How do you do it?

[hawk911]

Get experience with different types of sessions? I know there are people who take their first maternity/senior/engagement/etc, but do you ask people to be guinea pigs, or do you wait for someone to ask you?

[Rhinotherunt]

A little bit of both. I ask my Girl-friend to pose for me in mock sessions. People have asked me to do their weddings. (Better know what you are doing on those!) I have not done a maternity session. I also document various events at work, local community, and church. My images speak for themselves. If people like what they see they will come to you.

[xmacvicar]

Personally, in my area, there are like 3 established, very good photographers. Because there are so few, they charge alot of money - mind you, they give a great product tho. I started taking pics, managing my own website, and because I am in a small town - the word spreads kinda quick. I was willing to do ANY kind of picture for someone, so people/couples started calling me asking if I could do a decent picture for a decent price. I am slowly building my name around my town.

Most of the female models I take shots of, I personally ask them if they are willing to spend an hour with me some afternoon so I can capture them. Most are gung ho to come out.

I guess it all goes from there and you just build upon it.

[Chris71]

I advertised at my church, that I would give a free 8x10 to anyone that would come and be my guinea pig for portraits. I simply said no groups, and if they wanted more than an 8x10, they would have to purchase them. I had quite a few takers, and not a single one of them settled for just the 8x10. I gained lots of experience from that.

[lycan]

At first and still do use the great term TFCD. Most of the people and models i find on the net. I can find them in the modeling/photography forms and in MY Space.

My wife also models for me in some areas, and i or so do some self portraits.
I never spend money on hering models as i like them to pay me if they can...lol

[Epluim]

I advertised at my church, that I would give a free 8x10 to anyone that would come and be my guinea pig for portraits. I simply said no groups, and if they wanted more than an 8x10, they would have to purchase them. I had quite a few takers, and not a single one of them settled for just the 8x10. I gained lots of experience from that.

I was thinking about doing something similar.

BTW, what time of year do most seniors have their senior portaits done? Is it mostly in the summer and fall? Does it differ by area?