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babuszka
10th of December 2008 (Wed), 00:21
I'm looking for a bit of advice.
I'm new to the 'world of photography' and I've been learning a lot. I'm currently attending a college and I'm in a position where there is no family near, no close friends, etc. Only me and my spouse.

Is there a good way to go about being able to practice taking portraiture when you are not in your native environment? I do not know anybody well enough to say "Come, let me take your picture" nor do I have the time with my extremely busy school schedule and part time work.

I am in a position, however, to take family pictures on breaks, but when that happens 1-2 times a year, there is a huge gap where I can be learning...A LOT.

Have any of you been in this position while studying and/or in a new place and what have you done to make things easier as in getting opportunities?

Sure, there may be public gatherings, festivals, etc., but portraiture takes a connection of some sort to the subject and building a relationship so the photographer can take the best picture of the subject to match their personality.

(I know the obvious answer is just to know someone and take pictures, but isn't the best way to learn portrait/glamour/child/etc. photography is to work with different people? Plus, I don't want to get to know somebody or befrend somebody JUST to take their picture...I'm not that mean :))

bobbyz
10th of December 2008 (Wed), 10:28
You are in college, isn't it? Put some sign up on those boards, like "free 8x10, need model".

queenbee288
11th of December 2008 (Thu), 12:09
I too suffered from available models when I first started out. I asked people to model for me and gave them a free 8x10.

babuszka
11th of December 2008 (Thu), 13:39
Appreciate the comments.
I hope I'm able to receive a good amount of responses; the town I live in isn't really big.

queenbee288
21st of December 2008 (Sun), 21:21
Carry your camera around with you. People will invariably comment on it. Tell them you are trying to learn portraiture but need models to practice with.

Collin85
26th of December 2008 (Fri), 10:11
I'm also a busy student - basically I get my friends to model for me. Assuming you have a few willing, photogenic friends, just offer them some free 'nice shots for your Facebook' in exchange for some modelling. Piece of cake! :)