Experience with student portrait photographers?

HannaB

Hi,

I am looking to get some professional portrait photographs done with not-a-lot-of-money. I can see there are a lot of posts for this sort of thing on the Wedding board, but that's not what I'm after.

Does anyone have any experience of contacting a local Uni/college to have portrait photographs done by students?

Are there any questions I should be asking (about terms to use my face in portfolios, etc) when I make contact?

Thanks

H

Mummy_Jo

I am not sure about colleges but my hubby is a very keen photographer and as a family we have had lots of photos taken. One of the things students will struggle with is a studio setting. We have had some amazing family photos taken outside. The photographer followed us all round for a morning and photographed us while we played in the park with the kids. They are up on the wall now. You could potentially save money too by getting them mounted and framed yourself too. As for ownership - the photographer usually owns the image and even students would be able to do this... after all if they are helping you by getting it cheaper then there should be something in it for them too. Why don't you try contacting a local camera club - you may have some enthusiastic amatuers who have good equipment.

Whereabouts in the country are you?

Hope you get sorted

Jo

pig_let_cool

Hey, im actually a design student at college and did a photography course and still use the dept often, my college has 2 full studios and the students produce amazing images, i think its just a case of ringing the college and asking if its possible.
In regards s to portfolio terms, you will find that all students will want to fill there portfolio as much as possible so they would really only want to do this if they can use the images swell, perhaps take friendly approach and say that they can definately use atleast one image and you could discuss this after the shoot? Or agree that only images of yourself can be used so that would mean none including children etc

Its hit or miss wether you would be able to do it though, would be up to the lecturers first. Or as Mummy Jo said, try some local amatuers, i know my friends dad has very good equipment and is always looking to do more work

redbeard2000

You could browse modelmayhem(dot)com and search for photographers in your area (where it says 'state' keep scrolling and you'll see the British counties listed).

Although you probably aren't a model by trade, there are lots of budding photographers out there needing the practice who will gladly swap your time for free prints. Most of the photographers will list a website or other contact details in their profile, otherwise you have to sign up as a member in order to contact them through the site.

Ask them to provide a consent form and be sure they understand they cannot use their portraits of you for commercial purposes. To be fair though, you should give them permission to use a photo or two for their portfolio.

The usual rules for meeting people off the internet apply (meet in public, take along a friend, etc) because of the 'blokes with cameras' who will want you to pose in your knickers LOL. But if they've gone to the trouble of setting up their own website you can see yourself if they are legit.

ians5

Hi HannaB
A few legal blah-blah points to consider:

Unless you and the photographer sign a 'model release' or contract, their imagesof you that include your face or other personally unique or distinguishing features like tatoos etc) cannot usually, lawfully be used by the photographer for commercial gain. (ie marketing in a portfolio online or otherwise) However The absence of a release does not mean that they wont!
Irrisective of the above, image copyright remains with the person who pressed the button, not who in in the picture, where the picture was taken nor who owns the camera. The photographer can choose to give you reproduction rights to the images, this usually accompanies a disc of images.

when you buy a print this does not always intimate that you have repro rights to that image, just ownership of that print.

Note that most of the high street photography chains include a release within their standard account blah blah (as do facebook and snapfish to name but a few) so your image or face could be used for their marketing mateials or even sold on to an ad agency ...... with no notice to you and no payment to you ....:mad:

these are just some details to consider ...... I explain this to all my customers and limit the release they sign (or dont - cos it's their choice) to my own advertisement and use - I'll not sell your identity !

Whereabouts are you? I might be able to help indoor, outdoor, studio or your home, I have done portrait work in allsorts of venues.;)

HannaB

Wow, many thanks for the replies.

I'm based in Berkshire, but anywhere around Nottinghamshire or Yorkshire would do the trick too.

I might start emailing around a few Unis/colleges to see what I can find out.

yashica_boy

Hi Where in Berkshire? if not to far from heathrow i would be intrested in doing it if you haven't already got sorted
Best regards

Yashica Boy