A Letter From a Photographer With Questions. We Try to Give Some AnswersDec 7, 2008 | by Don | Read | 2 Comments

I got the email below from John Magnus, a fan of the site. I think it may be a good way to address some of the concerns he has and also answer others who may be thinking of asking or doing the same thing. It is quite a detailed inquiry and I will try to answer as best I can.

I’m trying to expand my photography from hobbyist to a pro so that I’m working full time at it at least by the time I retire; probably 6 years from now. I’m 59. Given my overall life experience and the number of years I’ve been an avid hobbyist, I’m embarrassed to say how much I don’t know about working with models. Thus, the reason for sending you this email rather than posting a stream. I hope you don’t mind this approach.

Initially, I want to work with models breaking into their career and do TF work with them so we can both expand our portfolios. I’m doing this largely because I don’t have the money to pay hourly for an experienced model.

That’s my plan, but I’ll be damned if I know how to get it rolling. I’m signed up as a photog on MM, and have posted a few of the model photos in my Flickr stream on MM. If you look at them, that’s the extent of my experience working with models.

Sorry for the long email, but I had to set this up for you before asking some basic questions. BTW I chose you because I love your work (NO, I’m not complimenting you just to get a response. I’m serious.) and your opinions in streams generally seem to be pretty much in line with mine. Anyway, here goes.

If you were in my shoes, would you approach this differently? How?

(more…)