Is it unprofessional?

[canonnoob]

Guys I need your opinion...

#1- So I was walking through this thing called the art walk where a few photogs had their studios open... well I had my camera with me and some of the photogs had asked me about it. So We sat and talked for alittle bit. I told them their stuff was great. (in reality it really was) but anway. I am a photography student at MSU and am wanting to get into the buisness later after school. So heres my question. Is it unprofessional to ask a pro photog if there are any openings for an assistant or "work horse"( carrying gear etc....) What do you guys think?

#2- Is it unprofessional to ask to see if I am allowed on the sideline of a college football game to shoot? MSU doesnt have a good football team nor a huge stadium like other schools but I really think It would be good for me. So what do you guys think?

Be honest....

[12mnkys]

can't hurt to ask...whats the worst they could do...say "no??"

[canonnoob]

^^See thats how I feel... but Im not sure... I dont want them looking at it as oh a begger... you know? lol stupid reason but true...

[20droger]

No, it is not unprofessional. It is never wrong to ask.

Virtually every professional started out menially. Very few were able to open a studio, print business cards, and move from beginner to "professional" in a single step.

[joedlh]

#1 I think most photographers who are not narcissistic boobs would be flattered that you asked. Moreover, if you don't ask, you might miss an opportunity.
#2 It's always helpful to ask, even if you're shy. Once, I took some shots at a low-end concert without asking and in the absence of any notices that forbade photography. I posted them to a web page and notified the bands that they were up there, saying that they could use the images on their web sites free of charge, with high res images available on request. One band was very grateful. The manager of a teenage singer asked me if they could use one on her CD jacket. The next day, he sent me a lawyerly order to remove the images from my web site. If I had talked to them first, I might have avoided this bit of unpleasantry. I think that they thought that the singer was going to be the next Britney Spears and they wanted to control all images of her from the get go. P.S. I never heard anything about her since.

[eddarr]

Ask in a professional manner and it will be professional. And the opposite is also true.

[canonnoob]

WOW.. the guy who I asked to shoot sidelines... he just called and said meet him at the stadium at 11:30-12 to get me a pass! WOOT!!!! Im happy now!!!

[12mnkys]

see...you never know until you ask! good luck!

[canonnoob]

Just got back and am uploading two cards.. we WON!!! 42-28... but anyway the photos turned out great.. ill make a thread and post some...