO cards are great and inexpensive. If you want more info just PM me...I actually got the idea for the MOO cards here from someone and I don't remember who it was??? Anyway, I find that too when approaching people, letting them know you are a mother as well as a photographer helps. Unlike, stalker Dale Ha ha ha JK Dale But, I always just ask and say that I'm a photographer and they have really cute kids and your idea about the portfolio helps them to not feel like you're trying to sell them anything. But, that you just want to build a portfolio and offering them prints is nice too. I have done this several times and some say no thanks and some say yes???

Business cards is deff the way to do it. I had some that said "You've been shot" and provided them with a link to where they can later find their photos PW protected. If they decline simply delete it.

On my current biz cards I have it double sided, side "A" is for my photog biz sdphotoforum and side "B" is my Real Estate Biz with a self pic.

I cant stress enough how important it is to have your photo on your cards. Scenario: Bob goes to a luncheon or group event, several photog's are there and give him biz cards with awesome pics that they took along with their biz names, web addy, email etc... Well thats all fine and dandy but I can guarantee that they will go straight to the trash because Bob doesn't know Photog "A" from Photog "B" and he very disliked Photog "A" but doesn't remember which card was who's.

Now you spoke to Bob and told him of your photog bus and pass him a card, this one has your pic and when he gets home he'll sift through the cards and keep yours because there is a "relationship" there and he enjoyed your company :He remembered your face, Not your name:...... Pretty lame scenario but trust me it works wonders!